Objectives: the present study was carried out in consideration of the decisive role of family variables in the development, persistence and treatment of psychological disorders, and the nature of the relationship between disorders and drug abuse, and the significance of these relationships in planning treatment and preventive measures. Method: family characteristics and the role of these variables in the development of drug abuse were studied among 24 male drug addicts who had referred to a private physician over a period of two years. Findings: the study demonstrated that substance abuse disorders are related to the quality of family relations, overprotection by father and mother, and socio-economic conditions of the family. In addition, a significant difference was found between the subjects who live with both parents and those who only live with their mother, in terms of mother's overprotection, starting age of the first substance abuse experiences, addiction age, and self respect. Results: the results demonstrated that, imposition of responsibilities on the son due to the father's absence, along with mother's overprotection, and development of false self confidence in the son are among the family characteristics of young addicts.