Addiction has single handedly changed the course of our lives in this country moving across race, gender, ethnicity and social economic status. It has created a devastating impact on our loved ones and when linked with mental illness it has shown to decrease the life expectancy of the adult male. We have all heard the statement “addiction is a disease” but we have less often spoken of the impact of this disease on the family. The family of an addicted loved one often live for extended periods of time in a crisis cycle. They struggle with fear, anger, sadness and grief all while battling the disease in attempts to save the life of their loved one. Mothers, Fathers, brothers, sisters, spouses, and partners all live each day trying desperately to balance fighting disease of addiction and supporting their family member. Children are exposed to the devastating impact of the addicted mother or father all while lacking the stability or safety of the healthy parent. This presentation will review these impacts on the family and children, highlighting areas to create support for these often silent sufferers of this disease. Join us in a learning opportunity of a crisis cycle that affects nearly everyone in our practice on some way. Addiction in the family.