People fall into the enticing arms of addiction for many reasons, but all stem from a momentary change from the feelings we don’t want to experience. In this process, alcohol and drugs hijack the pleasure and reward circuits of the brain over time. While many of us realize the adverse effects of substance use and avoid getting stuck in the dreadful loop of addiction, some aren’t as lucky.
Addiction is essentially a disease of the mind, and the pleasure and reward mechanisms of the brain become dependent on the external stimulus. The more a person is exposed to the stimulus, the more dependent the person becomes, damaging the brain’s normal function. Overcoming an addiction can seem impossible, especially if it has been prolonged over several years. But anyone struggling with addiction and the people around them should realize that any steps towards change are to be taken today.
It can be distressing to see a close friend or loved one struggling with addiction, but before you can lend a helping hand, here are six things you need to be careful about;
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Learn the Effects and Signs of Addiction
The first step in how to help an alcoholic or a drug user is to understand what they are going through. All the knowledge in the world is not enough until determination and willingness are added to the effort. While there are some tell-tale cognitive signs, like a lack of initiative and a visible lack of interest, there are more subtle signs. Addiction affects most interpersonal relationships, leading to isolation, financial distress, health issues and mental disorders.
You can judge whether or not the person is involved in substance abuse by analyzing some signs of addiction in their daily lives. Once you identify all the warning signs of addiction and understand what they are going through, you will better empathize with them. It will also help you be more realistic about progress and the possibility of a relapse.
Understand that They Are the Same Person
Drug addiction can change a person; someone very lively and upbeat can become unnecessarily negative and, at times, abusive. Substance abuse can push people to do and say things they usually avoid. Seeing someone’s true self through the fog of addiction can become difficult, and you are more prone to being hurt by them. Understand that they are not in complete control of their emotions, and try not to take them personally while they are struggling with recovery.
One of the worst things you can do in this situation is to shame and blame the one already struggling. While this isn’t a reason to forgo any wrongs they intentionally do to you or others, they still need the most compassion and care you can offer. The best way to provide that is proper clinical treatment.
Create a Support Network
Substance abuse isn’t a matter someone can handle by just reading about it online. Recovery is a tough road that needs professional help and supervision, even after life seems to be normalized. Detoxification comes with complicated withdrawal symptoms, underlying addiction triggers and the threat of relapse that you may not understand if you are not a trained professional.
There is a high chance of things going wrong in recovery, indicated by how many people struggling with addiction never recover completely. Thinking that you alone can pull someone out of habit is a mistake. Build a thorough network with professionals, loved ones and clinical care. Studies show that addicts in a peer support group show better progress and chances of completely recovering from addiction.
Learn to Be Rigid When Needed
While excessively strict and harsh is unadvisable with a person in recovery, too much leniency does not do anyone favors. It would help if you learned where to draw the line between what behaviors you can tolerate in compassion and where your compromises end. To turn away from bad habits, a person needs to learn about the consequences, and supporting negative behaviors will only make it harder for the person to change.
Be firm on your boundaries, and if you have set up an effective recovery network, you will find support for your limits through peers and professionals. This will help the recovering addict understand right from wrong, ultimately aiding their progress.
Don’t Become Codependent
Codependency is tricky to avoid. When caring for someone in recovery, you find yourself imparting a lot of compassion, tolerance, time and care. Recovery is a long process; you may get used to pushing yourself, and seeing yourself in that role may become normal. The relationship with the recovering addict becomes dysfunctional, turning you into an over-responsible character, enabling negative behaviors, and losing touch with your authentic self.
The lack of boundaries is the main reason codependency becomes an issue along the recovery journey. It would help if you spoke with professionals with experience dealing with recovery cases and the people around them; this will allow you to refocus on your goals and make better choices for everyone. Engaging in positive mental exercises and practices, such as learning to control and detoxify your brain of negative emotions, is good for you.
Always Keep Your Well-being First
Caring for someone with a life-altering addiction can be physically and mentally taxing. You will often find yourself making compromises for the betterment of the person undergoing recovery. When you see someone close to you in trouble, it can be challenging to think about yourself and practice self-care. While this sentiment allows you to give as much care to the person in need, it can backfire quickly.
To care for someone recovering from drug addiction, you need to be in the best of physical and mental health yourself. You often have to make decisions in the spur of the moment and spring into action immediately, and you cannot do that if you do not care for yourself. Your well-being should be your priority, as it will benefit you and everyone accompanying you on this journey. Look for opportunities like family therapy and counseling, as a loved one struggling with addiction can impact everyone who cares about them. Keeping your well-being in check is one of the most positive steps you can take toward progress.
