Women's experiences living with a family member's substance misuse

Substance misuse affects both the individual concerned and family functioning with family members both in need of adequate support and critical in recovery oriented care

Background: Research has shown that substance misuse may have significant consequences for the mental and physical health and wellbeing of other family members. Women are affected by this more frequently than men. These negative consquences persist over time and vary by relationship status.
Aim: To explore how women experience and are affected by substance misuse in the family.
Method: A metaphorical analysis of narrative interviews with 11 daughters and 5 wives of older adults (> 65 years) affected by substance misuse.
Results: We identified four primary themes pertaining to womens': 1. experiences (chaos and crash and walking on eggshells); 2. coping strategies (complicity and silencing); 3. dilemmas (deceit or disease and 'open' or 'closed' dilemmas); and 4. consequences (identity, health and varying kinds of help).
Conclusion: Living with a parent or partner's substance misuse use was represented as chaotic, unsafe, uncertain, with women experiencing limited hope and scope for change. This study shows how metaphors may be used to mediate traumatic experiences rooted in negative emotions, and represent important 'tools' for communicatiing experiences that may be difficult to address due to the associated shame and stigma.