Addiction can destroy the individuals who suffer from it as well as their families. Living with someone who is addicted to alcohol or drugs can be tiring and stressful. Although it’s not easy, dealing with addiction is important for everyone’s health. Here are some helpful tips for families.
Learn About Addiction
Learning about a loved one’s addiction helps the family understand the mental and physical changes that are occurring. It can also prepare family members for possible situations and how to handle them.
Information about addiction is widely available on government websites or from health care providers and rehab centers. Support groups such as Al-Anon and Nar-Anon also offer literature about addiction for families. They hold nationwide meetings where families can get support, encouragement, and discuss their story.
Research Professional Help
Even if a family hasn’t confronted their loved one about treatment yet, the concerned members can start looking into detox and rehab centers. Asking a healthcare professional for a referral or searching online for local facilities and inpatient centers that treat addiction are good places to start.
Many people suffering with addiction to alcohol or drugs need to go through detox to handle withdrawal symptoms. Some people may also be dealing with underlying mental conditions that contribute to their addiction. Finding a place that addresses both of these increases the chances of long-term recovery.
While looking for a detox and rehab center, the family can also look for a local support group. Some of the anonymous organizations have meetings over the phone, at physical locations and even online. This allows anyone to get continued support after they get out of rehab.
Talking to a counselor or therapist can also be helpful for family members, since dealing with addiction in the family can damage relationships. A family counselor or therapist can help mend these relationships and reduce stress for each family member.
Be Supportive
When talking to a loved one about getting help, it’s important for the family to be encouraging and supportive. This means using healthy communication skills. Doing so can help families focus on calm discussions that help their loved one progress toward seeking treatment rather than screaming and shouting.
While lending support, the family needs to be careful not to enable the loved one’s addiction. This could include not giving or lending money so that they can buy alcohol or drugs. Instead, the family should remind the afflicted family member that they’re willing to help them get treatment.
Helping your loved one could start as small as making a doctor’s appointment. Offering to go to therapy with a loved one might be enough to get them started. If they refuse to get treatment, the family may need to stage an intervention. Due to the nature of an intervention, careful planning is necessary. Families should talk to a professional for guidance.
No matter what, the family shouldn’t accept poor behavior that puts any members of the household in danger. Separate the addicted loved one from everyone else if they become abusive or violent, spend money that isn’t there or conduct illegal activities at home. Children of parents that use drugs might need to seek government assistance in such cases.
Dealing With Addiction Through Detox and Rehab
The Hills Treatment Center is an elite, full-service detox and rehab facility in the Hollywood Hills. Located on 4 acres of land that used to belong to a celebrity, privacy is inherent. Our team also keeps all guest admissions and treatments confidential. Some of the services that our staff offers include:
- Job placement
- Life skills
- Transport to off-site group meetings
- Treatment for members of the LGBTQ community
Take the next step in overcoming addiction by joining one of our quality alcohol and drug rehab programs. Call us today at 844-915-0287 for more information about starting the road to recovery.
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