If you have a loved one suffering from addition, it can be difficult to
know what to do. Sometimes, families can let their love cloud their
judgment. They end up reinforcing the addict's negative behaviors.
Instead of helping their family member to a full recovery, they end up
becoming codependent. Codependency is when someone inhibits an addict's
ability to recover. Codependency usually occurs when family members
refuse to let the addict hit rock bottom. Unless an addicted individual
experiences the full effect of the negative consequences of drug
addiction, they will never stop using drugs. Although you should not
shelter a family member from the consequences of drug abuse, there are
many other ways that you can help.
Many individuals distance themselves from a family member suffering
from addiction. They are so afraid of causing codependency that they
emotionally withdraw from the addict. However, shunning an addict
completely can be just as bad as fostering codependency. Family members
are not the only enablers. Your family member might go live with fellow
addicts. You can keep an addict close to you without enabling their
drug addiction. Let your family member know that the entire family
wants their recovery.
Your family roles involve being supportive, caring, and understanding.
The most important role the family can fill, however, is encouraging an
addict to get drug addiction treatment. Although recovery is only
possible when an addict actually wants to recover, the encouragement of
the family can prompt the addict to take assessment of their life and
drug abuse. If someone you love is suffering from drug addiction, you
should never give them money. Encourage them to seek help.
Additionally, each family member should remember that they have
emotional needs as well. Dealing with and trying to help an addict can
be emotionally draining. If trying to help a loved one is causing you
emotional strain, seek help. Just as addicts need help to get clean,
family members sometimes need outside intervention as well. If your
family member is in rehab, make sure you take advantage of family
counseling at the rehab center. The therapists who work with addiction
sufferers know what you are going through. These addiction
professionals can tell you about appropriate family roles. They will
also be able to help you with your own, personal issues. Often the
family members of an addiction sufferer experience anger and
depression. This anger is often directed both at the self and at the
addict. Counselors can help family members deal with those feelings so
that they can better help their loved one recover. If you do not have
access to a family therapy program through a treatment center, seek
private therapy. It is important that you remain emotionally strong
enough to effectively help your family member achieve recovery.
Do not be afraid to let your loved one hit bottom. Let your loved one
know that when they are ready to begin the recovery process, you and
your other family members will be there to help.