How to Help a Family Member Cope With Addiction

 

Family members often feel helpless when their loved one struggles with addiction. They may be trying to keep the peace, avoid conflict, and stay supportive of the person who they love. But as anyone else would, a family member may also begin questioning whether they are putting too much pressure on their relative. The resulting strain can make an already challenging situation worse. Without help, a loved one’s addiction can only get worse and cause tension in the relationship. If you recognize that your family member is struggling with addiction, here are some suggestions on how to best support them through this difficult time:

Stay Connected

The best thing that a family member can do is to be there for their loved one while they are in recovery. This way, they can offer the support and help that is needed without feeling like they are adding to the pressure. They can also remain connected to their own needs, both emotional and physical, while they are helping their family member. This might mean finding a way to spend time alone, eating, or taking a nap when they need to, as well as finding a way to schedule time for themselves. If you are struggling to stay connected to your loved one in recovery, try to recognize when you are feeling pressured or strained. You may be feeling this way because you are trying to be overly supportive, or you may be missing part of what your loved one needs from you.

Set Expectations Straight

As a family member, you probably have a good idea of what your loved one needs from sobriety. You may even have ideas of your own about what would be helpful to them. Unfortunately, some family members are under the mistaken impression that they know better than their loved one when it comes to recovery. If you find yourself arguing with your loved one about what they should and should not be doing in recovery, try to set expectations straight. As a family member, you may have the right to try to guide them into a more healthy lifestyle. But, you should be doing this in conjunction with them and not replacing their role as their own primary support system. If your loved one is in a program that you have not been involved in, try to find out more about what it is that they are doing. Ask for some information about what is happening in the meetings, what the rules are, and who their sponsor is.

Don’t Just Assume They Know What You Need

When you are trying to support a loved one in recovery, it is tempting to assume that you know what they are going through. After all, you are the one who knows their personality, their habits, and their wants and needs. This can come across as patronizing, especially if your loved one is resistant to the idea of your trying to tell them how to live their life. Once they are in recovery, they have the right to make their own choices and decisions. But until then, it is important to acknowledge that you do not have all the information. Be willing to ask questions and seek out information. This will make you appear less like you are trying to take over and more like you are genuinely interested in their well-being.

Be Honest About Your Needs

One of the toughest things about recovery is that it is a process. Just as your loved one will have ups and downs throughout this process, you will too. It is important that you tell your loved one that you might need some support yourself. You will have your own set of challenges and you need someone to talk to. It could be something as simple as needing some time to yourself, or needing help with a particular situation you are facing. Own your needs and let your loved one know that they do not have to be the primary support system if they are struggling to keep up. If you find yourself too stressed out or overworked with the responsibility of being their primary support system, try to find someone else to help you. Ask a family member, a close friend, or a professional.

Give them Space

A loved one suffering from addiction is likely to be going through a lot of emotions. They may feel guilty, upset, or worried about their future. They may even be angry about something. These feelings may be a normal part of grieving for the loss of something that was important to them, but they can also be difficult for a recovering person to handle. It can be helpful for a family member to let their loved one have their space, even if the person is a family member or close friend. Doing so will allow the person to handle the emotions that come from their addiction in their own way, without interference from others. If you find that you are trying to push your loved one to get over their emotions, or trying to rush them back into sobriety, you may be under too much pressure yourself.

Offer to Help Them Cope With Their Addiction

As difficult as it may be to do, you may want to try to help your loved one cope with the addiction. If this is the case, try to remain objective and take a back seat to their own self-care. Start by letting your loved one know that you care without being overbearing. Keep conversations low-key and avoid pressuring them with advice. You could also try expressing your support in another, less intrusive way, such as sending them flowers or offering to help with household chores. These may be small things, but they can be a big help to someone who is struggling with addiction. Keep in mind that helping your loved one cope with addiction does not mean that you have to give them what they want. You could try giving them what they need instead.

Conclusion

If your loved one is struggling with addiction, it can be extremely difficult to know what to do. You may fear for their safety, feel overwhelmed, or resent being asked to help. You do not have to “fix” your loved one’s addiction. You do not have to be “supportive” of their behavior. You do not have to “be there” for them. When dealing with addiction, it is important to keep perspective. It is important to remember that addiction is a disease, and it is important to remember that recovery is a process.

Zorba Wellness is one of the best Pune Rehabs, India for alcohol and drug addiction treatment.

Rehabilitation Centre in Pune