Support for Loved Ones
Supporting a loved one through recovery can be incredibly challenging, so don’t feel like you have to do it alone. Seeking professional help and guidance through family meetings, therapy groups, or various support organizations such as Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and NAMI is paramount if you want your loved one’s healing journey to move smoothly. With help from Agape Detox Center and support groups, it’s comforting to know that there are people ready to nurture your loved ones on their path back home.
Advice for Family & Friends
It can be difficult to know what to do if you have a friend or family member struggling with addiction. You may feel helpless, frustrated, and angry. Agape Detox Center wants to you know that you are not alone.
Many resources can help you deal with your loved one’s alcohol or drug addiction. Organizations such as Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and NAMI can provide support and guidance. Family meetings are also helpful methods of communication and developing a plan of action.
The term “child of an alcoholic” (COA) describes a person raised in a household where one or more alcoholic parents were present. As a result, COAs often grow up feeling isolated, ashamed, and confused. They may also struggle with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. If you are an adult child of an alcoholic, it is important to seek support from organizations such as Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and NAMI. They can provide guidance and understanding as you deal with your parent’s addiction.
Taking Care of Yourself So You Can Care For Others
Caring for a loved one with addiction can be taxing emotionally and physically. Therefore, it is important to take care of yourself so that you can be there for your loved one. This includes getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, and exercising. Additionally, it may be helpful to find a support group or counselor to talk to.
Mutual Support Groups
These groups provide support for the loved ones of addicts. In addition, they offer understanding and guidance as you deal with your loved one’s addiction.
Alcoholics Anonymous
AA, a well-known mutual help group, is open to anyone who wants to stop drinking or maintain abstinence. AA offers in-person meetings, and members are encouraged to work through the 12 Steps of AA under the guidance of a sponsor who has experienced all of the steps themselves.
Dual Recovery Anonymous
Drug and alcohol addiction, as well as other behavioral health conditions involving engagement in problematic use of drugs and alcohol, such as depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, or others, are all part of the Drug Rehabilitation Anonymous (DRA) group. The group is non-professional and overseen by peers, focusing on abstinence and using the Alcoholics Anonymous Twelve Steps.
HAMS (Harm Reduction, Abstinence, and Moderation Support)
This free online support group helps people set and achieve their own goals regarding drinking, whether that means reducing alcohol intake or quitting entirely. HAMS provides information and peer-led support via forums (chat room, email group, Facebook group), podcasts, and articles.
LifeRing Secular Recovery
LifeRing is a non-religious, peer-led program based on the concept of sobriety, secularity, and self-help. This recovery option does not offer any step-by on how to achieve sobriety; instead, it provides non-religious peer support to individuals in recovery from alcohol or other non-medically indicated substances.
Moderation Management
MM is a program for people who want to reduce their drinking. MM does not see alcohol abuse as a disease but rather a behavior that can be unlearned. To achieve this, MM members set their own goals and are given guidance on how much they should drink, different techniques to help them reach these goals, and a nine-step cognitive-behavioral change program.
Groups for Family and Friends
Al-Anon is a 12-step program for friends and family members of alcoholics. When looking for support and understanding, Al-Anon meetings are helpful to those who are affected by someone else’s drinking.
Nar-Anon is a 12-step program for friends and family members of addicts. These meetings provide support and understanding for those affected by someone else’s addiction.
NAMI provides support and education for families and individuals affected by mental illness. They offer resources, support groups, and educational programs.
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Supporting Your Loved One
The detox process is often considered the most difficult aspect of treatment. The body signals that it requires drugs or alcohol to feel normal, making sobriety hard to maintain. There are, however, methods you may use to assist your loved one in maintaining sobriety.
People in detox require as much love and support as possible in addition to medical care. You’ve made the first and most crucial step by studying everything you can about addiction and the detoxification procedure. Apply your expertise with kindness.
A crucial component in understanding how to help a loved one during withdrawals is picturing life after they leave rehabilitation. You should start making your home safe for their return. Some ways you can make your house better are:
- Avoid drugs and alcohol
- Do not purchase or consume alcohol
- Keep prescription drugs in a safe place
- Be willing to go to family counseling sessions
- Come up with fun activities that the whole family can enjoy together
Contact Agape Detox for Additional Support
Agape Detox is committed to providing its clients with the safest and most comfortable detox process. They take a holistic approach to helping people reclaim their lives by achieving total wellness.
Ready to start the journey towards lasting sobriety? Reach out to Agape Detox for help and guidance every step of the way!
- November 25, 2022
- Updated Date: December 13, 2023
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Have any questions?
Stephanie Catalano is an accomplished Clinical Director at Agape Behavioral Healthcare. With a Master of Social Work degree, LCSW license, and extensive training in Rapid Resolution Therapy under her belt, she brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Her unique combination of education and experience allows her to provide exceptional care to clients and lead her team with confidence. Stephanie’s joy comes from witnessing the moments when her patients creatively connect the dots and bravely move toward reclaiming their power. Her purpose is to help individuals understand their past so they can create a future full of hope, growth, and success. Stephanie attributes a large portion of her success to the supportive culture and strong sense of community fostered by the Agape team.
