Some people struggle to maintain a relationship with those who fall victim to drug or alcohol addiction. All ends of family members, friends, and loved ones struggle with finding a way to help the person they care about. The stress and damage that trails after drug or alcohol addiction work towards destroying the bonds between people and end up erasing friendships and family ties. But this does not have to be the route everyone follows. With forgiveness and patience, healing can occur.
While suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, people often change from the way they used to be, when they were sober. Drug addiction brings depression and anxiety to social functioning. It is as if a concrete wall is put between the afflicted person and the world of people around them. Because of the delusions brought by continual abuse, it becomes very hard to break through that wall to try and instill any sense for good health within these people.
This difficulty can become so frustrating for loved ones that the first response is to give up and ignore the problem for some time longer. This can be one of the worse decisions to make; it doesn’t help any person in the situation. It is still undeniable that dealing with an addicted person brings on more stress than any one person can handle. As the grip of the drug addiction gets worse, there is often more and more destructive behavior that develops. It is common for stealing, lying, and other criminal behavior to occur. Families are often the first to deal with negative outcomes such as these.
Complete intolerance to an addicted person is the avenue in which many people choose to deal with the problem, it can often drive the person deeper into despair and hopelessness. However, it is not recommended to help facilitate people who are addicted to drugs. Giving the addicted individual money, drugs, or a place to use is enabling. Just as shutting them out is harmful to the delicate state of mind many substance abusers are in, enabling them to continue can just as easily destroy any grip on reality and order.
The entire process can be very confusing when children are involved. Some boundaries cannot be crossed, and others must be handled carefully. The right approach to confronting, and helping a loved one conquer addiction is never the same. The route varies just as each person varies in characteristics and personality. A harsh confrontation can drive an addicted person further away from help and sober living. The tough-love approach is exactly what is needed to help them wake up.
Others find it effective to remain loving friends and family, they do not allow for enabling in any shape or form. The best way to decide whether the addicted person you care for is in a state in which they can be open to receiving treatment for their addiction, and how to assist them in finding it, is by actually seeking help first.
It is helpful for any person hoping to assist someone recovering from drug abuse, to speak to a licensed therapist or health professional to find out what treatment options are available and which could be the most beneficial. They can also help with learning how to speak with an addicted individual since often denial and anger cloud their judgment and impair their ability to consider an alternative to their destructive lifestyle. So if your family member is going through drug or alcohol addiction, help them and support them while they are trying so hard to recover. Contact us to get yourself the best treatment to get rid of the addiction.