Millions of Americans struggle with addiction with family members falling right behind. When you experience addiction, your family comes along for the ride. It is important to have some guidelines when dealing with a loved one who has addiction because it is a difficult situation to cope with alone. Families can do a great deal to support a loved one with addiction. Find out some important do’s and don’ts.
Maintain Balance and Integrity
A loved one with addiction can draw you into using drugs or alcohol but don’t let that loved one convince you that you are wrong if you don’t see the problem. Don’t expect quick results asking your loved one to quit. This seldom works unless the person is ready. The compulsion to use drugs or alcohol is bigger than your loved one or the family.
Find the Right Program
Find the right rehab program for your loved one. If you have any choice, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions before choosing the right one. Find out how the program works and if you can speak to someone who finished. Programs that last longer are shown to be more successful but the main thing is to find one that focuses on empowering the individual, building life skills and supporting the person in quitting drugs or alcohol to rebuild their life one step at a time.
Stand By
Stand by your loved one but don’t get taken for granted. Sometimes you may feel the need to leave for safety reasons but you should always let the person know you love them and what you are doing is best for both yours and their own best interests.
Rehab or Bust
Insist that your loved one attend rehab rather than you living in fear of them losing their life. Find an effective program that will make this the only solution you are willing to accept (no promises, this must be it). Find a professional interventionist who has helped many people get into rehab and get your loved one to agree to this as the best, and only, option. There must be no other way than going to rehab because anything else can result in that person losing their life and livelihood to addiction. Rehab is not necessarily going to be the answer to all your problems with addiction. Addiction is a multi-faceted issue so your loved one may not be ready to quit. Do what you can to stand by your loved one and provide support, knowing you are able to provide unconditional love which will keep your loved one going through the long journey ahead.
Oceanfront believes in the power of families to transform the live of a loved one with addiction. If you are concerned about your loved one’s addiction to substances, please contact us to find out how we can help. We are here to provide support, services and treatment that will be tailored to meet their needs where they are at right now. Call us at 811-279-1777 for more information.
