Millions of people struggle with addiction every day, and this does not necessarily mean that the person struggling is the one with the addiction. Addiction affects everyone in its orbit, whether it is the person with the addiction or their loved ones surrounding them. Addiction in the home is more common than many people may think, but the good news is that there are many effective ways to get a loved one the help they need and bring peace back under the roof.
Struggling With Addiction in the Home
Addiction in the home does not discriminate. It can affect the wealthy as much as the financially struggling household. It does not matter what race, creed, gender, or identification a family member has, either; addiction is an equal-opportunity offender.
The good news is that anyone can recover from addiction. It has been proven. The key is willingness and getting the right help at the right time. This is where the family can be essential. Often, family members know more about what is going on with a person struggling with addiction than they do themselves. This may be due to denial or just a lack of awareness of the dangers of addiction. The family can be the first step toward getting a loved one help.
Addiction Is a Family Disease
The reality is that addiction is a disease. Many people are under the misconception that addiction is some type of moral failing or choice. This is simply unfounded. Yes, addiction is a disease.
Addiction is also a family disease. This is because addiction can act as a tornado that has the ability to destroy everyone and everything in its path. Addiction affects everyone in the home, often due to family dynamics and proximity.
According to the peer-reviewed journal Social Work in Public Health, “The family remains the primary source of attachment, nurturing, and socialization for humans in our current society. Therefore, the impact of substance use disorders (SUDs) on the family and individual family members merits attention. Each family and each family member is uniquely affected by the individual using substances, including but not limited to having unmet developmental needs, impaired attachment, economic hardship, legal problems, emotional distress, and sometimes violence being perpetrated against him or her.” The good news is that the family is often the first to reach out for help. Of course, it helps to know a little bit about addiction in case this comes up.
The Signs That a Loved One May Be Struggling With Addiction
Now, of course, the signs that a loved one may be struggling are always going to vary based on the individual. However, one can look out for many universal signs and symptoms. The following are just a few:
- Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Loss of appetite and a lack of care regarding physical appearance and well-being
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Not being able to stop once they start to drink or use substances
- Experiencing trouble at work or school
- Causing harm to oneself or others
- Expressing suicidal ideations
Often, people minimize addiction and/or mental illness or even falsely categorize it as that previously mentioned “choice.” However, as one can see, these signs and symptoms are significant and can even be deadly. This is why reaching out for professional help for a family member sooner rather than later is vital. Doing so could mean the difference between short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
Getting a Loved One the Help They Need
Many people are hesitant about reaching out for help for a loved one because they worry that their loved one may hold a grudge against them. The reality is that addiction is life and death, and, while it may take time, a loved one will come to understand your intentions once they have felt the positive effects of recovery.
The key is to reach out to a reputable recovery center. Many of them also offer intervention services that can help you convince a loved one that they need help. Also, many recovery centers offer detox programs, which can be vital to ensure that a loved one starts the recovery process safely and securely.
It is also important to connect with a recovery center that believes in comprehensive care. This means that they utilize multiple modalities for recovery, including psychotherapy, experiential therapy, and holistic healing methods. It is important to have access to a variety of recovery methods because only focusing on one way is never guaranteed to work.
Our Primary Purpose at Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, our primary purpose is to help people (and their loved ones) recover by any means necessary. That is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future.
If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then the time to recover is now. You can do this! We can help.
Many people have parents, children, or siblings who struggle with addiction under the same roof. Navigating this reality and knowing how to get a loved one the help they need is critical for the long-term recovery of the entire family. There is hope and help for everyone involved. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of mental illness, addiction, or co-occurring disorders, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about getting help for addiction in the home, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
