Role of the family in addiction recovery
We all know the vital and vital cycle of the human being. Between birth and death, many things happen that shape our identity. There are certain traits that are built-in or inherited and then there are some characters that we build as we go through certain states and situations, which add to our identity at various times. Now my question here is: With what do you identify your first identity?
Birth; your name given by your family; schooling on the basis of the parents’ name; college based on your parents’ names and qualifications; your resume requires’ your family details; your biological data for marriage needs your family data. So, everywhere, family comes first, which makes it your first identity.
The reason I quote this point is that the family has its role everywhere. Even in addiction, it has its unequivocal implication. Addiction is known as a family illness. It cannot be denied that the family has an important role to play in enabling and ending addiction as well.
Once an addict has been treated and has begun their recovery journey, their role as a family does not end there. Rather, it is just the beginning and you need to make sure your loved one takes you a long way. Without your knowledge and support, it will not be possible. There are certain definite steps that you, as a family, must take so that your entire family can enjoy a sober and happy life of recovery.
Be alert and alert
Don’t make the same mistakes again. Having your emotions attached to someone may not be something you can control, but one safe measure you can take is to keep them under your control.
You shouldn’t get too excited every time your recovering addict is trying to lure you into their trap. You must take into account, all the things he did previously. If there is an excess of any behavior, which you think was used previously, to go substance use, you should immediately become aware of it and take a hard step. You will have to let go of your gullible nature and become more astute.
Be vigilant about your daily routine and activities. Trust him in what he’s doing, but not so blindly that he’ll take you for a ride. Know that I’m not supposed to take you for granted. Get answers to all your questions about any type of deviation that you see or hear clearly.
Always discuss any move you want to make and then considering its practicality and profitability, you can decide to finance or support it. But don’t get too defensive or doubt your ability. That’s hard work, right?
Don’t set it free
“The empty mind is the devil’s workshop.” You must have been listening to this since your childhood. So when you leave him without any job or family commitments, he crawls onto drugs / alcohol and perhaps uses his pent-up energy to use him in newer ways. Understand your privacy line and your alibis to use drugs in private, hiding from you. Show your full participation in their talks and assignments. Make sure nothing is taken lightly. If you lose your sincerity and start wasting your time, you will lose consciousness, which could become a reason for relapse. In treatment, they are taught many unwritten philosophies, such as There are no free meals and To be aware is to be alive. They should practice them, and to practice them, you too must be their role models. Also, make sure your circadian rhythm doesn’t change – that is, your sleep cycle and even your eating habits – stay healthy.
Be emotionally available
Always be emotionally available to him. There are times when we all feel depressed. Apparently, those who become addicted, their coping mechanism is automated towards drugs and alcohol or just to self-harm. So whenever you see that your loved one is getting sad and negative about life, or has chosen the corner of silence for himself for a persistent period of time, you need to step in. Cook for him and ask him to help you, put on some great music, go out for lunch or dinner, refresh some childhood memories. There are many things to do together. Treatment does not end with the addict’s release from the rehab center. Never take it lightly. You need the feeling of love and belonging, more than anyone else needs. And at the same time, don’t make the mistake of asking him to drink a little alcohol or smoke occasionally at social gatherings, thinking that it might lift his spirits and you’re keeping an eye on him, so he won. ” Don’t get out of control. An addict can never settle for peanuts. I would go back to the same intensity again.
Do not be afraid
Do not ignore his anger and about that, do not panic. Don’t be afraid of the threats of self-harm that he would be throwing at you. If she’s losing her cool over petty matters and criticizes everything you say, be careful. Because it indicates that you will use your substance again. If you become submissive, which is what he wants, you will lose this battle with addiction. You have to practice Tough Love. Forget what you used to do before when your wishes were not fulfilled. You don’t have to be her Jinn again. He knows when to rub the lamp, but you have to decide whether or not your emotions should come out, even if he is trying to be blunt. The moment you give in and give him your emotional control, he would relapse. No anger, no threat of self harm, no abuse will work on you. You need to be stronger than him. You don’t have to be nice to him all the time and especially because of his irrational demands and behaviors. Don’t let it dominate you. Identify when you are trying to do that. He cannot elevate your unnecessary demands, your false / insignificant financial / emotional medical needs above your needs and routine. He would test your patience most of the time. He would be trying to see if he still has control over you, so don’t give up on his tactics. Let him know that no drama would work in his house and on you.
Addictive behavior can be detected at any stage of life. Those behaviors would lead to a relapse. For example, excessive purchases, which you might consider normal to indulge yourself from time to time; But if you see a lot of money wasted on shopping, you need to be careful again. Spending too much time on the phone, Internet, movies and preferring to be isolated for many hours. Even eating too much is a sign that a relapse is coming. These are just actions a recovering addict takes as substitutes for his substance and to find temporary comfort. You can always call rehab for help and continue to attend Family Association meetings. But being a family member of a recovering addict, never give up.