What can families do to cope with a loved one's addiction? - Brazos Recovery

Coping with a Loved One’s Addiction: A Guide for Families

It can be as if an addiction of a loved one sucks everybody into the vortex of uncertainty, fear, and heartbreak. An addiction doesn’t just take its toll on one person; it actually affects all those around that person. At times, the emotional burden for everyone concerned may be overwhelming, leaving feelings of helplessness, anger, and sorrow. There are constructive ways, however, that a family can address this difficult situation and support themselves and their loved one on their way through recovery.

Understanding Addiction as a Family Disease

Addiction has been referred to as a “family disease.” As such, it takes into consideration the effects of the addiction on the entire family unit rather than just on the individual with substance use. Perhaps the first step in being able to understand such a concept involves the realization that in addiction, the need for support and healing is definitely required for all family members and not just for the addict himself.

First, there needs to be an education of the families about addiction. Once people understand that addiction is a chronic disease and not a moral failure or weakness, it changes the dynamics and places less blame. Once the family members can recognize the complexity of the genetic, psychological, and environmental factors that go into addiction, it is much easier to approach with compassion and empathy.

Setting Limits with the Addict 

Setting and maintaining healthy boundaries is one of the most challenging areas for the family to deal with in a loved one’s addiction. Many times, families get caught up in a type of vicious cycle enabling-such as covering for the mistakes an addict makes or offering finances that feed the substances. Though coming out of love and concern, these actions further enable and keep the vicious circle of addiction going.

Setting boundaries means taking care of your well-being while still helping your loved one in a positive and healthy manner. Sometimes this means refusing to give money that could be used for drugs or alcohol, and other times it’s insisting that your loved one seeks treatment as a condition of support. These should be well defined, consistent, and communicated in a loving manner, in such a way that they are established because one cares about the addict, as well as the other family members.

Professional Help for Substance use Disorder

Professional help is often necessary, not only for the individual addict but also the family. Individual or group therapy can provide family members with an opportunity to discuss their feelings, learn how to cope more effectively, and be guided on ways to support the addicted individual most constructively. A good resource would be Brazos Recovery.

Family therapy is particularly effective, as it works with dynamics within a family that contribute to or are affected by the addiction. A trained therapist can lead the family members through tough conversations and help old wounds begin to heal.

Support groups like Al-Anon and Nar-Anon provide specific resources for families and friends of addicts. They will offer the comforts of community and understanding. These groups can offer a place where one might share experiences, seek more information, and find encouragement from others in similar situations.

Self-Care During Addiction

As sad as it may sound, in the process of taking care of a loved one who has issues with addiction, many families forget to look after their own needs. Self-care is not an option or a luxury, but a basic need. In order to look after someone else efficiently, you have to look after your own needs.

This may be physical self-care of the diet, exercise, and sleep variety; emotional support through therapy, journaling, and hanging out with friends; or participation in activities that are joyful and relaxing. Examples include hobbies, walks in nature, or even just a few moments each day dedicated to breathing deeply and decompressing.

Remember, self-care is not a selfish act but one that is very important in the long term to allow you to continue to nurture your strength and resilience.

Guilt and Blame: Avoiding the Trap for Recovery

Families of addicts often bear overwhelming feelings of guilt and blame. They may wonder whether they somehow caused the addiction, whether they missed warning signs, or whether they could have done something to prevent it. These feelings are normal but can be very destructive.

Addiction is a disease that involves many factors. Blaming oneself or others will not change anything, nor will it help in the recovery of the loved one. The solution for recovery and healing comes with what can be done in the present to support recovery and healing.

This stepping off the stage of guilt and blame is incredibly freeing. It allows the family to progress on a much clearer footing, free from the weight of past “what ifs.” Sometimes, such a changed perspective opens doors for more positive interaction, even constructive communication with an active addict.

Encouraging Treatment and Supporting Recovery

While as a family, one cannot get their loved one treated, they can definitely motivate them to do so. Showing care in a non-judgmental manner and offering to help them get treatment can often lead to an addict taking the first step toward recovery.

If your loved one agrees to seek help, that is not the end of your role. Recovery is a long process, quite difficult, and needs everyday support. A family can be really helpful in providing encouragement, celebrating small victories, and keeping the addict responsible for his recovery goals.

Second, it is equally significant that you learn about recovery as well because the process can get pretty ups-and-down. Sometimes, there may be a certain chance of relapse, but the relapse itself does not mean failure. Instead of reacting with disappointment or anger, try to offer understanding and further support by encouraging your loved one to get back on track.

Creating a Supportive and Sober Environment

Accommodating a more enabling home atmosphere can help to a large extent in the recovery of your loved one. This may be as specific as removing substances from the home by yourself modeling positive behavior by not using substances and encouraging open and honest communication.

It is also very encouraging to take part in healthy activities-abstinence from the same substance, exercise, hobbies, or spending time in nature-that can also be very helpful for your loved one to find fulfillment and purpose beyond their addiction. The more positive and supportive the environment is, the greater the chances are that recovery may be long-lasting.

Conclusion

One of the greatest challenges a family can face is knowing how to handle a loved one’s addiction. Families make such a journey in resilience and hope through understanding addiction, setting healthy boundaries, seeking professional help, practicing self-care, and ongoing support.

Remember, you are by no means alone. There are so many resources, support groups, and professions out there like Brazos Recovery to help you and your loved one through this process. With the right support in place, including strategies, it is possible to heal and rebuild both individually and as a family.