Addiction Is a Family Disease — And That’s Why We Must Talk About It

“Addiction doesn’t happen in isolation. It’s a family disease.”

Sunday Kapesi

For too long, we’ve focused only on the addict. Their substance use. Their relapse. Their “bad company.”

But what about the family?

• The spouse who rescues.
• The parent who covers up.
• The colleague who looks the other way.

Out of love or fear, families fall into silence, codependency, or enabling — and the disease spreads.

My Story

My own addiction was triggered by grief after losing my father. Substances became my way to cope.

Some dismissed it as an excuse and shame on them. But ADHD, depression, anxiety, and grief aren’t excuses I made— they’re clinically diagnosed conditions I had and me and my family were umaware of, and those diagnosis shaped how my addiction and my recovery unfolded.

The Hard Truth

You can send someone to rehab or counselling, where they gain self-awareness and tools to rebuild their life.

But if they return to a toxic home environment that hasn’t changed, relapse is more likely than recovery and the destructive cycle repeats itself; often with a vengeance.

Addiction recovery isn’t just about the individual. It’s about the system around them.

Common Myths We Must Break

• Myth 1: Addiction is only the addict’s problem. In reality, it thrives in family systems.

• Myth 2: Mental health struggles are excuses. In reality, they are real, diagnosable conditions.

• Myth 3: Success means someone is “fine.” In reality, many functional addicts hide behind achievements. Those around them excuse certain destructive behaviours by focusing on the persons productivity and good standing.

So, What Now?

Prevention and sustained recovery are only possible when we:

• Build awareness
• Encourage education & counseling
• Join support groups
• Have honest conversations that dismantle silence and stigma

Healing the family is just as critical as healing the addict.

My Challenge to You

If you’re in recovery, a functional addict, a professional, or a caregiver:

Ask yourself — What role does my environment play? What cycles need breaking? What conversations must we finally have?

Healing is not done alone. Recovery is a collective responsibility — and it begins with awareness.

We don’t recover alone — we recover together.

Suggested reading: It’s Not About You, It’s About the Family — Terry Gorski

And remember, be it you the addict or you the family, should you be struggling; ASK FOF HELP. RECEIVE THAT HELP. PAY THAT HELP FORWARD