The Self-Centered Behavior Associated with Addiction Creates a Tough Struggle for Families Trying to Deal with the Problem States NJ Addiction Treatment Center
UNION, NJ / ACCESSWIRE / April 2, 2017 / Most people fail to realize just how hard it can be to live around a drug user. When a person is in the throes of addiction, they will usually only care about getting their next fix. Over time, this type of self-centered behavior will affect a family greatly. When a family is dealing with a relative who is chemically dependent on opiates, their main concern is usually getting them the treatment they need. While treating opiate addiction is no easy task, the pain and struggle that a person may endure to overcome their addiction will be well worth it in the end. Summit Behavioral Health, a NJ addiction treatment center, outlines below some of the things a family will need to remember when trying to deal with an opiate dependent person.
No Negative Enabling
Among the biggest problems a family dealing with opiate abuse will have is so-called "negative enabling." If one family member is only concerned with keeping their loved one happy, they will usually give in and allow them to spend their money on the drugs they need. The only thing this type of enabling will do is lead to the addict eventually overdosing.
While saying no to your loved one can be hard, you will have to stand your ground. If a person is hooked on opiates, they will usually go through painful withdrawals if they do not get their daily dose. While it may be hard for you to see your loved one in such pain, you will need to refuse giving them money and instead offer to take them to treatment. For most families, the stress that comes with constantly worrying about the well-being of the opiate drug abuser can take a physical and emotional toll on them.
Outside Support is a Must
Some families try to keep the fact that they have an addict in their midst a secret. Trying to handle all of the pain and anguish that comes along with caring for someone with an addiction problem without any support can lead to a variety of additional problems. Rather than keeping this type of secret, families will need to reach out to friends and drug treatment professionals for help.
The professionals you reach out to will be able to offer advice on how to approach your family member about treatment. The last thing you want to do is make a mistake when the time comes for an intervention. Drug treatment professionals will be able to help you organize the intervention and make sure the right information is conveyed to the suffering drug addicted person in question.