There are millions of people who struggle with substance abuse and addiction.

Unfortunately, this addiction doesn't only affect them.

Everyone is affected by addiction, especially the family members of drug addicts.

There are many things you can do to navigate your way through this issue.

Learn All You Can About Addiction

Family members of drug addicts should take the time to learn how addiction is a disease that's rooted deep within a person's brain.

You can use this knowledge to help you escape from the blame game and any resentment you feel.

You'll no longer believe that the person's addiction is caused by their weakness, stubbornness, choices, or willfulness.

There are many online resources, books, and research studies available to help you feel confident that eventually addiction will be conquered.

Create an Understanding Support System

Living with and supporting those in addiction is challenging and stressful for family members of drug addicts.

The long-term dysfunction of these relationships strains relationships and causes mistrust.

One way to manage these feelings is to connect with other family members of drug addicts.

Therapy is another option.

Either way, you want a safe nonjudgmental space where you can learn, discuss, and cope with the addiction that's unfolding in your midst.

Attend Family Therapy

Family members of drug addicts tend to absorb many of the consequences of addiction that their loved ones face.

Some find that talking about these feelings is difficult so they keep things hidden away inside them.

Others tend to blame themselves or their loved ones for how unhappy their addiction is making them.

Both of these things will prevent your family from getting the help it needs.

The best thing family members of drug addicts can do for themselves is engage in family therapy.

Doing so ensures that everyone has the opportunity to be heard and work through things in a healthy way.

Instead of being angry with one another, you'll learn to support one another through engaging in healthy communication and boundary setting.

These things are vital for everyone's mental health and well-being.

Manage Expectations

Once family members of drug addicts engage in their loved one's recovery journey they'll start feeling a great sense of hope.

This is because everything seems to be getting addressed and improving now.

However, you should expect that this journey will take a long time.

Old habits are hard to replace so don't be too disappointed when your loved one makes mistakes.

Relapses are especially disheartening.

When they happen you should remember that this doesn't mean that anyone has failed.

Addiction is a chronic disease and relapse is a normal part of the journey.

Although steps can be taken to prevent relapses, they may still occur.

You also need to be careful about what you expect from yourself.

Both time and effort are required to mend broken relationships.

Family members of drug addicts who are in early recovery will make mistakes.

This doesn't mean you can't enjoy spending time together, actively supporting one another.

Conclusion

Family members of drug addicts don't need to walk alone through this journey.

Our counselors at Overcomers Counseling are here to help you.

We'll walk alongside you as you take time to heal mentally from the impact of addiction.

Take time to talk to us today.

Resources 

https://www.nar-anon.org/

https://www.smartrecovery.org/family/