Help for Families Struggling with Addiction

At Bridges of Hope, we aim to provide help for families who are also deeply affected by their loved one’s addiction. We provide counseling and support, with our rehab specialists available to readily help you with your questions. Below, we show you how else you can help yourself and your loved one struggling with addiction.

Addiction destroys not only the addict, but his family as well. Living with an addict equates to a continuous battle of wits, a never-ending struggle against fear, sadness, disappointment, suspicion, and hopelessness. Struggling to help the addict without being consumed into his world can be utterly heartbreaking and exhausting.

Help for Families

Here’s what you can do to help yourself as well as the addict in your life:

• Educate and be informed about addictive substances, addiction, and recovery options.
• Try to avoid judging, accusing, and blaming. The addict may have his own struggles as well, and it’s a difficult time for all of you.
• Avoid shaming and name-calling. This will do nothing to help the situation.
• Provide a sober and positive environment that helps reduce his triggers.
• Do not enable. Do not make leeways or excuses to cover up for the addict.
• Set boundaries that you can all reasonably agree on. These boundaries should help improve the quality of life of your family as a whole.
• If you want to help him, do not give him money, which he can use to buy drugs or alcohol. Instead, buy them what they need, such as food or clothes.
• Behave as you would if a loved one has a serious disease, as addiction is also a disease.
• Help him find alternative ways to divert his energy or have fun, relax, escape, and unwind.

Help for Yourself

You can’t go on focusing on the addict and his addiction and then lose yourself in the process. Here’s what you can do to help yourself.

• Don’t forget to take care of yourself.
• Don’t blame yourself. His addiction is not your fault.
• Don’t think you can change or control him. You can’t force them to change, either.
• Don’t do things to make it easier for the addict to keep up with their addiction. Instead, be a good example of balance, discipline, positivity, health, and self-care.
• Being a caretaker for the addict will never help him. Know that there is only so much you can possibly or reasonably do for the addict.
• Do not argue with the addict while he is under the influence. Your words or reasoning will not get you anywhere.
• Try to avoid negatively dealing with the addict as this may only increase his feelings of guilt that will only further trigger him.
• Understand that you can’t cure the addiction or the addict.
• Ask for professional help and get the supports that both of you need.

Are you having a problem with an addicted spouse, parent, child, or loved one? Feel free to comment and let’s start a discussion here. Better yet, consider seeking professional help for your loved one. Call or text us at our confidential helpline: 09175098826.