Substance Abuse: Do You Alone Suffer?

Recovering from drug abuse is not easy and it is nearly impossible without the support of your family, friends or recovery coach. Drug abuse hampers relationships and puts a lot of strain on personal bonds. The process of recovery is hard not only for the addict but for people close to them as well.

James P Foster writes for The Fix about the importance of realizing that an addict is not the only one suffering. Because of their substance abuse, people close to them might also be subject to traumatic states.

 

I’m (NOT) Just Hurting Myself

Families in which a member is actively using or in early recovery are often in crisis management mode. Frustration, anger, and secrecy bring an embattled quality to otherwise ordinary interactions.

 

 While all families periodically struggle to maintain a stable equilibrium, the challenge can be severely magnified when drug and alcohol misuse take up residence. The usual priorities recede into the background as a crisis management environment comes into establishment, replete with the frustration, anger and secrecy that can bring an embattled quality to the most ordinary interactions. Families in which a member is engaged in problematic substance use or in early recovery have often experienced a variety of deleterious consequences that may need to be addressed before a stable recovery and healing can begin. J.P. Foster works on the front lines and never loses sight of the need to assist family members as part of the treatment process….Richard Juman, PsyD

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At Recovery Coach Training, we put emphasis on the well-being of patients and those close to them. We understand how hard it can be. That’s why our coaches are prepared to handle family members carefully as well.