While it may not seem like it, many addicts have not chosen the path of addiction themselves. Instead, they may have voluntarily started drinking, using drugs, or spending too much time on the Internet. But that’s likely because they didn’t know how weak they were, so they couldn’t resist those temptations.
Many factors probably influenced the occurrence of addiction in your loved ones. Most often, these are some problems that they hide from others. You should be aware of that when a family member admits to being an addict.
Your initial reaction will be anger, stress, and disappointment, and that’s perfectly normal. But you need to pull yourself together and realize that you need to help a loved person in trouble. Again, it is the family and support of loved ones that can be crucial to the recovery of addicts.
When is family a helpful support system? Whenever they are actively engaged in the recovery process. Experts from Littleton rehab centers explain that the support the close people offer can strengthen the family system. Close people can motivate and reinforce changes in the person with an addiction problem. They need you to encourage and support their decision to start rehab.
Roles of Family Members in Addiction
Family members react differently to the addict. Some are angry, try to influence them, or blend in with the addict. Unconsciously, they take different roles in addiction, affecting each other in various ways. The family member may become a scapegoat, hero, lost child, or enabler to cope with the addict’s behavior.
The role of the Lost Child belongs to a person who withdraws from the problem. Mascots and Scapegoats divert attention from the real problem in their ways. And there is always a Hero who tries to present the whole situation better than it is. Usually, one or more members become Enablers in the desire to solve the problem. But they only make it worse.
When family members act differently, it confuses them, and the solution to the problem is far away. But when they understand the nature of addiction and their ‘roles’ in it, they can help each other through this difficult time. So everyone should take the same or similar attitude towards the person in trouble – supportive, but firm and encouraging but not enabling.
Enablers
Addiction recovery will become increasingly difficult if the family has an enabler. Some members are more prone to enable than others. Enablers don’t create boundaries with the addict and may even make excuses for the addiction. While they may think they are protecting the person in trouble, they are simply masking the larger problem.
Enablers are in denial about their loved one’s addiction. And when they don’t admit it, they actually support it. So they create a dependency relationship between them and the addict. That’s a very unhealthy approach.
Enabling is a form of cover-up. The abuser becomes defiant and lashes out at family members while the enabler tries to keep the household together. This pattern keeps the addiction cycle going by diverting attention away from the addicts and their need for help. So enablers must be honest with themselves and understand the full implications of their actions.
On the source below, see how to spot and prevent enabling:
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/enabling-101-how-love-becomes-fear-and-help-becomes-control-1018134
Healthy Support
A family with an addict is likely to have chaotic living conditions, heightened tensions, and a lack of trust. You have to change these conditions to support a person in trouble, take a supportive role, and set healthy boundaries. You can participate with emotional support, financial and legal assistance, a place to live, or a professional intervention.
In order to get involved in the addict’s rehab, families can start seeing a therapist. Professionals will teach them about addiction, and that delaying treatment may result in the development of worse problems. Also, they can explain how some things should change in order to support recovery.
Many peoples focus on providing support to the family member in trouble and forget to support each other. You can forget about your own needs and desires as you devote yourself to an addict completely. That’s not good for anyone. As addiction is a disease that affects the entire family, you must support each other to cope with this problem together.
Holding Addicts Accountable
Families can provide a valuable source of accountability for an addict during recovery. These people may not be motivated to give up substance abuse until they feel the negative consequences of their actions and understand how these affect their lives.
It is imperative to establish boundaries and be firm with them. That’s of great importance when the addict is at the contemplation stage of their recovery. At this point, they are aware of their problem. Still, they weigh the pros and cons of changing their ways. Family involvement can influence this decision. So do your best to help your loved ones realize the value of staying sober and avoiding the chaos and relapse.
Providing Safe Environment
Family members can be helpful during this challenging time, providing a safe environment that promotes healing and prevents relapse. You can visit this website for more tips on how to behave to a person who goes through rehab.
So when an addict returns home, their close people may need to commit to changes in lifestyle and may have to agree to maintain a drug-free environment. These changes can help ensure that the addicts maintain their recovery. Besides, the family member in trouble will be motivated to continue the process.
Even if you don’t live with an addict, visiting them as often as possible is a great way to encourage their progress. Of course, you should do this during their stay in a rehab center, too. These meetings can be educational and rewarding for your loved ones in trouble.
A family’s support is an essential aspect of the recovery process for an addict. By ensuring that loved ones are involved and supportive, people with addiction problems will feel happier and safer. That will contribute to the recovery success and avoid the challenges of relapse.
