Long-term drug and alcohol use leads to harmful and serious problems, physically, mentally, and financially. Excessive drug and alcohol use damages major body organs, such as the liver, heart, stomach, brain, and kidneys. The damage from drug and alcohol use can result in lifelong health complications and even death.
Addiction is a family disease. When a loved one is addicted to drugs and alcohol, everyone in the family endures the pain of the addiction. Trust is broken and family members experience emotional pain as their loved one’s life goes in a different direction. Often the addicted loved one limits his or her time around family, which results in long-term absences from family gatherings, holidays, or special family events.
There are ways to cope when a family member suffers from a substance dependency. Learning that addiction is a disease is a good way to start. Here are some strategies to cope when your loved one has an addiction:
- Learn more about addiction by attending AA or NARANON meetings and listen to what others say about their experiences with addiction.
- 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.
- Avoid shaming your loved one and encourage him or her to get help. An individual with an addiction might already have issues with guilt or self-esteem. Negative remarks could contribute to your loved one continuing his or her drug and alcohol use.
- Understand you cannot control a person’s behavior. That includes your loved one’s addiction. Family therapy allows members to express their feelings.
- Set boundaries to let your loved one know what is off limits. This teaches him or her to respect your rules and space.
Addiction affects not only the individual but also family and friends. Understand that a person must want to change his or her lifestyle with addiction. A person cannot be forced into treatment and recovery, but love, support, and encouragement is a start in the right direction.
Cypress Lakes Lodge specializes in treatment for addiction with a mind, body, and spiritual approach to therapy. If you or a loved one is battling an addiction, get help now. Make the call today and save yourself from the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol. Your life is worth saving.
Cypress Lakes Lodge offers treatment for addiction, addictive behavior, dual diagnosis, and mental health conditions in a serene, remote, lush-green environment. The program encompasses holistic addiction therapy 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: 877-938-1577