What's the best way to handle a friend or family member's substance abuse? Your first impulse may be to try to "save" your loved one, but there's a fine line between helping and enabling. Understanding how to avoid enabling will make it easier to encourage your loved one to get the treatment they need. Acknowledge [...]
Watching someone you care about spiral out of control is heartbreaking. If your friend or family member is showing signs of an alcohol use disorder, you may feel as though you're hopelessly watching from the sidelines. However, there are several steps you can take to encourage your loved one to acknowledge the problem and begin [...]
There are thousands of self-help books promising to teach readers the secret to leading a better life, including many dealing with addiction recovery. Although you can't cure drug or alcohol addiction simply by reading a book, self-help books can increase your understanding of addiction and help you figure out ways to handle cravings, codependent family [...]
Parents are supposed to provide their children with a source of support, strength, and unconditional love. Unfortunately, the parent-child relationship can be severely strained by the burden of addiction. Find a Way to Confront Your Feelings Parental addiction is more common than one might expect. Studies estimate that more than 28 million people in the [...]
A lasting recovery requires you to replace harmful habits with healthy alternatives. Family-friendly recreation lets you stay on track with your sobriety while making special memories with the people you care about the most. Although it's always a good idea to chat with your family to see what activities are of interest, here are some [...]
Alcoholism can take many forms. While some people end up on the streets or incarcerated as a consequence of their addiction, many others continue to lead outwardly successful lives while struggling with their inner demons. About High Functioning Alcoholism Someone with high functioning alcoholism is able to hold down a job, socialize with friends, and [...]
When you're struggling with a drug and alcohol addiction, having sober role models to look up to can help you stay motivated on the path to recovery. If you're in need of celebrity inspiration, these 7 recovering substance abusers prove that great things are possible when you're willing to commit yourself to getting the help [...]
Codependency is a common response to the challenges associated with loving someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol. Unfortunately, even though the behaviors associated with codependency can seem positive on the surface, they will eventually have the negative effect of continuing to enable your loved one's addiction. Understanding Codependency The term codependent refers to [...]
When your loved one comes home from rehab, it's natural to be nervous about what comes next. This guide will give you a basic framework for navigating some of the common challenges faced during the post-rehab adjustment period. Do Take Time to Educate Yourself If you've never struggled with drug or alcohol abuse yourself, it [...]
Watching a loved one battle addiction is never easy, but having a parent who struggles with substance abuse presents unique challenges. You must balance the desire to see your father or mother get help with the need to address how parental addiction has affected your own mental health. Recognizing the Signs of Parental Addiction In [...]
