One of the most effective ways you can work to prevent the dangers of drug abuse is by learning what, exactly, those dangers are so that you can better understand the nature of the problem and share that information with people around you.
To make it easier, next are some of the most common ways drug abuse can be deeply hurtful to others and the people you love. With this knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to protect yourself and your loved ones from danger.
• It Hurts Your Romantic Relationships
Healthy romantic relationships are built on a foundation of trust. Unfortunately, drug abuse commonly leads people to engage in deceitful behaviors that breach that trust. Dishonesty about money spent on the drug, lying about whereabouts, or not being forthcoming about the use of the drug are some of the ways trust, and ultimately relationships, can be destroyed due to drug abuse.
• It Hurts Your Friendships
In addition to the deceit that commonly accompanies drug abuse, detrimental personality changes can arise, too. Having a short temper, lack of patience, decreased interest in others, and self-serving habits are all prevalent behaviors stemming from drug abuse that can negatively impact your friendships.
• It Hurts Your Family Relationships
Generally, the more someone abuses drugs, the more their priorities shift toward their drug of choice. For instance, an important family event, such as a wedding or baby shower, will often take a backseat to a person’s drug use. Prioritizing a drug over loved ones can very quickly lead to self-alienation and tarnished or broken family relationships.
• It Hurts People You Don’t Know
Even people with no relationship to the person abusing drugs can be severely impacted by that person’s use. Car accidents as a result of driving under the influence, burglary, assault, and other harmful behaviors are much more common among those abusing drugs, and, as such, put innocent bystanders at a much greater risk of being harmed.
• It Hurts Your Community
Communities rife with drug use and abuse tend to reflect the problem in negative ways. There are more drug dealers, break-ins, instances of prostitution, and other criminal behaviors that threaten the safety and security of a community.
