Some people may think that their loved ones addiction has no effect on them, but they are wrong, no matter how much they deny it. They may say they have distanced themselves from the addict so they don’t have to deal with their behavior. Already, the need to distant ones self is an effect of the addiction. The addiction puts a strain on the entire family unit; it is like that snowball at the top of the hill, rolling its way down building speed and size on its way until it wipes out everything in its path. Even if it doesn’t hit you directly in its path, it will hit others in the family unit and you will feel the results in various ways.
Watching a loved one deal with an addiction can make you feel helpless. You may try to help them and feel inadequate. Their problem may bring you so much sorrow that the only way you can deal with it is to avoid it. Not everyone deals with a loved ones addiction the same way. Some people have the skills it takes to set strong limits and boundaries and know that if the addict distances themselves from them it is not a reflection on them, but rather just another part of the addiction. Some people feel deep guilt and question everything about their lives with the addict asking what they could have done different so the love one would not have started using drugs. There are probably a million different ways a loved ones’ drug addiction can affect a person and probably a million reasons why addicts started using initially.
Deny that a loved ones addiction doesn’t affect tem at all is dangerous and can lead to further problems with the family unit as a whole. You can deny any backlash from an addicts addiction while using, (although it is not the healthiest approach for people) but when the addict enters a drug treatment program you would be wise to use that time to deal with the effects the addiction has had on you.
Good addiction treatment program will have a component of family therapy giving you the opportunity to express your true feelings in a controlled setting. As the addict is in recovery, they have the therapist to help them work through their emotions that come from them honest, heartfelt confessions and anger about the addicts’ behavior while using.
When someone you love is battling addiction, it is important not to lose sight of your own well-being. It is easy to become isolated and preoccupied with whether the addict is going to drink or use drugs, or totally shut down. Family and friends often experience anger, fear, and frustration. You need to be sure that you don’t get pulled into a downward spiral and do not be afraid to speak to a drug/alcohol counselor regarding your loved ones addiction.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
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Phone: 800.971.1586
Fax: 800.401.8464
24 Hour Addiction HelpLine
Tel. (800) 396-9389 (7 days 24 hours)
e-mail: info@24houraddictionhelp.com
http://www.24houraddictionhelp.org/
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That is so true. An addict will tell you that he's not hurting anyone but himself. That's a lie he tells himself so he doesn't have to accept the responsibility for his actions.
ReplyDeleteI find it nearly impossible to believe that anyone who has an addict in their lives can say that they are not affected. Maybe that's their coping mechanism, lying to themselves.
ReplyDeleteIf you have any sort of contact with an addict, it will affect you to some degree. The closer the relationship, the more severe the problems will be.
ReplyDeleteAddiction is a family illness. Most likely the family was part of the cause and it has to be part of the solution.
ReplyDeleteBeing near a loved one who has an addiction problem makes me feel sad and helpless. I want him to get better but I don't see that happening. It's beginning to affect my life to the point that I feel like I need help.
ReplyDelete