How to Help a Loved One Suffering Through Addiction
Foreword
Once again, I’m glad to post Caleb Andersen’s latest article here. If you haven’t read his earlier articles “How to Manage Your Anger in Sobriety” and “Here’s Why Sobriety Does Not Mean the End of Your Social Life” do spend a few minutes to read them as it’s useful and handy. Learn how you could seek help, control, and manage your emotional and mental stress if you’re suffering from mental depression or illness. From the Elements of Numbers (EON) perspective, if your Birth chart or Personal Year charts have too many Metal, Fire, or Wood elements, the influencing vibes could affect your mental state and sound mind in varying ways.
In today’s article, Caleb Andersen shared his insights on how we can help a loved one to overcome the mental fears and binge addiction. As part of his work with Recovery Hope, Caleb is offering insights and support for those who may be struggling. You can reach him directly at caleb@recoveryhope.org or visit the Recovery Hope website (https://recoveryhope.org/) for more details, to contribute to their projects, or to lend a helping hand. – Ron WZ Sun
How to Help a Loved One Suffering Through Addiction
When a family member or a close friend is addicted to drugs or alcohol, there often is uncertainty as to where to turn. You may desperately want to help, but also be concerned about getting in the way of recovery. It can be difficult to see loved ones go through addiction, but family and loved ones often can provide the structure necessary for recovery. Here are some ways families and friends can help.
Family dynamics 101
Behavioral health professionals developed a system of studying and classifying family dynamics in the 1950s. The main school of thought is the systems theory of family dynamics, which views familial structure as complex systems with interrelating roles and components. One of the strongest characteristics of families under this theory is homeostasis. Homeostasis is the tendency of certain organized structures to remain the same and resist change. Families often are perfect examples of homeostasis in action. And this resistance to change can have positive and negative implications for families of the addicted.
While the rigidity of family dynamics can provide necessary structure for the recovery process toflourish, it can also result in holding back positive change. An example of this potential dysfunction is in codependency. Codependency has many definitions, but a succinct and appropriate explanation is a dysfunctional helping relationship. In this relationship, one person enables another’s bad or irresponsible behavior. We can see how this manifests in relation to addiction. If a family member wants to do whatever it takes to help someone suffering from substance abuse, they may look the other way, take on all of the addict’s burdens and ultimately perpetuate the addiction.
And codependency exists outside of family relationships too. Friends can take on the burden of another to their own detriment and the detriment of the addicted person. But there are several ways to help. And as much as the homeostasis of family abhors change, remember back to when the addiction was the foreign element and draw on the strength-bonds of the pre-addiction family and friendship
How families and friends can help
Addiction is tricky and calculating, and it’s the only disease that can take down more than one person with it, if it is left unchallenged. Addiction dramatically alters the lives of not just the addicted person, but of everyone within his or her vicinity, namely family and friends.
Knowing your relationship dynamic is the first step to fight addictions effect on families and friends.. This will help sharpen the line between helping and enabling. Encouraging continued drug or alcohol use is not alway direct and can result from inaction or overprotection.
Once the addiction is identified, and whether the addicted person asks for help or the need for assistance is determined by you, encourage meeting with a doctor. Addiction recovery is a whole-body and mind process, so it’s crucial to begin forming your professional team. There are 3,500 addiction specialized physicians in the U.S. These health professionals can evaluate your loved one and recommend physical and mental health plans of attack.
There are several therapies available that your physician will recommend based on individual need. Some families also have had luck with addiction consultants who have familiarity with types of treatment and some of the administrative intricacies of the process. These services are somewhat controversial, however and can be quite costly, but may be helpful for some families.
Addiction has the ability to destroy families, but relationships can be stronger than any affliction. The ordeal of recovery can bring families closer, with a healthier resulting family dynamic.
By Caleb Andersen
