Three Ways to Support A Family Member Dealing With Addiction

Drug addiction is not only a personal battle.  Oftentimes it is an all-out war that involves friends and family, causing devastating financial and emotional strife for many. What can you do about drug addiction in the family?  Here are three ways to support a family member dealing with addiction.

 

Educate Yourself on Substance Abuse

One of the most important things you can do to find firm footing in this situation is to educate yourself about addiction.  Trying to approach the matter in a calm, responsible manner will be impossible if you don’t know enough about it.  You will merely find yourself caught off guard and end up frustrated, disappointed, angry and heartbroken. Get the facts online and in books.  Read others’ experiences with drug addiction.  Listen to experts’ accounts of typical behavior, which may vary depending on the substance one is addicted to.  Learn how to predict your loved one’s behavior and how to best approach the situation. One caveat: when reading about substance abuse online, be sure to get your information from trusted sources.  There is a lot of information on the Internet, but not everything you read is an accurate account.  It is best to get more than one source and to compare it to what you have observed yourself and what you know to be true. Treatment organizations such as Al-Anon and Narconon offer information and support for dealing with the addict and can help you quickly understand the realities of addiction and recovery.  Such programs can be very helpful in your own recovery from the emotional effects of a relationship with an active addict.

 

Seek Professional Help for Addiction

While your intentions may be good, it is not advisable to try grappling with your loved one’s addiction yourself.  There are a number of detox clinics and rehabilitation centers that have a team of experienced professionals there to help your loved one through his addiction.  Detoxification is only one step toward recovery; your loved one will also need to address his reasons for addiction and prepare to face life without drugs.  This is not as easy as it sounds. If you do not want to enroll your loved one in a clinic, look for a local support group to provide consistent help, often on a daily basis.  These groups usually offer anonymous support and a network of individuals who have conquered their addictions and promote drug-free living. Regardless of which route you choose, it is essential that you encourage your loved one to seek help.  Do not ignore his or her drug abuse.  No matter how difficult, draw attention to the addiction and the strain it is putting on the family or relationship.  Out of love and care, urge your loved one to visit a clinic or support group and break free from the shackles of addiction.

 

Persist, but Set Boundaries

It is important that you draw the line between support and enabling.  While you must do all that you can to get your loved one to seek help, ultimately it is he or she who must make this decision.  Offer your emotional support, but do not give money or allow him to continue to buy drugs or alcohol. One way to do this is to improve your communication skills so that you know how to talk to your loved one without a lot of drama.  Focus on conversations that make progress toward seeking help.  Avoid blame, regret, threats and shouting matches. It is important that you know your limits and do not allow unacceptable behavior.  Do not be afraid to cut ties or separate yourself temporarily if necessary.  Actions to warrant this may include violent or abusive behavior, behavior that endangers the home or other loved ones (such as using drugs near children or conducting drug deals at home), or threatening the family’s economic stability.  You are only going to make matters worse if you allow such behavior to continue.