Addiction is a chronic, and often repetitive, emotional disease. The road to recovery for someone who is actively addicted is often long and difficult. Inevitably, this will affect those closest to them and may require professional help to prompt them into treatment and on the road to recovery.
How do you identify an addiction?
It is important for family members and friends to recognize the signs and symptoms of addiction. These can differ depending on the type of addictions they are dealing with, be it a drug, alcohol or gambling addiction. Many people are able to hide their addiction, even from those closest to them. In addition, it may be tempting for them to ignore the problem because it seems easier. The most common symptoms that can tell if someone is suffering from addiction are:
Behavioral change
- The development of problems at work or school
- Lying about use and amount
- Showing aggressive behavior when asked about use
- The change of groups of friends
- Secretive behavior, lying, stealing
- The change in normal habits or mood swings
- Stop social activities
Physical changes
- More often an intoxicated/intoxicated attitude
- Memory or cognitive problems
- Unusual tiredness or bloodshot eyes
- Rapid weight fluctuations
- Poor hygiene and physical care
3 Emotional and Behavioral Barriers That Thwart Addiction Treatment
As much as you want to help a friend or family member, it is normal for people who suffer from addiction to exhibit negative behaviors and attitudes when confronted with their addiction. Many people will respond in the following ways:
Denial
Part of the reason addiction is so difficult to treat is because the addict refuses to accept that he or she has a problem. For those around the addict, it can be frustrating and confusing to watch them destroy themselves and continue to deny the addiction.
Anger
When confronted, the addict will deny that he/she has a problem and will habitually react angrily, even if he/she is not urged to do so. People with an addiction generally feel attacked quickly, making them defensive. This can make them appear aggressive if the issue of their use is raised. Even the nicest approach can be met with anger.
Avoid
The addict may begin to avoid the person who confronts them with their addiction and avoid talking about their problems. An addict will often use avoiding confrontation as a coping method to avoid problems. This allows this avoidance behavior to continue and the person to close off from you and other loved ones who confront them with the addiction.
This is how you can help a friend or family member!
As a boyfriend, girlfriend, partner, or family member, it's hard to watch a loved one destroy their life. But luckily you don't have to watch from the sidelines and you can even help your loved one in tackling their addiction. It is of great importance that the person who is addicted to realize that he or she has a problem. To help with that, we have listed a few tips:
- Address problems as early as possible. But talk about behaviour, not use. Always be open and offer a listening ear during the first few conversations. Show that you have identified the problem, but also show that your loved one is your priority.
- Talk about it when he/she is sober. It's no use talking about it when he/she is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Don't solve problems for them. He/she has to do this himself in order to experience the consequences of his/her behavior. You can support them in this.
- Normalize talking about problems, but don't cover up the problem.
- Do not doubt yourself as a helping hand, because you yourself are not the problem. Also determine your own boundaries and protect your own interests when necessary.
- Look up information about addiction and possibly the substance that is used. As soon as you have more knowledge of this, you can become more understanding of the situation in which your loved one finds herself.
- Focus on assistance.
The recovery process from an addiction is tough and can demand a lot from the addicted person. Especially when they are all alone in this. There are also special treatments in which you, as a family member, are involved in the process of recovery to give the addict extra motivation to register. For example, Castle Craig offers the family program. With this treatment you, as a family member, friend or girlfriend, become part of the support network during the treatment.
Do you want more information? Please feel free to contact us on 088-7707077. Or sign up directly via this link: register here