Addiction is a long journey of loneliness, frustration, and learning. There can be a lot of advice from well-meaning people on how to help your loved one who suffers from addiction. Coping with a loved one’s addiction is very overwhelming and stressful for family and friends.
Addiction is complicated, but there are ways you can help.
- Educate yourself. Learning about addiction can help you understand what exactly your loved one is going through and what you can expect.
- Set boundaries. If you live with your loved one and are not comfortable with drugs or alcohol being around, set boundaries and follow through with consequences.
- Plan an intervention. Encourage your loved one to get help. Include family and friends who are impacted by the addiction. Everyone involved should write down how their loved one’s addictive behavior makes them feel. When a person is addicted to drugs or alcohol, he or she might not realize the serious consequences of their actions. Talk about how you feel in the intervention.
- Offer support. Addiction is isolating. When your loved one knows how much you care, you can be an influence on their lifelong journey to recovery.
- Use positive and encouraging words. This will let your loved one know how much you care. Using negative, belittling, or shameful language only reinforces any guilt, depression, or shame the person already feels.
- Take care of yourself. Addiction is stressful. Remember to take care of yourself and find support for you. Get enough sleep, exercise, and eat nutritious food.
- Do NOT shame or lecture. People who suffer from addiction can already feel ashamed, helpless, and struggle with low self-esteem.
Often people with PTSD, anxiety, or depression turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. Understanding the relationship between addiction and mental health can help your loved one in his or her recovery process. Showing support for your loved one will help them see that you are there for them in their time of need. Compassion, understanding, and encouragement will help your loved one on his or her journey in recovery.
Getting help
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, you are not alone. While there is no cure for addiction, it is treatable. Take the first step toward a healthy, fulfilling, life in sobriety and get help today. Do not let the stigma prevent you from getting the help you need. Asking for help is the first step to a healthy and fulfilling life in sobriety.
Offering a full range of recovery and mental health services, Valiant Living offers “Expanded Recovery” to enrich our clients’ lives in mind, body, and spirit. Through evidence-based therapy options and the endless adventure of Colorado, Valiant fosters connection, encouraging clients to get connected to themselves, their peers, their families, and their higher power. With the power of recovery, clients are restored to full health and experience life-changing healing. Call us today for more information: 303-536-5463
