How do I cope with my family's drug abuse and try manage to feel connected to them so that I'm not alone ?
9 Answers
Last Updated: 01/18/2021 at 5:02pm
Moderated by
Alex DS Ellis, MA, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist
Feeling depressed or anxious can be so overwhelming. I want to help you feel better and be able to enjoy life. You are not alone and you deserve emotional support.
Top Rated Answers
Alnon meetings are a great support system. It will give you a chance to listen and share stories similar to your own.
Try showing affection and being part of what happens to your family everyday. Show them that you care. I think that's definitely a good start.
Talking to people is the best way - there are groups in person for family of those addicted to substances that can be of tremendous support. Connecting with your family means opening lines of communication and being ready to fully understand and hear what others have to and need to stay. It's a part of the healing process to listen and validate everyone who is affected by this substance abuse.
you should treat them normally and assume that they had done nothing. a day will come when they realize it and wish they control it
Anonymous
June 15th, 2015 1:55pm
Attendance to Naranon meetings which is a support group for family and friends affected by drug abuse. They have meetings in most large towns and cities. You can look on internet for location of meetings or phone book for phone numbers. Also Narcotics Anonymus meetings may be of benifit to help understand an addict and meet addicts who are clean. (Free from drugs)
My father was a drug addict and was in and out of prison all through my child/teen years. He missed out on so much of my life and to be honest there was a part of me that really thought I hated him.
The best thing you can do, and honestly it is the hardest, is to forgive them. This is the only thing that actually started the process of me wanting to actually talk to him. You really don't have to forget, in fact you shouldn't because you can still love someone but not support them. I Support no decision my father makes, but I didn't even want to have a relationship with him at all until I learned to forgive him. If you are feeling alone, then yo have to try and let your family know and just say that they are hurting you by the irresponsible things they are doing. Its always so tricky but the end result is worth it.
Asking for help is a good start, talking about how you feel with others about your family's drug abuse will help. There are support groups you can join where you can talk to other kids going through the same things as you. In the group, you will learn about addiction and way of coping. How are you feeling?
Anonymous
August 14th, 2018 9:33pm
Sadly you can’t changes someone else’s drug use, trying to help someone with addiction can sometimes only drive them farther apart from you, because they feel like you’re forcing your beliefs on them. Addiction is stronger than common sense. Try to stay connected on the subject that don’t concern drugs. You want them to know you’re there for them when they need you and you want to give them positive energy. Your on their side, just not agreeing with their lifestyle. Fighting and arguing won’t do more than create awkward tension.
I too have been through a similar situation. I understand this is a very hard topic to touch on. Try to imagine your situation as if a friend was asking you this same question, what would you say? What would you suggest to someone in the same shoes as you are? What are a few pieces of advice you would give someone that is struggling with the same situation you are in? The answer you give them is indeed the answer you needed all along. The answers are always within you, and to bring them out sometimes you have to seee things from a different perspective.
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