Counseling for Friends & Family of Alcoholics or Addicts
More often than not, addictions start with the experimental use of a drug or alcohol in social situations. Many individuals can become addicts themselves due to a predisposition to addiction from their family of origin. As time passes, a person may feel the need to use more of their drug of choice to get a desired high, and soon a person may need the drug to simply feel “good” or “normal”. Below is an illustration of how addiction works in these individuals.
As friends and family members of those with substance abuse issues, we do everything we can to help. But sometimes, our unconditional love, efforts to “get them sober”, or attempts to control their environment to prevent them from using, simply isn’t enough. Seeing them in active addiction is usually too much for most of us.
Signs and symptoms of recent use include:
- The feeling of exhilaration and excess confidence
- Increased alertness
- Increased energy and restlessness
- Behavior changes or aggression
- Rapid or rambling speech
- Dilated pupils
- Delusions and hallucinations
- Irritability or changes in mood
If your loved one comes to mind with any of the above symptoms and behaviors, consider how this impacts you.
When living with or loving someone with alcoholism or addiction, unhealthy behaviors, anxiety, depression, “process addictions” or obsessions with the alcoholic or addict’s illness can begin to develop. Loved ones need as much support and recovery opportunities as their family members do.
I believe that there are many paths to successful recovery that will work with the goals and desires of you and your loved one. If as a child, you witnessed chronic substance abuse in a parent or family member or currently love someone with addiction issues let me support you in your own recovery. Contact me today for a consultation.