Love
is the work for which all other work is but preparation. Rilke had that right
but loving someone with drug or alcohol addiction problems is even harder. If
you’re in the same boat and you’re at a loss as to how you can survive, here
are a few tips. Read on to get an idea how you can cope with the situation too.
Get
Professional Help
Rehab
treatment is the best option if you want your loved one to recovery. Successful
long-term recoveries from addiction are often a product of an effective
rehabilitation program. That’s why you’ll want to do your homework and find the
right recovery assistance facility.
Find
Help Sooner
Don’t
wait until your loved one is worst before you seek out an Arizona rehab
facility for treatment. The sooner you do your homework and
encourage your friend or family member to get help, the sooner you’ll be all
right, too, because you know that they’re getting the assistance and support
they need.
Look
After Yourself
Many
people who love people struggling with addiction problems often forget about
themselves. They focus so much on helping the people they love that they’ve
lost sight of what they need themselves. Don’t let that happen. You’ll be a
better family member or friend when you’re healthy and emotionally all right.
Make sure you’re okay too.
Take
Breaks
Don’t
feel guilty about taking breaks. If you know you’re going to leave your loved
one in the right hands, then go ahead. Take a few days off. Rest. Don’t come to
the rehab facility every day. Let your loved one get used to the facility, talk
to the rest of the residents or participants in the program, and generally be
on their own. If you’re always there, you might be hindering your loved one’s
progress. It’s also a good idea to take a few days off, so that you can do what
you want. Take breaks. Go on vacation. Helping someone through a recovery
doesn’t mean you’ll need to put your life on hold.
Ask
for Accountability
When
your loved one promises to do something, don’t take responsibility for it. If
the person fails to own up to his or her mistakes, don’t step in and absolve
the person of the guilt and responsibility. Teach your loved one
accountability. Hold him or her to what s/he’d promised. Only then can you
expect a positive long-term recovery because when that works out, then you
benefit as well.
Seek
Out Support
Some
rehabs also offer counseling services for the loved ones of the patients. Look
into those services. You might need counseling too to be okay. If the addiction
resulted in a lot of problems, then you’ll need counselling and support as well.
Don’t be afraid to get what you need.
Stay
Healthy
There
are healthy ways to love someone with addiction. Set clear boundaries, for
instance. Don’t let your loved one stomp all over you. Don’t bend over
backwards trying to please the person. Learn to say no. That will be better for
both of you in the long run too.
