The Reason

I wanted to share the reason why I decided to do a blog on how substance abuse affects more than just the person abusing the substance real quick. Unfortunately, this issue hits close to home for me. I have a relative who is a substance abuser (alcohol and pills, perhaps others as well) and it really does affect the family relationship. Back when I was younger, we (that being my brother and cousin) would spend a lot of time with her and she would take us many places. She even took us to see our favorite cartoon movie the night it came out in theaters-I still remember that very night. However, things would not last this way. Over the past 5 years or so (maybe even longer), she has become involved with pills and excessive alcohol consumption. She has been to jail and the hospital within the past year and a half and she has stolen from our house. To be honest, my siblings, cousins, and I don't know how to deal with this. It affects us directly because 1.) She stole money from my brother and I that we need for our car payments 2.) We can't really invite her over for parties because she will drink too much alcohol and take pills and then attempt to drive home with her kids in the car (not that we don't try to stop her) and 3.) She endangers my younger cousins when she takes these actions and thus not in the state to take care of them. I've said something to my cousin and brother about how I'm more worried about her kids than anything because they're taking the punishment more than anyone else. They're growing up too fast for their own good; but they don't really have a choice in the matter because of the actions their mother has taken.