How to Live with an Addict
Approximately 23 million Americans are currently suffering from an ongoing battle with addiction and the staggering rate of addiction is continuing to rise. If you live with one of those 23 million Americans, their battle with addiction is inadvertently also a battle for you. The more you educate yourself on the facts, the more you will be better equipped with the knowledge and understanding of their everyday battle with addiction.
It is important to understand that addiction is a chronic disease that an addict has no control over. Their body has developed an intense dependence on the substance and their body has adapted to the normalcy of their drug abuse. Withdrawals can lead to uncomfortable and even dangerous side effects such as anxiety and seizures. It is imperative to understand that addiction is both a physiological and psychological disease in order to effectively combat the issue.
How to live with a significant other that is an addict:
In some relationships, love is a drug. In other relationships, love isn’t the only drug. The latter proves difficult when you are not the only thing your partner yearns for. As the significant other, you have a vital role in helping your partner break their cycle of addiction. You may offer love, support, encouragement and motivation for them to break their addiction. You may prioritize your partner while your partner prioritizes drugs.
It can be emotionally draining as you watch your partner choose drugs over you time and time again. You may offer intervention, urge your partner to seek help, or keep a watchful eye, sometimes to no avail. Although you love your partner, it is essential to be mindful of your own limitations and remember that it is ultimately your decision to remain in the relationship.
How to live with a family member that is an addict:
Addiction not only affects the individual, but also their family. Addictions can tear the individual apart from their family and can also tear the entire family apart. You love them unconditionally because they are family, but their relationship with drugs surpasses their relationship with you. As a family member, you may find it difficult to watch your loved one constantly make bad decisions, spiral out of control, or throw everything away for their addiction.
However, providing your loved one with food, money and a roof over their head may only enable them to continue their addiction. There is a fine line between support and enabling and it takes time and practice to define that line. Sometimes tough love is the best answer.
Whether you are dealing with an addict who is your partner or loved one, here are some helpful tips on how to live with an addict:
1) Do not enable harmful behavior
Addicts neglect their needs and responsibilities because to them, drugs come before themselves. If you provide them with all their wants and needs, such as a roof over their head, food, and financial support, all that is left for them to focus on is drug use. Your finances may even be used to fund their addiction. It is easy to become an enabler because you want to care for them. However, they won’t know what rock bottom is if you keep them afloat. Sometimes, tough love is the best answer.
2) Provide a sober environment
Providing a drug and alcohol free environment is one of the very basic steps to help an addict achieve sobriety. Eliminating accessibility to drugs and alcohol will reduce urges and triggers.
3) Understand your own limits
You need to be aware that it is not your job to fix them; their desire to change has to come from within. You cannot fix what they don’t want to fix. It is easy to blame yourself for their problems and constantly question what else you can do to fix them. During the tedious process of changing an addict, you have to remember that their addiction is not your fault and you have to understand that you cannot force or control their behaviors and decisions.
4) Seek professional help
Qualified professionals are better equipped to deal with addicts than you are. Al-Anon is also a great resource that offers them guidance and support, and surrounds them with like individuals who want to positively change their lives.
If things get worse you may also find yourself asking ask “What’s an intervention?” An interventionist can explain this and how it may be helpful, or even necessary, to get your loved one into treatment.
5) Learn what you’re up against
It’s easy to judge but it’s harder to understand. Educate yourself on the facts of addiction to get a better understanding of what your loved one is dealing with. We tend to oversimplify the symptoms of addiction however, addiction is rooted in one’s psychology and physiology. It is not as easy as turning off a switch.
6) Avoid negativity, criticism, judgment
Not even a sober person would want to surround themselves with negativity, criticism or judgment so why would an addict? Continue to support your loved one to the path of sobriety and encourage them to make healthy decisions.
Don’t Let the Addict Control Your Life
Addiction is a rigorous uphill battle for both you and your loved one. Withdrawals and relapses are part of the addiction struggle. Remember to take care of yourself while you are taking care of them. Don’t let the addiction that dominates your loved one’s life dominate your life too. Taking care of yourself is not equivalent to being selfish; it is also important for you to stay healthy.
How to Get Help for Addiction
Look into treatment resources to help your loved one such as:
- Al-Anon.org For family members of alcoholics.
- Nar-anon For family members of addicts.
- Adultchildren.org For adult children of alcoholics and addicts.
Often the addict requires professional treatment in order to get clean and sober and stay that way.
Beginnings Treatment Centers provide modern and effective programs for the treatment of substance abuse addiction and alcoholism. Our addiction treatment centers are located in beautiful and sunny Southern California in Orange County, which has one of the strongest and most active recovery communities in the United States.
If you or a loved one is currently experiencing a problem with addiction, or if you are concerned and not sure, please Contact Beginnings Treatment Centers Now.
