As a recovery center that has decades of experience in treating those who are struggling with addiction, there are things you should know about addiction. We have listed the most important things you should know about addiction below:
#1. They Lie to Themselves
Have you ever confronted a person who is addicted to substances and they justified their behavior? They may have told you that they use their drug of choice to relax. A person who is addicted will minimize their addictive behavior with a myriad of reasons why they do not have a problem. This is especially true for those who are “high functioning addicts” as they still have a job, a house and their health. An alcoholic may say that they are at least not using illicit street substances and an illicit drug user will say they are at least not alcoholics. There will always be denial, no matter what the substance is.
#2. Addiction is Not a Moral Dilemma
People suffering from the disease of addiction are not bad people, but they do bad things for their addiction. They have a brain disease that makes them have poor judgment and decision making skills. This disease is progressive and the consequences are always negative and extremely destructive.
#3. Every Addict Needs an Enabler
The enabler is usually the person closest to the addicted individual. Without realizing it, the enabler makes the addicted loved on sick by making excuses for them. An enabler has a hard task cleaning up after the addicted person. The addicted loved one will know who they can easily manipulate. There are cases where an addicted spouse may use verbal abuse to get what they want. Where there are addictive substances, there is no love. Being in a relationship with an addicted person will never be safe or satisfying. The main focus of an addicted person is their drug of choice.
#4. Shame is their defect
People who suffer from the disease of addiction experience great shame. A person who abuses substances does not feel good in their own skin. They wear the mask of grandiosity, humor, and strength. Their inner struggle is wresting with their flesh on a daily basis and getting high is a way they cope with this. They are their own worst judge and believe they are too weak to stop their addiction.
#5. You cannot love them better
As an enabler, you have loved the addicted person at your own expense. You have bent over backward to keep them happy and yet they still push you away and treat you badly. You are tired of the ups and downs and start to believe that you have somehow caused this. Maybe you have made mistakes, but the biggest mistake you can make is sacrificing your sanity for someone in full blow addiction mode.
#6. Addiction makes the whole family sick
When you are in a relationship with an addicted person, you are affected. You struggle with negative factors such as:
- Betrayal
- Hurt
- Regret
- Resentment
- Anxiety
- Financial problems
- Health problems
- Walking on eggshells
- Fear
- Grief
#7. If your addicted loved one is angry at you, you are doing the right thing
Tough love is harder on the giver than it is on the receiver. Sadly, it is the last straw and the only way that will get them to admit they need help. It is vital for those who are close to an addicted person to set healthy boundaries. They will not like these boundaries at all as it takes them out of their comfort zone. Do not make it too easy for the addicted loved one and you will be saving their life.
The good news is that there is hope. Your addicted loved one can get better and maintain a life of sobriety. Get in contact with us and we will get you onto the path of recovery from addiction.
Things that you should know about addiction: source
https://arcajhb.com/2020/02/19/drug-addiction-treatment-signs-of-drug-use/
