[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Enabling Addiction means doing things that unintentionally make it possible or easy for someone to continue using drugs or alcohol. It can be hard to tell if you’re enabling because often these behaviors come from a place of love and care. But enabling actually hurts rather than helps the addict in the long run, by preventing them from experiencing the negative consequences of their addiction and making it more difficult for them to recover.
Substance Abuse and Addiction
Substance abuse can be defined as using a substance in a way that is harmful to oneself or others. Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite negative consequences. People with addiction often continue using drugs or alcohol despite problems with their relationships, jobs, health, and finances.
Enabling Behaviors
There are many different ways that people can enable drug or alcohol use. Some common enabling behaviors include:
- Paying for drugs or alcohol
- Making excuses for the addict’s behavior
- Ignoring warning signs of addiction
- Refusing to believe that there is a problem
- Hiding evidence of drug or alcohol use
- Allowing risky behavior
- Protecting the addict from the negative consequences of their addiction
What Are the Effects of Enabling?
Enabling has a number of harmful effects, both on the addict and on the people around them. People who enable an addict often do so out of love and care, but enabling actually makes it more difficult for the addict to recover. It can also lead to codependency, which is when someone becomes excessively preoccupied with another person’s problems to the point that their own life is adversely affected.
Enabling also protects the addict from experiencing the negative consequences of their addiction, which can actually make it more difficult for them to recover. When addicts are protected from these consequences, they often don’t have the motivation to change their behavior. This can lead to further financial, legal, and relationship problems down the road.
If you’re enabling an addict, it’s important to realize that you’re not doing them any favors. In fact, you’re probably making it harder for them to recover. But changing your behavior is not easy, and it will require a lot of patience, effort, and support. Here are some tips to help you stop enabling an addict:
1. Understand why you’re doing it.
Often, people enable it because they want to protect the addict from the negative consequences of their addiction. They may also feel guilty, scared, or helpless. It’s important to understand your motivations for enabling so that you can start to change your behavior.
2. Set boundaries.
It’s important to set boundaries with the addict in order to stop enabling their addiction. This may mean setting limits on how much money you give them, not accommodating their drug use, or refusing to enable their addictive behavior.
3. Seek professional help.
If you’re struggling to change your enabling behavior, it may be helpful to seek professional help. A therapist can help you understand your motivations for enabling and provide support as you learn how to set boundaries.
4. Get support from others.
Changing your behavior is not easy, so it’s important to get support from others who are going through the same thing. There are many online and in-person support groups for family and friends of addicts.
5. Be patient.
Changing your behavior is a process that takes time. Be patient with yourself and the addict as you both learn how to cope with addiction in a healthy way.
How can Family members Help in Addiction Recovery?
Though it may seem counterintuitive, family involvement is crucial during addiction recovery. A strong support system at home can make all the difference in whether someone struggling with addiction relapses or maintains long-term sobriety.
There are many ways that family members can help during addiction recovery, including:
- Providing emotional support.
- Listening without judgment.
- Avoid enabling behavior.
- Attending family therapy sessions.
- Learning about addiction and recovery.
- Participating in a 12-step program like Al-Anon or Nar-Anon.
- Take care of yourself emotionally and physically.
- Seek professional help if needed.
Family involvement is key to addiction recovery. By providing emotional support, listening without judgment, and avoiding enabling behavior, you can help your loved one on the road to recovery.
How can friends help in Addiction Recovery?
Friends can play a vital role in addiction recovery. They can provide support and understanding, and they can help the person struggling with addiction to stay on track with their recovery goals. Mainly, friends can offer a non-judgmental listening ear, which can be invaluable during recovery.
How can a partner help in quitting their loved one’s addiction?
If you’re in a relationship with someone who is struggling with addiction, you may feel like you’re walking on eggshells. You may be constantly worried about your partner’s next relapse, and you may feel like you’re walking on eggshells.
It’s important to remember that you can’t control your partner’s addiction. However, there are things you can do to support them in their recovery.
How Does a Family Member Enable Addiction?
Family members enable an addict’s addiction by trying to protect them from the negative consequences of their addiction and they don’t even know about it. They may do this by giving the addicted person money, shelter, or even enabling their drug use.
Enabling behavior can unintentionally keep an addict stuck in their addiction by taking away the natural consequences that would normally occur as a result of their addictive behavior.
For example, if an addict is addicted to heroin and their family members keep giving them money to buy drugs, then the addict will never have to experience the negative consequences of not being able to afford their addiction.
This can ultimately prevent an addict from hitting their “bottom” and seeking treatment for their addiction.
Emmaus Medical & Counseling provides individualized treatment for addiction and mental health disorders. We believe in a whole-person approach to healing, which means addressing the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs of our clients and offering professional medical advice. We have treatment facilities in Johnson City, Weber City, and Bulls Gap. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our programs and how we can help you or your loved one on the road to recovery using our addiction treatment programs.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]