6 Crucial Mistakes to Avoid When Your Loved One Has a Drug Addiction

Despite millions of people in the United States having a drug use disorder, it’s easy to assume it will never hit close to home. That you’ll never have to deal with a loved one addicted to drugs and the terrible consequences that come along with it. However, for many families, that ends up being the reality, and they don’t always know what to do when it happens. As a result, it’s easy to make these mistakes: 

Ignoring the Issue

You may not know how to help loved ones struggling with addiction, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the issue. This approach is all too common, with people hoping that by ignoring or downplaying it out of fear, denial, or discomfort, it will simply disappear.

However, drug addiction doesn’t just stop existing because you pretend it doesn’t. It will continue to rear its ugly head in your family until the person with it decides to take action. That’s why the better approach is to face the situation honestly and have an open and compassionate conversation when your loved one is sober. 

Taking On the Fixer Role

Seeing your family member in the throes of addiction can be heartbreaking and stressful, and your first thoughts might be to control or fix their addiction all on your own. This can look like monitoring their habits and movements and dictating their behaviors.

This is no way for anyone to live, especially as most everyday people don’t have the tools to cure addiction. Instead, encourage your family member to seek professional help and focus on what you can control, such as the support you can provide and the boundaries you can set. 

Enabling the Behavior

You don’t want to see your loved one in pain or falling apart, which is why it can be such a seamless step from learning about drug addiction to enabling the behavior. When you love someone, it’s easy to make excuses, financially support them, cover for them, and rescue them from the consequences of their actions.

However, there are natural consequences for addiction, and these can play out while you’re still having compassion for your loved one. You can offer emotional support, rather than material support. 

Neglecting Yourself

While you’re busy trying to help someone in your family battling addiction, you’re neglecting your own mental health. As you’re pouring all your energy into someone else, your own trauma, stress, and burnout are sitting unresolved. 

You can’t adequately support someone else if you’re already entirely depleted. Set boundaries with your loved one and seek help to maintain your well-being. Talking to a friend or a therapist, or even joining a support group for the loved ones of addicts, may be the respite you need.  Alongside professional help, don’t forget to participate in activities that bring you joy and peace, like nature walks, painting, or gardening. 

Keeping the Situation a Secret

There can be a great deal of fear surrounding addiction. You might feel embarrassed about your family’s situation, or even fear judgment from those closest to you. Some people also feel a sense of loyalty to the person experiencing addiction and don’t want to share their story with others. However, isolating yourself and keeping such a significant secret means you can’t get the help you need. Reach out to people you trust to provide a safe and non-judgmental space to share. 

Expecting a Quick Fix

There can be a great deal of relief, hope, and happiness associated with a person struggling with addiction finally seeking help for themselves. You can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and believe your loved one’s addiction is finally coming to an end.

Agreeing to go to rehab or seek help in another way is a significant first step toward recovery, but it’s essential to know that recovery is typically a non-linear process. There will be setbacks along the way that you need to prepare for. Fortunately, most treatment centers prepare both the person struggling with addiction and their families for this. 

When you’re new to navigating addictions in your family, it’s only natural that you’ll make mistakes. The good news is that by seeking help, having compassion, and setting boundaries, you can embark on this journey with incredible strength and resilience.