To the Families of Addicted Loved Ones…

If you’re like most people living in the United States, you’ve been touched at some point or another by addiction. This week, Harper Therapy intern Toni Gorn and I spoke about our experiences working with individuals who suffer from substance abuse disorders.

Addiction is a terrible disease and not only does it affect the person who has it but the people who love them as well. There are many schools of thought about addiction and whether it is a disease or not and for the purposes of this blog, it can be defined as a mental health condition which, if left untreated, can create serious consequences for the affected individual and their loved ones. 

Addiction does not discriminate and affects people of all races, ages, socioeconomic statuses, and genders. For those dealing with addiction, there can be a great deal of denial and many times, friends or family members can see that there’s an issue before the affected loved one sees it. Many people wonder how to approach someone who is struggling with addiction.

The first thing to keep in mind is that your loved one may get mad at you or retaliate for bringing this up. Remember that their addiction serves them, otherwise they would not use addictive substances. By shining a light on the truth of their condition, you are threatening their lifestyle. Family members may also struggle with how to support their addicted loved one without enabling them.

A good rule of thumb is to not do something for your loved one that they can do for themselves. Many times, family members feel the impulse to step in so that their loved ones will not feel the full impact of their behavior while in active addiction (think breaking the law and having to go to jail or causing property damage). It’s important to set boundaries and establish what you are okay with doing and what you are not okay with doing. It is also important to get help in determining what your boundaries are.

Here at Harper Therapy, we can help you navigate the rough terrain of addiction and how it affects you and your family. Please give our office a call at 813-434-3639 if you’d like to learn more about how to take care of yourself while being there for your loved one who is struggling with addiction.