Addiction Resources for Families by Rehab Recovery Centers

Living with other people can be difficult, as sharing a space takes harmony and balance in the household to keep the peace. Living with someone who suffers from addiction can be even harder, as their behaviors can become less than harmonious.

Addiction can affect family members in several ways. Some of the effects you may experience include:

  • Stress and anxiety
  • Depression
  • Guilt or shame
  • Anger
  • Embarrassment
  • Financial issues
  • Inconsistencies in rules, structure, and schedules
  • Physical, emotional, and security dangers

Because living with an addict can cause you and your family members a great deal of stress and harm, it is important to be aware of how to care for yourself. The first step is understanding addiction and how it can affect your relationships. After that, you should begin learning new ways to care for yourself and your family members rather than only focusing on your addicted loved one.

You don’t have to go through your loved one’s addiction alone. There are resources available to help you and your family.

How to Cope With an Addicted Loved One

The first thing you should remember is that you are not at fault for your loved one’s addiction. You did not cause it, and therefore, you cannot fix it, but you can take steps to ensure your own safety and well-being.

If you’re living with an addicted loved one, consider the following tips:

  • Keep you and your family safe – This means making sure that there are rules and boundaries set that you are willing to uphold. If safety becomes an issue, you may have to ask your addicted loved one to find another place to live.
  • Have a plan – Sometimes the behaviors your loved one displays can become dangerous. This is not to say that addicts are bad or dangerous people, however, substances can bring danger into a household. You should have a plan of action in place in case their behavior becomes too erratic.
  • Stop giving them money – It is common for people suffering from addiction to do whatever they have to to get their drugs or alcohol. Oftentimes, this means begging for money or even stealing from their loved ones. Because of this, you should restrict your loved one’s access to your money.
  • Encourage treatment – If you are living with an addicted loved one, you should always be encouraging them to go to rehab. Addiction does not just go away, it must be addressed with a professional substance abuse treatment program.
  • Prioritize self-care – Living with an addicted loved one can be extremely hard, especially if they are in the depths of their disease. You should always practice self-care during this time.
  • Join a support group – You need to know that you are not alone. Millions of people struggle with addiction and many of them have families who have been affected. Thankfully, this means there are support groups you can attend to receive the help you need.

What Kinds of Support Groups and Resources Are Available for the Loved Ones of Addicts?

While you have probably heard of support groups for people suffering from addiction, you might not be aware that there are groups intended for their loved ones as well. These groups can help you find the support you need to overcome the effects of your loved one’s substance abuse.

Support groups and other resources that can help families of addicts include:

Al-Anon

Al-Anon is a fellowship that practices worldwide, providing a recovery program for the loved ones of alcoholics. There is also a sister organization known as Nar-Anon, which is intended for the loved ones of drug addicts. Additionally, there is a version of this program known as Alateen, which is intended for teenagers who are affected by a loved one’s addiction.

Both of these programs work similarly to Alcoholics Anonymous, as they use the 12 steps to help the loved ones of addicts recover from the effects of their loved one’s addiction.

Families Anonymous

Families Anonymous is another 12-step organization designed for the family members of addicts. Like many other support groups, this program focuses on the similarities between the experiences of peers to show that many families endure the same struggles.

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) is a Christian organization that is based on their founding phrase, “People helping people through the woods.” Their meetings are usually held weekly and provide support for the parents of children who suffer from addiction.

SMART Recovery Family and Friends

SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is a secular alternative to Al-Anon that is science-based. Their program for family and friends of addicts uses non-confrontational methods to help loved ones or friends of an addict cope with the issues they face.

Grief Recovery After Substance Passing (GRASP)

Grief Recovery After Substance Passing (GRASP) is a community designed to support people who lost someone they love to addiction. This program provides support for the effects of addiction on the loved ones of addicts and helps people cope with the death of their addicted loved ones after losing them to addiction.

NAMI Family Support Group

The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) provides a more broad support group for family members of people who suffer from mental health conditions. This can apply to people who have loved ones with co-occurring disorders, a singular mental health condition, or just a substance use disorder.

Find Help for Yourself or an Addicted Loved One

If you or a loved one suffer from addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. Living with addiction can lead to an array of consequences, including rifts in family relationships and physical effects like an overdose. Attending a professional treatment center could prevent these issues from becoming severe or life-threatening.

Contact Rehab Recovery Centers today to get connected with a drug and alcohol rehab center near you.

Get Help Today

Don’t go through the process of recovery alone. There are people who can help you with the struggle you’re facing. Get in touch with one today.