Can You Help an Addicted Loved One if They Don’t Want Help?
An addicted loved one can, at the least, be very draining on the people around them, but how can you tell when to let go of a family member struggling with addiction? It can be equally tough to decide when to let go of family members who refuse to address substance use disorders. In many cases, substance abuser does not realize how much of an impact their drug or alcohol abuse has on their loved ones. Drugs and alcohol can lead to problems in many areas of a person’s life, damaging their finances, employment, and relationships. Drug abuse or alcohol abuse can also lead to cooccurring disorders, including everything from depression to types of eating disorders.
Treatment resources are available almost everywhere, but sometimes you must draw the line and prioritize taking care of yourself. No matter whether you have just seen small signs of drug abuse or you know your loved one needs meth treatment, cocaine treatment, heroin treatment, or opioid treatment for prescription medications, call us to find out more about the difference between helping and enabling and when you might need to walk away.
You will never stop caring about your loved one, but there will be times when you can do nothing to help them. As part of our rehab programs at The River Source, we offer education and guidance for loved ones looking to help drug addicts in their lives. It can take several attempts over some time to get someone to agree to help with their alcohol or drug problem. You know your friend or family better than anyone, and if you need help suggesting addiction treatments and ways to approach the subject of rehab, The River Source can support you.
For more information on how our addiction treatment programs can help heal drug or alcohol dependence, please give The River Source a call at 866-294-9331.
When Should You Stop Helping
Loving an addict doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care of yourself. If you feel like you have tried everything with the drug abuser in your life, you’ve called the addiction hotline for advice (1-800-662-4357), you’ve looked into support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, and you’ve suggested all types of drug addiction treatment at rehab centers like The River Source, it may be time to stop trying to help and focus on taking care of yourself.
The Difference Between Helping and Enabling
One of the most significant differences between helping someone and enabling their addict behavior is to ensure that no matter what, they still see the consequences of their drug abuse or alcohol abuse. If you are constantly bailing them out financially or otherwise, they will never think that beginning addiction recovery is necessary. Enabling can lead to the following, often unintended, outcomes:
- Unintentionally supporting addictive habits
- Creating unhealthy family dynamics
- Deterioration of your own health
You can stop enabling addict behavior by allowing your loved one to experience the negative consequences of their alcohol addiction or drug addiction and encouraging them to recognize the connection.
How to Know When to Let Go
When you no longer care for your own needs and your life is suffering, it may be time to let go. It doesn’t mean you have to close the door to an addict’s son, daughter, or other family members entirely, but you have to draw a line and let them know things have gone too far. If they still don’t want proper addiction treatment, there are few actions left to take, and you know when to let go of a family member struggling with addiction.
How to Help a Loved One That’s Ready for Help
At The River Source, we offer drug and alcohol rehab along with many types of support for family members and friends who want to help drug abusers in their lives. Call us at 866-294-9331 today to learn about our substance abuse treatment programs and support services.
