Dealing with an Addicted Family Member when You’re in Drug Addiction Recovery
Whether it’s your spouse, your child, your parent, or your close friend, it can be difficult to be in a situation where you love someone who continues to abuse drugs and alcohol despite all your efforts to help them get the treatment they need. Do you continue to support them and deal with the relapses, broken promises, and hurt feelings? Do you move forward with your life and let them move forward with theirs no matter what their choices? Or is the answer somewhere between the two?
Effects of Drug Addiction on Family Members
According to a study published in Addiction magazine in February, 2009, family members of drug addicts are more likely to experience significant health problems, including depression, diabetes, asthma, or a substance abuse issue of their own than are others who are not in the same situation. Health costs for family members of those addicted to drugs and alcohol are also higher than other families – even families where one member has diabetes or asthma.
Resources for Support
No matter what your personal decision in maintaining a relationship with your addicted family member, it is important to prioritize your own mental health and the health of others in your family. There are a number of ways to do this. Pick as many as you can that will fit into your schedule and address the issues that you and your other family members are experiencing. Here are some options:
- 12-step groups. Al Anon and Nar Anon are both groups that provide support to family members who love someone who with chronic drug and alcohol abuse issues. Here you can gain the support of others who have been where you are and learn how to make sure that you get what you need from your life.
- Personal therapy. Though you can share in 12-step groups, there is no attention to your ongoing progress and healing in a therapeutic context unless you choose private therapy sessions. Here you can vent and get the guidance you need that is specific to your needs and situation with follow through to hold you accountable.
- Family therapy. This is a great option if your addicted loved one agrees to attend with you or if you have other family members who would benefit from discussing their own issues with the changed family dynamic or their changed relationship with the addicted family member.
- Physical health. If you’re not healthy physically, you will not be healthy mentally. Don’t forget to go to regular doctor and dental checkups, to incorporate workouts into your schedule, and to eat healthy.
If you’re loved one is ready to seek treatment, we can help. Contact us at Michael’s House today to learn more about our inpatient and outpatient treatment programs here in southern California.
