It is important always to remember that healing from alcohol use disorders is a process. The quitting process takes time, and it may even take a toll on your patience, but when that process is over, you will get your loved one back, and it will be worth everything. It may sound easier said than done, but many things in life are worth the wait. Helping someone get rid of addictive behavior is a long process; having patience allows for a process to unfold at its own pace and ensures that the result is long-lasting. This is especially true for more complicated issues, like addiction recovery and healing. Here’s how you can get help for a loved one so they can heal.
It is essential to set aside any personal expectations and judgments regarding your loved one. You have to change your perspective and avoid inward thoughts such as how you would have done things and how it would have taken you less time to heal or get over your substance use disorder. An inward perspective doesn’t aid your loved one on their journey and can even be detrimental, causing doubt or insecurity. Both you and your loved one need to trust in the process of their healing journey. In this article, you can learn more on how to get help for a loved one so they can heal.
How to Get Help for a Loved One so They Can Heal
Demonstrating empathy to people with addiction and showing a person that you can see things how they look from their perspective is a great way to build a connection during recovery. This will help turn your perspective outward and let you know what your loved one is going through as they heal and find ways to rebuild the life they lost to their addictive behavior.
Take a second and consider all the people who are in your life. They can be your friends, family, classmates, coworkers, or even your associates. According to statistics, 1 in 5 of these individuals is living with mental disorders. You may have noticed them struggling or not giving their best in certain situations, but this may not have been immediately obvious if you’re not a trained mental health professional. Watching someone you know struggle can leave you feeling helpless. But you can help!
Here are a few tips on being a support system through the healing journey of those you love who are struggling with addictive behavior and mental health issues.
Educate Yourself
Knowing what signs to look for allows you to be supportive in the early stage of your loved one’s recovery. Familiarizing yourself with common symptoms will allow you to understand their problems and to communicate with them about what you see. Taking a course or joining a support group, like alcoholics anonymous, at a treatment center with people who can relate to the challenges you and your loved one are experiencing will benefit your family dynamics and increase your knowledge.
Remain Calm
Recognizing that a loved one may need support can be daunting. Attempting to stay overly relaxed might make you appear disrespectful or hostile and may result in you addressing the person impulsively out of impatience. Try being polite and conscious. Before acting, take time to understand your loved one’s symptoms and your relationship. Writing some notes about how you feel and what you want to say may help you recognize and appreciate your thoughts and feelings. This can help you slow down while connecting with your loved one and help you articulate your ideas more clearly.
Be Respectful and Client
Ensure that your goal is to encourage healing before talking to others about their mental health. Ask if you can assist in their healing journey and be careful not to come off as commanding or overbearing. While it is okay to encourage a person to seek help, it is not acceptable to demand it. Let them know that if they ever want to talk in the future or need a shoulder to lean on, you’re available.
Listen to Your Loved One
Don’t disregard their narrative by comparing it to other people or situations. You can consider a connection to your own experience, but sharing your story may cause the person to withdraw or feel like they’re not being heard. Additional resources can help you, and your loved one communicate more openly, including hotlines, books, and community providers or initiatives. While these are excellent sources of help, it is important to remember to listen carefully before providing advice. Having others share personal aspects of their mental health is an honor; be present and listen to know how you can get help for a loved one so they can heal.
Support Them
One of the easiest ways to help is to ask how. Trying to be somebody’s therapist can be frustrating and dismissive, but by asking them how you can help, you are opening yourself to caring for your loved one in ways they are prepared to receive. This empowers them to control their recovery while letting them know that you are a source of assistance.
Establish Your Boundaries
It’s important to consider both your boundaries and theirs as you support your recovering loved one. You are also vulnerable to neglecting yourself and your needs in the process when attempting to help them. Setting certain restrictions or boundaries will help you maintain your own levels of health and self-care. It is essential to make sure that you are not working harder than they are in their healing journey. Balance is key.
Is Addiction a Family Disease?
Unfortunately, the disease of drug addiction is a pervasive disease with an influence that stretches well beyond the addicted person. This means that the impact of alcohol or drug addiction on emotional, physical, and social health can apply to individuals who have never used a drug or even had a sip of alcohol. In truth, no one can escape possible substance abuse, and no one is immune to the reach of drug abuse, especially the family members of an addicted person. Because families are so intertwined in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, healing works both ways.
Get in touch with us today to find help for a loved one so they can heal and improve their quality of life.
