Four Ways Your Behavior may be Hurting the Addict in Your Life
Having friends that are addicts can be a difficult path to walk down. You care about them, but you also don’t want to influence their use of substance abuse. It may seem like you are doing your best to treat the addict in your life with the best of care, but there are several key steps you can take to not hurt the person you know that is dealing with substance abuse.
Being judgement free, refusing to enable them with money, covering up their behavior, or refusing to join in their addiction are the ways that you can avoid making like more difficult for them.
Judgment
It can be good to let the addict in your life know you are concerned and there for them. Sometimes the cold, hard truth can get through to them rather than sugar coating everything. However, the last thing addicts want is for you to judge them.
If you talk to them, let them know you understand and are there for them instead of calling them names, or not treating them with respect. If you anger them, it can just make them withdraw from you and then it is unlikely they will want to pursue help.
If you can make them trust and understand what you have to say, you have a chance at convincing them to get help. According to NIH, understanding is a key component to helping the problem.
Enabling with Money
Judging the addict will just make them angry and they won’t want to confide in you for help.
Do not enable their addiction by giving them money to spend on it. Do not give them loans, even if they say it is to help them get on their feet. When they have the money, it becomes a temptation to use it on their addiction. According to SAMHSA, enabling only fuels the addiction.
You do not want to put them in the position of battling with their own addiction by giving them the cash.
Covering Up
Do not cover up for their poor behavior. It is important that they face the repercussions of what their addiction does. If they can see that their addiction is bringing them pain, and problems, they will want to stop. The more you defend them, the more it seems like what they are doing is okay.
Joining In
Joining in on their addiction is a huge red flag. Even if it seems harmless to do it once, you are again, trivializing their problem. You are making it seem like it is okay because you are doing it too. It also will weaken your argument if you try to discuss their problem because they will know you have don’t it as well.
Make sure your behavior is not harmful toward the addict in your life. You want to make sure you provide the best support for them and be there for them through this time. Make sure you take the time to think about what you say and do around them in order to provide them with the best support you can. If you need help, contact us at 888-647-0051 (Who Answers?) .
Choosing a Family Therapist to Help You Overcome Your Loved One’s Addiction
A family therapist can help you understand your loved one’s addiction and start working toward resolving the problems associated with it.
