It is hard to stand by and watch your loved one reach rock bottom, maybe by becoming homeless or being arrested. Learning that others feel the same way, about the success and failures others have experienced, and how others have learned to develop healthy boundaries, helps family members to heal themselves and face the challenges. This is where the family support groups help. Until they are forced to face the consequences of their addictive behavior, they will likely not begin their journey to recovery.įamily members may know and be aware that they are enabling their loved one’s addictive behavior, but not know how to stop because of worry and fear of what will happen. By paying their bills, or providing them with housing, or lying to cover for them with work, family, or friends, all we are doing is enabling that individual to continue their addictive behavior. If we protect them from the consequences of their addiction, there is little motivation to stop the substance abuse. Often that leads to us providing support that is actually harmful to the addict. Sharing experiences with each other helps families to relieve the stress they are dealing with, gain insight from others, and develop coping techniques.īecause we love our family members we want to support and protect them. Support groups teach family members how to establish healthy boundaries and avoid enabling their loved ones. That is because the family members learn skills to help the addict, help themselves, and help others within the group. If you are looking for help, Aspire Counseling Services offers help not just for the individuals struggling with alcohol and substance abuse, but also provides help for their family members.Īddicts whose family members attend support groups tend to have higher rates of successful recovery. Family members live with fear and tend to blame themselves. Life becomes focused around the addict and their problems. Most family members are desperate to find a way to help that individual, they just don’t know how. When a member of your family is an addict, it affects the whole family and anyone else involved.

Family support groups ridoc