Find Solutions Now
The Effects of Addiction on the Family
Finding Help For Your Love One
Learning Boundries
The addict is not the only one affected by addiction, not by far! It is often the person or people supporting the addict that will greatly suffer physical and mental challenges. The trauma and constant chaos can be wearing, and you may find yourself behaving in a way you do not recognize. Our lives become unmanageable and sometimes unrecognizable to what they once were. You need your own recovery; you need to learn how to navigate this in a healthy way, make better choices, and take care of yourself FIRST. You cannot help them if you are in a constant state of panic and despair. We will walk through it together, and you will learn skills to better handle each situation, and this will lessen your anxiety, stress, and guilt.
Understanding Enabling VS Helping
Wanting to help a loved one when they are suffering is natural, but the lines can quickly become blurred when it applies to addiction. When we step in to help an addict, we are often giving them the message that we do not believe they can do it on their own; so often we are hindering their recovery instead of helping. This is even the truth when they are begging for our help, which is most often the case. Learning the difference is vital and we will talk through the scenarios so you can be confident that your choices are contributing to their recovery, and not to their addiction.
Does my loved one really have an addiction? Is it addiction, untreated mental illness, or both? When do I know if treatment is needed? Can't they stop on their own? How can I find treatment for my loved one? Navigating a loved one's battle with addiction is complex and finding a solution or help can be complicated. We will discuss what addiction looks like and you will learn the characteristics of addiction. I will help you with understanding where your loved one is in their addiction, and identify and address warning signs. I will assist you with safety plans and finding resources for crisis situations. You will learn about the different treatment options available, the steps to rehabilitation, and assistance with finding treatment. You will feel empowered and in better control of your life with this knowledge.
Learn to Self Care in Crisis
It is difficult to live your life normally when there is a family member in the throes of addiction. You may not want to socialize, engage in activities that were once enjoyable, vacation, or travel. Burnout and stress are often unavoidable when dealing with addiction and can often lead to depression. Having self-compassion, changing your thought process, connecting with understanding people, or taking a walk; are a few examples of positive self-care. I will guide you in discovering new ways to care for yourself along this journey regardless of what your living situation may be.
Boundaries are a necessary element in recovery, for you and for the person suffering from addiction. But.. setting boundaries can often be scary and very uncomfortable. No one wants to make a living situation worse by rocking the boat. Healthy boundaries help people define who they are to ensure relationships are safe, supportive and respectful. Consequences are the key to inspiring change. Addiction thrives in secrecy and avoidance, but transparency from both the addict and their loved ones is the only way to reach and maintain recovery. You will learn how to set boundaries in your life in a loving, respectful way. We will discuss what healthy boundaries look like and how to stick with them when they are challenged.
Finding Ways
to Let Go
Letting go does not mean that we stop caring for the person who is suffering. It does mean that we decide to stop focusing on things outside of our control. The support group for families, Al-Anon, says that we did not Cause it, we cannot Control it, and we cannot Cure it; so that is a lot to let go of! We will look at healthy ways to let go, stop negative thinking, and stop focusing on what the addict is doing and not doing. Taking control of your thought patterns is an important part of recovery, you will be amazed at how clear your mind can be when you are able to change your focus and become the master of your thought process.
About Me
I am a certified Family Recovery Coach and received additional training certification in Mindset for Success. I have developed my own program specifically designed for family members of addicted loved ones. At the heart of my work is helping others navigate this difficult journey of caring about someone who is struggling with addiction. With my own experience, I found that finding support and understanding was difficult and frustrating when I felt the urgency of needing answers NOW. I have over 20 years of life experience with loving someone with addiction, and I have taken all of that knowledge and developed an 8-week program to help others. Having addiction in my marriage was difficult, but I certainly was not prepared when addiction afflicted my son. This reality left me overwhelmed and at times, hopeless. I originally sought out any help I could find to help him overcome this challenge; desperate to find the answers, trying to find a road map for how I could make him better. Only to discover that by helping myself, I was helping him. I learned that we may not be able to control their addiction, but we can develop skills and adjust our thinking to make better choices that can contribute to their recovery…. and this process always starts with our OWN recovery first. My aim is to help you to make decisions you feel good about and find peace and hope regardless of where your loved one is in their addiction.