Man hikes a lonely path in wilderness

Gaining Perspective on a Loved One’s Addiction

Living with someone who is struggling with addiction is more than simply living with someone who uses or abuses a substance regularly. Addiction often stems from mental health problems, which can have a huge impact on both mood and behavior. Although this may impact us negatively, it is important to gain some perspective on the matter to be able to hold space and help them along the journey that is recovery. As a provider of intervention services in Virginia, we here at Recovery Care Partner are experienced in helping people recover from addiction. One thing we have to remind the friends and family of each of our clients is that their loved one’s recovery is far from over. The journey of recovery will be lifelong for some people and will require support from a community that both love and understand.

Here are some ways that you can gain perspective on a friend or family member’s addiction.

Speak to Them

If you’re close enough to, say, contact us about our intervention services in Virginia, then you may be close enough to talk to them directly. Although this can also be a recipe for discomfort and in some case’s aggression, we encourage you to use your judgment. This doesn’t have to be a confrontation, and should adhere to the Seven C’s of Communication:

– Clear

– Concise

– Concrete

– Correct

– Consideration

– Complete

– Courteous

To bone up on these, and what they mean in communication, you may want to read about them here.

Speak to Others in Recovery

Because of the proliferation of both drugs and poor mental health in modern society, chances are you know someone who is further along with their recovery than the individual in question. Speaking with them about their journey can be a great way to get some insight into the recovery of your friend or family member.

Generally Applicable

Remember that while their journey may sound remarkably similar from the outside, there will be plenty of nuances that will set them apart. Try not to directly apply assumptions about your friend or family member’s recovery based on the other person’s recovery. Instead, try and catch the gist of the feelings, and consider how your loved one might feel different.

Not Yours to Share

While some anecdotes from your friend who is further in recovery may be helpful to the individual just starting, relaying details of their stories can be invasive. Be sure to respect the privacy of anyone else’s recovery stories, as they tend to be very revealing. If you think it will be helpful, you may be better off setting up a meeting between the two.

Speak to Experts

There’s also been a huge growth in people who help addicts recover through various means. All kinds of experts can explain how and why your loved one may be feeling how they do, and what you can do to help. If you can, speak to experts from a few different fields to get a more holistic understanding.

Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Counselors

In terms of understanding what’s happening in their mind, these are the best experts to speak to. It’s best to find one that hasn’t worked with your loved one, to preserve doctor-patient confidentiality. They will be able to help you understand what might be going through your loved one’s head, and they may advise on how to communicate with them effectively.

Nutritionists and Personal Trainers

In terms of their body, nutritionists and personal trainers who are experienced in helping people recover can give accurate advice. Addiction leads to all kinds of surpluses and deficiencies, which will need to be managed to ensure the body comes back to its natural state. Diet and exercise advice can be especially helpful if you’re living with them, as you will have plenty of opportunities to help.

Priests, Monks, and Spiritual Leaders

If your loved one is a spiritual person, then seeking an expert from their faith can be a great way to gain insight into how their spirit or soul is coping post-addiction. As previously mentioned, addiction often relates to deeply personal issues, which can also be entangled with one’s sense of spirituality.

You may also seek out Al-Anon or Nar-anon who are organizations specifically targeted at helping friends and family members of people who are addicted to alcohol or narcotics.

Provider of Intervention Services In Virginia

Not just a provider of intervention services in Virginia, we here at Recovery Care Partner are a network of professionals whose aim is to help people start and continue their recovery. We offer a range of recovery-related services, which include plenty of post-treatment options. Check out our website to get an idea of how we can help, or call us today.