It can be absolutely heartbreaking when you realise someone close to you has a substance misuse problem.
There can also be a huge amount of confusion if drugs, alcohol, and their effects in terms of addiction aren’t something you know much about.
Many people will try to understand what caused the addiction in their loved ones. Unhealthy relationships can develop where you enable the person to use without realising what you’re doing.
Other people might become so hurt and frustrated by the person’s addiction that they stop having anything to do with them.
Addiction is a disease with many distressing consequences. The person with the problem deteriorates mentally and physically, while all around them, people can feel totally helpless and worry to the point of severe stress.
Our team at Rehab 4 Addiction can speak with you about what you and your loved one are going through and what treatments are available in the Painswick region.
There are a few ways you can support the person you love who has an addiction.
It’s important to keep in mind that addiction is an illness and although it comes with many frustrations that aren’t common in other illnesses, it should still be approached as one.
Many people feel as though addiction isn’t an illness because a person “chooses” to drink or do drugs. However, nobody chooses to become an addict.
In fact, there is much scientific evidence and research that reveals how addiction works as a disease.
Substances physically restructure the brain, they completely change bodily functioning. The brain chemicals and bodily hormones no longer work how they’re supposed to.
This is why “just stopping” isn’t an option.
Addiction is an illness that needs to be both physically and psychologically treated. This can be helpful to keep in mind when you speak to your loved one as it can help you to maintain a compassionate approach.
The person you care for will probably “go up and down” in terms of their moods and their emotions will be all over the place. Even if they haven’t drunk or taken drugs for a day or two they will still be feeling the effects.
Many substances can remain in and have an effect on the system with very physical effects for weeks to months.
As someone who loves the addicted person, it’s helpful to keep in mind that thoughts, emotions, and behaviours are influenced even when the substance hasn’t been used recently.
When you love someone who has an addiction the stress and worry of it can become extremely negatively impacting your own health. Many people will live in constant fear that something bad is going to happen.
This can result in anxiety, depression, insomnia, and for some who have their own issues around substance misuse, can increase this.
To support someone effectively, you need to look after yourself. You need to make sure you have the energy to get by each day and in order to support the person’s wellness.
There are a few things you can do such as allotting a certain amount of time each day where you “allow yourself to worry”, for the rest of the day you get on with your own life.
You can access local 12 Step groups which support the carers and people around those who have addictions. These provide emotional support as well as giving ideas on how to develop healthier relationships where there are boundaries.
It’s very easy to let your emotions run wild when you love someone and see how drugs and alcohol are destroying their lives. You might want to cry, shout, beg, nag, or bribe.
As much as this might come more naturally at the moment, these reactions are not healthy and won’t help the situation.
Always take a moment to breathe and think about what you’re saying before responding to someone. Make sure you’re responding from an objective place rather than an emotional space.
Listen to what the person is saying. It can be difficult especially if the person is in denial or doesn’t want to accept help. In these cases, you might simply explain what you see and say that you’re ready to support them to find treatment when they’re ready.
At some point, the person you love will probably admit there is a problem and say they want help. You’ll want to support them in the best way possible.
By knowing what the treatments are in the Painswick area you can immediately make some useful comments.
The Rehab 4 Addiction team has a goal to support as many people as possible into a life of sobriety.
Every member of our team understands the devastating effects of addiction and believes that treatment and rehabilitation are essential in order to change lives and recover.
We are connected to drug and alcohol services in Painswick as well as throughout the UK. We have specialist knowledge on the best treatments and rehabilitation programmes.
The professionals and services we work with have the highest recovery rates in the country.
When you contact us, we can speak with you about your loved one, their problem, the substance, and the goals for treatment. We match people to the most suitable rehab programmes to suit their specific needs.
With the person’s consent, we can then manage all the necessary arrangements in relation to a referral and admission to rehab.
If you want to find out more about rehab programmes in the Painswick area, call the Rehab 4 Addiction team. We’ll answer any questions you have and can guide you through treatment options.
Ultimately, for your loved one to enter rehab services, they’ll have to be willing, but we can talk to them at a later date. In the first instance, we are very happy to speak with you before talking with your loved one.
Call us today on 0800 140 4690.
