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Tips for Supporting a Loved One Struggling With Addiction
fruityPond7887 November 5th, 2022


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"Helping someone struggling with substance use can be a very difficult and emotional journey, made worse by lack of understanding, fear, and the impact of stigma and shame. You’ve probably heard people say “They have to hit rock bottom,” making you feel as if there’s nothing you can do to help or that you’re “codependent” or an “enabler,” which makes you feel you shouldn’t help or have a problem yourself. To top it off, words commonly used to describe the person you care about (“alcoholic,” “addict,” “dirty,” “junkie”) are loaded with stigma, shame, and pessimism about the potential for change. If confrontation, interventions or detachment are all you feel you can do, you may be relieved to know there’s a kinder and more effective way to help.

There are several effective evidence-based strategies (i.e., backed by science) for helping people struggling with substance use, including Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral treatments and CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) to name a few. The Invitation to Change ApproachⓇ (ITC) puts them together in a user-friendly way that lay people (family, friends, first responders, educators, faith-based leaders) and health professionals (nurses, doctors, therapists and recovery coaches) can use in their efforts to help. The ITC helps you understand substance use from a whole new perspective that improves collaboration and gives you practical communication and behavior tools that promote change. Maybe most importantly, the ITC will help you have hope that things can get better, for everyone.

Behaviors make sense.

What if I told you I could help you feel less depressed, be funnier, have less physical pain, feel more excited to go to work, lose weight, get a good night’s sleep? We all engage in behaviors (such as exercising, going to religious services, dancing, protesting, eating cookies) because they’re valuable to us for some reason. They help us feel good, reduce anxiety, feel connected to our friends, alleviate pain, etcetera. The pull to use substances is no different: if it works in some way, we keep doing it.

One size does not fit all. Every individual using substances and their families are unique. The current scientific evidence indicates psychological, biological, and social factors contribute to substance use and that the mix of factors for each person is different. Understanding that one size does not fit all invites you and your loved one to find change in a way that works for them and for you.

Self-compassion goes the distance. People in emergency-helper mode often forget to take time for themselves, get enough sleep, find small pleasures, or keep in touch with friends. Your emotional resilience, physical health, social supports, and perspective on change all matter. To paraphrase the classic airplane safety announcement: we need to secure our own oxygen masks before assisting others. Practicing self-kindness and self-care will sustain your helping efforts, and model behaviors that the person you are trying to help will need as they consider and make changes.

Practice, practice, practice. Last but not least, nothing new can happen without new learning and practice. As people try to make changes, they need room to make mistakes and try to let the discouraging moments roll past. This is true for the person you are hoping to help and for you. The information and skills that make up the Invitation to Change are not a quick fix, but are meant to help create the conditions for change; they will help you effectively support a person in making positive changes and help you thrive in the process."

*I really love this empathetic and holistic approach to supporting someone with addiction. As stated in the article, addiction is not one size fits all. Each person, family, and situation is different. It's important to remember that each situation is multifaceted and will need a unique approach. At the core, it's important to take time for ourselves and make sure we are fully-charged and able to handle the unpredictiability that comes with helping someone with addiction. We can't pour from an empty cup. You are all amazing and 7 Cups is here for anyone who may be supporting someone with addiction. Please don't hesitate to reach out. Do you know anyone who struggles with addiction? What do you do to support them? What do you do to take care of yourself in the process?*

Please find the full article at Thrive Global.



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fruityPond7887 OP November 5th, 2022

#Addiction #Support #SelfCare

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