Things to Know About Addiction in a Loved One

The effects of addiction are not confined to the individual with this chronic condition. Those close to them are also impacted, so it is important to know how to support your loved one while also protecting yourself and your family. Understanding addiction and the resources available can help you move forward together and keep your relationship intact.

While being supportive is a key component of helping someone you care about through addiction, you cannot expect to do it all on your own. BrightView is here to answer your questions regarding how to talk to your loved one about addiction. If you would like to know more about our addiction treatment programs, including how beneficial family therapy can be for recovery, give us a call at 888.501.9865.

Things to Know About Addiction in a Loved One

If someone close to you has an unhealthy relationship with drugs or alcohol, you may be feeling lost, helpless, or frustrated. Here are some things to know about addiction in a loved one to help provide some perspective:

• It is important to try not to take addiction personally. An inability or unwillingness to quit is not a reflection on you. Addiction is an incredibly challenging and complex condition that often requires the help of professionals.
• Learning how to set and enforce healthy boundaries is a must. Talk to a therapist with experience treating addiction so they can help you disentangle any confusion about supportive and enabling behaviors, what healthy boundaries are, and how to stay strong and follow through with them.
• Support groups are not just for the person with the addiction. Reach out to support groups like Al-Anon that are designed for the loved ones of people with addiction. Just talking to others in similar situations can provide you with a sense of relief and camaraderie.
• Quitting cold turkey can be dangerous for some people. If someone you care about has a severe addiction, abruptly stopping the substance can be life-threatening. A person with a long history of heavy drinking could experience delirium tremens (DTs) if they quit drinking suddenly, which could lead to coma or death.

Another thing to keep in mind: It is better to talk to your loved one about their addiction when they are not under the influence. Expressing your concerns when someone is drunk or high rarely yields positive results. Save yourself the frustration and a potential argument by arranging a time to talk when they are usually sober, such as first thing in the morning. These conversations can be tricky since the topic is rather sensitive, so try to voice your concern about their well-being without being confrontational or judgmental.

What to Know About Addiction Treatment

Recovery is a lifetime journey. The addiction treatment program is not a cure, so your loved one will need to continue to renew their commitment to sobriety and make some changes in their life to help facilitate a sober lifestyle. Here is what to know about addiction recovery so you have a better understanding of what it entails:

• Individual and group counseling is essential for people in recovery, but you should also consider attending family therapy sessions for the best results.
• Medication assisted treatment (MAT) can be the most effective option since it involves taking medications that alleviate cravings and minimize the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
• Holistic therapies such as music, art, yoga, equine, nature, and mindfulness meditation therapy can enhance addiction treatment by providing an outlet for stress and promoting overall well-being.

You should also remember that addiction treatment is not always a one-time deal. Relapse can happen, even when a person truly wants to stay sober. Be prepared for this possibility, and talk to your loved one about creating a relapse prevention plan with their care team. 

Reach Out to BrightView for Addiction Treatment for Someone You Love

Helping a loved one get through addiction is not easy, but it is possible when you enlist the support of a reputable addiction treatment center like BrightView. To learn more about how we can help someone in your life achieve their recovery goals, call us today at 888.501.9865 or complete our online form.