According to the Pew Research Center, nearly half of Americans have a family member or close friend who’s struggled with addiction. It can be difficult to watch someone you love struggle with addiction. Unfortunately, many family members may unknowingly enable their family member’s addiction, or not establish healthy boundaries between themselves and a family member. In this family guide to addiction and recovery, you’ll learn more about addiction, recovery, and how you can best support your loved one struggling with addiction.
At Pathways Recovery, we are a leading drug rehab here to help patients struggling with addiction get the personalized care they need to overcome addiction. No two recovery journeys are ever the same. We offer a variety of addiction treatment programs and options to ensure you receive the best possible care to lead a healthier, happier quality of life. Ready to begin your recovery journey? Contact us today!
9 Things You Need to Know About Addiction, Recovery, and How to Support Your Loved One
Keep reading this family guide to addiction and recovery below to learn more about how you support your loved one battling with addiction.
- Understand that Addiction is a Disease
It can be difficult to understand addiction and what your family member is going through, especially if you’ve never struggled with addiction yourself. It’s important to understand that addiction is a brain disease that takes time to recover from.
- Educate Yourself about Your Family Member’s Addiction
Although no two recovery journeys are ever the same, you may find it beneficial to research and educate yourself about your family member’s addiction. For example, if you have a loved one you know who is struggling with opioid addiction, consider educating yourself about opioid addiction.
- Help Your Loved One Research Nearby Treatment Centers
If your family member is not currently seeking professional treatment for their addiction, consider helping them research nearby treatment centers that best meet their recovery needs. While you are not solely responsible for helping your family member overcome their addiction, you can help them research and find a drug rehab that fits their recovery needs.
- Set Healthy Boundaries
Although all you may want to do is help and support your family member struggling with addiction, it’s also critical to set and communicate healthy boundaries between you and your loved one. Setting boundaries can not only reduce enabling your loved one’s addiction, but boundaries also protect your well-being.
- Be Patient as Your Loved One Progresses Along their Recovery
Addiction recovery does not happen overnight. Addiction recovery is life-long; therefore, be patient as your loved one progresses along their road to recovery.
- Communicate Often with Your Loved One Struggling with Addiction
Another tip to supporting your family member struggling with addiction is to communicate with them often about their recovery and their progress. This will ensure your loved one feels safe talking to someone about their recovery journey.
- Create an Open, Judgement-Free Space to Talk
Similarly, it’s important to create an open, judgment-free space for your loved one to talk honestly about their addiction and recovery journey.
- Consider Seeking Help From Family Therapy
If your loved one is currently seeking professional treatment for their addiction, you may consider seeking help from family therapy. Family therapy offers a safe space for your family and your loved one struggling with addiction to rebuild your relationships.
- Understand Addiction Recovery is Life-Long
Last but not least, it’s important to understand that addiction recovery is life-long. While seeking treatment and overcoming addiction is a great start on one’s road to recovery, it’s important to remember that addiction recovery is life-long. Therefore, be sure to support your loved one every step along their recovery journey.
Time to Break Free From Addiction
As you can see inside this family guide to addiction and recovery, addiction is a complex disease that can hurt not just the addict, but the loved ones in their lives. If you have a family member or friend struggling with addiction, it’s important to follow the tips outlined above so you can effectively support your loved one’s road to recovery, without hurting your own mental health and well-being.
At Pathways Recovery, our compassionate team of addiction specialists is here to help you safely overcome addiction and lead a healthier quality of life. Addiction can hurt all areas of your life for the worse. But, you don’t have to suffer in silence with your addiction. We offer a wide range of addiction treatment options to ensure you receive the unique care you need to lead a better life. Contact us today to learn how we can help you lead a healthier, happier life.
