ADDICTION AND YOUR LOVED ONES

Addiction and Your Loved Ones

Call Now To Get On The Road To Recovery

*As required by law, all communications with Resurgence Behavioral Health are HIPAA Compliant and 100% Confidential

If someone you love is struggling with addiction, it can be heartbreaking for that person and their loved ones because addiction impacts your loved ones in addition to the person struggling with the actual addiction.

What most people do not realize is that addiction is a disability and does not only affect the one who is infected, but everyone around them.

When this occurs, you need to take care of yourself above all, but there are some steps you can take to try and help this person as well.

Many groups are supportive of the friends and family of addicted people, such as Al-Anon.

There is also the group Alateen made for teenagers and preteens who are affected by their parents’ substance use or a close relative.

These groups are free for anyone in the community and available in most cities or towns.

Understanding Substance Abuse

Joining a group can help you to overcome the struggles of dealing with someone in your life who is an addict.

They can also teach you to understand addiction at its root and how addiction impacts your loved ones.

You need to learn that you are not responsible for their addiction, and you cannot force them to stop using.

You will also learn ways to cope with their addiction and they will need to find their own way to recovery.

Some groups advocate approaching the individual who is addicted to force them to seek help.

Although this might work sometimes, other situations can push that person further away.

There are other forms of intervention that encourage family members to avoid confrontation but use encouragement instead.

These positive motivational strategies have been proven effective.

It is recommended to seek help from a therapist, doctor, or social worker when approaching someone you love about their addiction.

Not only can it make it a safer situation, but it can also help you give them the support they need.

Why is Substance Abuse Hard to Overcome?

Although many people believe that addiction is a choice, it is genuinely a struggle. Quitting is not a matter of willpower. Stopping drug use is typically what every addict wants, but it never happens because their brain changes with substance abuse. This leads to damaging effects for the individual struggling, as well as your loved ones because addiction impacts your loved ones too.

There are some substances, such as heroin, that trick the brain into releasing certain neurochemicals. Not only does this produce a euphoric high, but it also creates a dependence. Drugs like cocaine or methamphetamine cause the brain to release too much of the chemical dopamine, providing an intense feeling of happiness۔

Developing a Tolerance

Regardless of the type of drug, the brain becomes different when you are chemically addicted to them. If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol, then you may also have developed a tolerance, which creates resistance to the substance’s effects.

After developing a tolerance, you will feel like you need to use more drugs to feel the same effect as before. Eventually, you will need to use the drug to feel normal.

If you have developed a tolerance, then you will suffer from withdrawal symptoms after you stop using the drug. Depending on the drug used, withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening, so it is best to get medical help and go through medical detox. Addiction impacts your loved ones as well as you – the individual struggling with addiction.

What is an Intervention?

In an intervention, the family and friends of the addicted person come together to discuss the issue. Although interventions can be very intense, there is a specific method in which they should be done, such as:

• Interventions begin by asking the addicted person to be quiet and to listen.
• Next, everyone in the group goes around and allows the addicted person to know how they have hurt them with their addiction and use.
• They may recount the problem with addiction so that the addicted person can understand the addiction’s consequences.
• If the addicted person is in denial, the purpose is to help them seek treatment.

Get Help From an Interventionist

Because an intervention is a complicated process, it is recommended that friends and family members do not try it independently. Seeking the help of a professional is recommended. They should have experience with the process of intervention and know what to do if things go south.
Timing is essential with an intervention. You should try to set up the intervention after a problem related to their addiction has occurred, which can help bring it to the forefront and give them accountability. It would help if you investigated treatment options in advance so that you can ask them to leave for treatment as soon as possible.
Interventions do not always work, and it is important to understand that. Even though they can backfire, it is still important to try. Interventions often make the person with the addiction feel alone or attacked. Interventions should be a last resort when someone denies they have a problem or repeatedly denies going to get help.

Characteristics of Addiction

If someone is addicted to substances, they will continue to use whether it harms themselves or the people they love.
Different drugs affect people differently. Some people may get addicted, while other people can use it casually. Many factors influence addiction, including:

• genetics
• starting to experiment or use drugs at an early age
• emotional and physical trauma
• family history of drug or alcohol use

Treatment

Detox: The first step of treatment is typically medically assisted detox, especially for anyone with a severe addiction. Detox can also help to avoid painful withdrawal symptoms.

Inpatient and Outpatient Drug Rehabs: Inpatient and outpatient addiction recovery are essential for getting help. Inpatient drug rehabs offer 24-hour care at a facility. Outpatient programs are a bit different and allow recovering addicts to live at home while undergoing rehab. These programs can provide a safe place, with medical professionals’ help, to get sober and stay sober.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: One of the most common forms of addiction treatment is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. These techniques help with recovery by teaching addicts how to deal with their emotions and avoid drugs or alcohol.

Support Groups: Joining a support group can be extremely effective and is essential for long-term sobriety. Twelve-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous  have supported millions of people through their sobriety.

Payment Information

Do you want treatment but are worried about how you can pay for it? We have a team of financial professionals who provide free insurance verification. We will work with you to determine how to move forward with the treatment in a way that works for you and your financial situation.

How to Get Help

Are you or a loved one suffering from addiction?

At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we understand how difficult it can be to give up an addiction.

Our dedicated team will help you customize a treatment plan to help you heal from your addiction.

Our goal is for you to leave Resurgence Behavioral Health with mental fortitude and coping skills to maintain lifelong sobriety.

Call Resurgence Behavioral Health at 855-458-0050 to schedule an appointment.

We challenge you to make a fresh start with us today.