Addiction affects everyone in a family, here are things you can do.
When someone close to you suffers from addiction, it can be difficult to know what you can do to improve the situation. Addicts’ behaviors can isolate and put distance between them and you, which may leave you feeling isolated, frustrated, and angry. But even though addiction can affect everyone in a family, there are things you can do. You are not helpless in helping your loved one overcome addiction.
Some of the most effective things you can do to respond to addiction in your family are to educate yourself so that you can determine whether and how to intervene and then support your loved one as they work to overcome addiction.
Education
The first thing you can do is educate yourself about addiction and the behaviors associated with it. Learn about what leads to addictive behavior and identify the resources and support you have available in dealing with it. This research can include reaching out to a facility like ours or support groups. It’s essential that you know you are not alone in dealing with an addiction problem and that you know that there are resources available.
If you or a loved one is battling with addiction, we strongly encourage you to reach out to us and let us discuss your options and ways that we can help. You can learn more about our program in our frequently asked questions.
As you educate yourself about the sources of addiction and the behaviors in which your loved one engages, you may find that you will start to have a better understanding of the causes underlying your loved one’s addiction. Knowledge tends to lead to compassion and care. This knowledge can help you with developing a plan to intervene and discuss treatment options with your loved one. Feelings of resentment or anger can make it difficult to have a productive conversation about a complicated subject like addiction.
Intervention
Deciding to intervene and discuss your loved one’s addiction is an important step toward their recovery. It is important to remain compassionate and understanding while resolute that the addictive behaviors are detrimental and need to change. Often, family members and loved ones express a desire to prevent their loved one from hitting bottom or some worst-case scenario. If the person suffering with addiction responds positively to the intervention, they may be open to seeking treatment and attending a facility.
Support
Once your loved one decides to seek treatment and change the addictive behaviors, the loved one’s role shifts from intervention to support. Strong support from the family of close friends can be an enormous benefit to someone going through rehabilitation for addiction. This support can come in many ways.
You can choose to abstain from substances and behaviors associated with substances to help your loved one avoid the temptations or patterns of action that led to use of the substance. Limiting exposure to the substance of abuse, especially while a person is going through detoxification or withdrawal, can help them stay resolute in their decision to overcome their addiction.
You can support them emotionally; send letters, call them, keep in touch and let them know you are proud of the work they are doing to improve themselves. Remind them that they are not alone and try to avoid revisiting past fights and hardships that may hasten addiction relapse. This support is very helpful if your loved one decides that they would like to attend an inpatient rehab facility. Be available and encouraging to support your loved one as he/she goes through the process of rehabilitation.
At Gulf Breeze Recovery, we intimately understand the difficulty of responding to addictive behavior. While our focus is on treating your loved one and helping them recover, we realize that rehabilitation can be a family affair. If you or your loved one is struggling with addiction, please contact us and find out how we can help.
For information, an Addiction Expert is ready to hear from you or your loved one 855-973-3551.
Addiction affects everyone in a family, here are things you can do.
When someone close to you suffers from addiction, it can be difficult to know what you can do to improve the situation. Addicts’ behaviors can isolate and put distance between them and you, which may leave you feeling isolated, frustrated, and angry. But even though addiction can affect everyone in a family, there are things you can do. You are not helpless in helping your loved one overcome addiction.
Some of the most effective things you can do to respond to addiction in your family are to educate yourself so that you can determine whether and how to intervene and then support your loved one as they work to overcome addiction.
Education
The first thing you can do is educate yourself about addiction and the behaviors associated with it. Learn about what leads to addictive behavior and identify the resources and support you have available in dealing with it. This research can include reaching out to a facility like ours or support groups. It’s essential that you know you are not alone in dealing with an addiction problem and that you know that there are resources available.
If you or a loved one is battling with addiction, we strongly encourage you to reach out to us and let us discuss your options and ways that we can help. You can learn more about our program in our frequently asked questions.
As you educate yourself about the sources of addiction and the behaviors in which your loved one engages, you may find that you will start to have a better understanding of the causes underlying your loved one’s addiction. Knowledge tends to lead to compassion and care. This knowledge can help you with developing a plan to intervene and discuss treatment options with your loved one. Feelings of resentment or anger can make it difficult to have a productive conversation about a complicated subject like addiction.
Intervention
Deciding to intervene and discuss your loved one’s addiction is an important step toward their recovery. It is important to remain compassionate and understanding while resolute that the addictive behaviors are detrimental and need to change. Often, family members and loved ones express a desire to prevent their loved one from hitting bottom or some worst-case scenario. If the person suffering with addiction responds positively to the intervention, they may be open to seeking treatment and attending a facility.
Support
Once your loved one decides to seek treatment and change the addictive behaviors, the loved one’s role shifts from intervention to support. Strong support from the family of close friends can be an enormous benefit to someone going through rehabilitation for addiction. This support can come in many ways.
You can choose to abstain from substances and behaviors associated with substances to help your loved one avoid the temptations or patterns of action that led to use of the substance. Limiting exposure to the substance of abuse, especially while a person is going through detoxification or withdrawal, can help them stay resolute in their decision to overcome their addiction.
You can support them emotionally; send letters, call them, keep in touch and let them know you are proud of the work they are doing to improve themselves. Remind them that they are not alone and try to avoid revisiting past fights and hardships that may hasten addiction relapse. This support is very helpful if your loved one decides that they would like to attend an inpatient rehab facility. Be available and encouraging to support your loved one as he/she goes through the process of rehabilitation.
At Gulf Breeze Recovery, we intimately understand the difficulty of responding to addictive behavior. While our focus is on treating your loved one and helping them recover, we realize that rehabilitation can be a family affair. If you or your loved one is struggling with addiction, please contact us and find out how we can help.
For information, an Addiction Expert is ready to hear from you or your loved one 855-973-3551.
