Impact of Drug and Alcohol Use on Family, Work, Emotional and Leisure Time Life

Abstract

While numerous studies examine the characteristics of families affected by psychoactive substance (PAS) use, less attention has been given to the broader impact of substance use on key aspects of family life. This study explores the effects of PAS consumption on four dimensions: family dynamics, work, emotional well-being, and leisure time. A 30-item instrument was developed and administered to 681 family members of individuals receiving treatment for PAS consumption at 17 specialised centres nationwide. Data were collected electronically with the assistance of trained therapists and analysed using the pandas library for data processing and matplotlib for data visualisation. Results indicate that all dimensions were negatively affected, with family dynamics showing the most significant deterioration, characterised by increased conflict and tension. Emotional well-being, leisure time and work productivity were also adversely impacted. This study offers initial insights into an under-researched area and highlights the need for targeted preventive and therapeutic interventions.