Addiction is a disease that almost always affects more than one life. Loved ones of a person with an addiction know that that person’s drug or alcohol dependency impacts them as well. Consequently, we tell the people we work with at our detox in Sacramento that it’s crucial that family and friends support the person as they work toward recovery, but that they take care of themselves as well.
Provide Support from a Place of Strength
As flight attendants tell us every time we travel on a plane, in an emergency, you must put your own oxygen mask on before helping others with theirs. The same thing applies to supporting a person with an addiction. You must take care of your own physical, mental, and emotional health so that you have the strength and the focus to help your loved one through this challenging time. Here are some things you can do to be in the best position to provide assistance:
- Vent in a healthy way. Assisting a loved one as they undergo detox in Sacramento and continue into recovery can be very stressful. In order to prevent that stress from overwhelming you, you have to have some ways to blow off steam. Think about what makes you happy—working out, shopping, watching a movie, spending time with friends—and be sure you make time for those things regularly.
- Let go of your guilt. In many cases, the family and friends of a person who is struggling with addiction blame themselves, to some degree, for what that person is going through. We all have things we wish we had done differently, but ultimately the person undergoing treatment is responsible for where they are today. Your guilt isn’t helpful, and in fact, can be counterproductive.
- Talk about boundaries. Helping someone beat an addiction can be very costly, in terms of your time, energy, and in some cases, money. Think about how much of each you are willing to part with, and then talk with your loved one about what you’ve decided so that you are on the same page.
- Don’t go it alone. Being the primary support person for someone who is recovering from addiction can be very isolating. Remember that there is strength in numbers. Reach out to the person’s family members and friends and ask for their help. There are also many support groups you can find online with people who can relate to what you’re going through and provide mental and emotional support.
- Be honest about what you need. It’s easy for families and groups of friends to
get so focused on taking care of the person with an addiction that they forget to take care of one another. Don’t hesitate to talk with others about what you need and what they need.
You Can Make it Through This
Helping a loved one make it through detox in Sacramento and ongoing recovery won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. And you can do it! If you have questions about our programs, please call us at (800) 205-6107.
Content medically reviewed by Vicky Magobet, PMHNP-BC, on August 21st, 2017.
