fbpx

Addiction: 5 things you need to know

help-life-preserver-belt-sky-rescue-17173335

Those of you who have suffered through the addiction of a loved one know how exhausting it is. The fact that they are such amazing manipulators blurs all the lines whips your emotions from one end to another.

But if you’ve set boundaries to protect yourself from the mayhem also knows as addiction, you need to keep these things in mind:

1. It’s really very hard to go from “tough love” to “rescue mode.”

They are polar opposites in terms of emotions. But often that’s what we have to do to save a loved one. Knowing that might be how it will happen, can help you prepare for it emotionally and make the switch when you need to.

2. A cry for help is often not pretty.

Even if it’s a cry for attention, give it to them. The amount of shame they feel while they are using is overwhelming. They feel utterly worthless. Their cry for help can often sound threatening. While you need to protect yourself, always ask them if they want your help to find recovery. But also protect yourself. If your addict has a history of violence, they you are right to keep your distance for your safety.

3. The window of opportunity to help is very narrow

And you have to go for it when it comes and fast which brings me to the next point…

4. Get educated and have a plan in place

Talk to other parents, others in recovery. ASK them what their rock bottom was so you might be able to see it. Where will you take them? What can you afford? Is there a mental illness involved? Who takes your insurance? (Here in Richmond, I recommend the Family Education Group at Northstar Community for education)

5. Use this guide published by a recovery professional

Get updates to this blog by subscribing 

Related posts:

Published by

AnneMoss Rogers

AnneMoss Rogers is a mental health and suicide education expert, mental health speaker, suicide prevention trainer and consultant. She is author of the Book, Diary of a Broken Mind and co-author of Emotionally Naked: A Teacher's Guide to Preventing Suicide and Recognizing Students at Risk with Kim O'Brien PhD, LICSW. She raised two boys, Richard and Charles, and lost her younger son, Charles to addiction and suicide on June 5, 2015. She is a motivational speaker who empowers by educating and provides life saving strategies and emotionally healthy coping skills. As talented and funny as Charles was, letting other people know they matter was his greatest gift. And now that's the legacy she carries forward in her son's memory. Mental Health Speakers Website.

One thought on “Addiction: 5 things you need to know”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Share via
Copy link
Powered by Social Snap