Family plays a significant part in the recovery of an addict. The love and support they get from their families help them cope with the highs and lows that accompany recovery.
The recovery process can hard on addicts. Having to deal with withdrawal symptoms and the consequences of their actions might deter them from getting help. It is upon the family to reach out and help them.
Here are some tips on how to help a family member dealing with addiction.
1. Read up on addiction
There is a lot of information about drug abuse, addiction, its effects, and how to handle it, and more comprehensive research is being conducted every day. You must learn more about the addiction affecting your family members. Learning more about how these substances affect the brain’s chemistry and what new treatments are available can boost your family’s sense of hope.
Having a better understanding of addiction can help families escape the blame game. Addiction is viewed as a form of weakness, willfulness, or stupidity. This information serves as an eye-opener to how shifts in brain chemistry and electrical impulses can cause addiction. It can also help you all let go of the anger and focus on healing. You can also talk to Opioid Lawyers to get a better understanding of the legal implications of addiction.
2. Be supportive
Getting over an addiction is not an easy feat. More often than not, many addicts relapse because they did not get enough support from those around them. The whole family must show that they are there for them.
You can engage in recovery-related activities such as going to recovery meetings as a family. You can also attend family therapy sessions to help everyone deal with the issues brought about by the addiction.
3. Don’t forget to take care of yourself
Living with or supporting an addict can take a toll on you. Research has shown that it is the people closest to the addict that are affected the most. The addiction can be a stressor that can last for a long time and have detrimental effects on the family.
Find and connect with peers and support groups with members who have gone through or are going through the same situation you are. These support groups provide safe, non-judgmental spaces for families to talk about, learn, and overcome addiction.
Attending support group meetings can help you get a better quality of life, lower your stress levels, improve your psychological health, and teach you other ways to deal with the addict.
4. Manage your expectations
When an addict accepts and enters a treatment program, the family may be happy. The feeling of hope that the dependence is being addressed and things will eventually get better can be overwhelming.
However, the path to rehabilitation is a long one, and it can take a while for the changes to appear. The slow shift can lead to disappointments, so you must manage your expectations and focus on the end goal, which is total recovery.
When considering how to deal with a family member who is an addict and how to deal with their addiction, it is crucial to factor in the nature of their addiction. The whole family and the addict need to believe that recovery is possible.
