Addiction is a struggle that a number of individuals are faced with on a daily basis—whether it be alcohol, drugs, or both—as it affects their personal life, work life, and a number of other aspects and areas of their lives. For, they not only begin to lose their sense of self, but may find themselves experiencing a loss in their surroundings—such as; family, friends, job, etc. However, what many fail to realize is the effect it can have on them legally as well, if steps aren’t taken ahead of time to help them towards recovery.

First and foremost is alcohol, which can cause a series of problems in relationships, and behind the wheel. For, a number of domestic abuse incidents happen in the midst of such. In relation, domestic abuse is defined as, “violent or aggressive behavior within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or partner.” We oftentimes see an example of this when one has been drinking because alcohol reduces our ability to think straight. Therefore, when we begin to consume it in excess (to the point of intoxication), we lose the ability to think how we normally would—with a sober mind, and/or consciousness. As a result of such, this can cause aggression to take place within one’s partner, and vice versa, simply by a misinterpretation of a social cue, and other such factors.

Secondly, individuals can face great legal consequences if they make the drunk-minded decision to drink, and get behind the wheel. Through doing such, he/she not only puts his/her life in jeopardy, but the lives of others. For, they can begin to misinterpret the speed that they are going, and take away the life of another. This can cause great grief for that other person’s family, leaving the individual himself/herself with jail time due to the death of another. However, these are only some of the legal consequences that one is faced with when he/she drinks; the consequences of drug use are similar.

When individuals consume drugs—no matter the kind—they begin to not only harm their body physically through the use of such, but experience financial pitfalls. Despite popular belief, while those who are faced with an addiction to drugs may find themselves giving up whatever money—and/or assets—they have to obtain such, financial downfalls also happen through the legal consequences of losing one’s driver’s license, revoking one’s professional license, and/or a criminal records (which can detail specific things such as one’s arrest, his/her jail time, and his/her history of drug abuse). This, in turn, can cause hardship to take place in the individual’s life by prohibiting them from obtaining a job.

In conclusion, alcohol and drug abuse are something that can cause great severity in the lives of those who are faced with such. Therefore, it is best that one gets help before it is too late. It is then that individuals who are struggling with addiction can allow themselves the opportunity to heal through recovery, and get their life back, rather than losing all the people they hold dear, along with their assets.