Now that your loved one has started receiving treatment for their drug and/or alcohol addiction, you may be under the impression that you are free and clear. You may believe that all the problems have gone away since no more drinking or drug use is going on. The truth of the matter is that there is more work than ever that needs to be done. Not just by your loved one attempting to remain clean and sober, but for you so you can process what has happened.
Although you may not be the one who has the problem with drugs and alcohol, you are still affected. Whether you feel angry from being used, enabling the addiction, or becoming codependent on them, you will need to work out what you are feeling. Going through all the emotions that have been uncovered will inadvertently take a toll on you, regardless if you see it or not. You should get help for yourself to move forward in a healing manner, and here are the best reasons why.
You Can Leave the Past Behind
Instead of ruminating in their negativity, you can decide to live in recovery and move away from the past. You are only hurting yourself when you are stewing about what has happened rather than living in today’s solution. Your loved one is either still numbing their pain or working through it with their recovery measures. Either way, they are trying to cope while you are still living in your pain. This is the time to leave the past behind and move forward in clarity to take your life back.
You Can Get the Support You Need
Having to be around someone with an addiction is a lot to take in. You are not meant to go through this alone. You were meant to have assistance from a therapist or others in Al-Anon or Nar-Anon who understand what you are going through. Once you get the support you need, you can learn to better communicate with your addicted loved one without criticizing, blaming, or enabling them any longer. You will also learn how to set healthy boundaries that will be useful to everyone involved.
All you need to do is be perceptive enough to grasp the guidance and support you can find in recovery. The great thing about getting help is the healthcare professionals and those already in recovery who can guide you in the right direction when you maybe have no idea what to do. Once your loved one gets out of their treatment, you will be better equipped to handle anything that comes your way through your recovery efforts.
Addiction affects everyone it comes into contact with. Valiant Living has created a community of recovering people and professionals who support each other in creating a modern and individualized version of deep recovery. Offering a full range of recovery and mental health services, Valiant Living offers “Expanded Recovery” to enrich our clients’ lives. 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. Call us today to start living in your recovery at (303) 952-5035.
