Addiction leads to harmful physical and mental health problems. Excessive drug and alcohol use damages major body organs, such as the liver, heart, stomach, brain, and kidneys. The damage from drugs and alcohol can result in lifelong health complications, overdose, and early death.
Family and friends feel scared, helpless, and hopeless as their loved one continues the drug or alcohol use despite consequences. Trust is broken and family members experience emotional pain as their loved one’s life goes in a different direction.
There are ways to cope when a family member suffers from a substance dependency or addiction. Learning that addiction is a complex brain disease is a good way to start. Here are 5 strategies you can use to cope when your loved one is battling an addiction:
- Learn more about addiction. Meet people who struggle with a drug and alcohol addiction in group meetings. Join a forum online or a group on social media that relate to addiction. Ask questions and get advice or suggestions from others coping with a loved one’s addiction.
- Stay positive and supportive. Encourage your loved one to get help, and remain positive. Understand an individual with an addiction might already have issues with guilt or self-esteem. Using shameful words or a negative tone could contribute to your loved one continuing his or her substance use.
- Set boundaries. Setting boundaries lets your loved one to know what is off limits and teaches him or her to respect your rules and space. Plan in advance what to expect and stick to it.
- Communicate. Talk to him or her and keep the communication open, positive, and encouraging. Go to group therapy or family counseling and get advice from professionals who are experienced with drug and alcohol addiction.
- Understand you cannot control a person’s behavior. That includes your loved one’s addiction. Family and friends suffer a range of emotions from guilt, anger, frustration, and helplessness. Family therapy allows members to express their feelings.
These are helpful ways to cope when your loved one is addicted to drugs and alcohol. The addiction affects not only the individual but also family and friends. If you or a loved one is suffering from addiction, you are not alone. Do not wait to get help. Take the step to healthy, sober living and get help today.
Cypress Lakes Lodge specializes in addiction treatment and is located in a serene, remote, lush-green, oxygen enriched environment. The program encompasses holistic addiction therapy and offers yoga and meditation for the mind, body, and soul. The focus is on physical, mental, and emotional well-being by generating the balance of life-enriching treatment, wellness, and healthy, sober, sustainable relationships. Call us to get started: 409-331-2204