Tips on Living With Someone Addicted at Home

By Barbara Odozi 

After a long day of work or a stressful experience, returning to the family is a blissful moment. Living with loved ones can be a source of immense strength as members come together to share sorrows and successes. However, the experience turns bitter if any member is grappling with substance abuse. The usual course of living gets disrupted as addiction puts financial, mental and emotional burden on everyone. It destroys peace and changes the family dynamics.

Here are some tips to help a family live with a person addicted to drugs or alcohol, and maintain their sanity:

• Getting educated - These days, there are plenty of resources available online through which one can gain a lot of information about substance abuse. Addiction is not a moral failing, rather a disease of the brain. Getting educated can help the family to arrange for appropriate intervention or resources to help the one suffering.


• Connecting with support groups - Living with a person hooked to alcohol or drugs can be draining for rest of the family members. The situation can turn worse with physical and verbal abuse. It is important to encourage the suffering person connect with support groups and participate in their sessions regularly. These groups provide a platform to give vent to feelings, understand the problem in a better way and feel positive. Listening to other people's stories can be very encouraging. The support groups organize many family therapy sessions as well in order to strengthen the bond, think beyond blame games and silences, and work towards creating a better environment at home.


• Eating together - In the fast-paced life, it is easier to grab a snack at work or eat while commuting back from work. But at least one mealtime should be there when all the members can sit together, pray and eat. The family time gives an opportunity to all to talk about their day, share problems and feel connected.


• Taking care of self - Dealing with addiction at home can sometimes get overwhelming. While family members try to understand the problem as much as possible, it is equally important for them to look after their health. The loved ones should indulge in therapeutic activities like reading, painting, singing, attending concerts, gardening, playing with children, cooking or charity.


• Doing regular exercise - Any form of physical exercise is known to alleviate stress levels. By participating in workout sessions or joining a dance class, one can stay invigorated. The person suffering from an addiction should be encouraged to take such sessions jointly to get the double effect - of relaxing the mind and staying happy with the family.


• Looking after other things - Restricting the addicted person's access to finances, removing triggers that boost addiction, arranging for professional support, avoiding stress and taking life one day at a time are some of the other ways which can help a family to cope better with an addiction.

Professional support is necessary

Sometimes, despite our best intentions and efforts, we fail to function as one family. In those circumstances, it is best to institute professional intervention and seek experts' assistance. It is better to take action before the problem goes out of hand.

If you or your loved one is suffering from an addiction, contact the Colorado Detox Helpline to get connected to the best treatment centers in Colorado. These centers offer evidence-based treatment for holistic recovery, which usually begins with detoxification. Call our 24/7 helpline 866-730-5807 to get further information on state-of-the-art detox treatment centers in Colorado and other parts of the country.

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