Those who are enabling an addicted relative think they are helping them and are not aware of the negative implication. Therefore, learning about enabling and how to support a loved one positively and helpfully is essential. In addition, dysfunctional family relationship habits exist from never learning about healthy and positive relationships. Consequently, when a substance use disorder occurs within the family, it is time to reevaluate contributing behaviors.
Enabling an addicted relative may begin as well-intended support for a struggling loved one. But, first, educating the family support team with positive and healthy behaviors to encourage is essential. Secondly, avoiding blaming each other for contributing to the addiction is paramount for positive progress. Finally, now is the time to bond, being a positive and healthy force for a loved one to build healthy relationships with.
The critical starting point to making behavior change is understanding what enabling an addicted relative can do. First, enabling behaviors support and encourage destructive behaviors in those with a substance use disorder. In addition, while family and friends believe they are helping a loved one with a substance use disorder, they are prolonging the period of addiction. Finally, enabling behaviors can fuel the ability to obtain the illicit substance.
Examples of how someone’s behavior allows a loved one with a substance use disorder to continue the self-destructive pattern of conduct include the following:
Therapists look at enabling behaviors as helping a loved one with a substance use disorder by doing things for them they could do themselves if they were sober. Therefore, reasons for enabling an addicted loved one are honestly good intentions. But unfortunately, as a result, the addiction thrives. Consequently, the loved one with the substance use disorder learns how to fuel the enabling behaviors.
There are 4 types of enabling behaviors. They reflect why the support system remains unaware of the enabling behavior and continues contributing to the addiction.
Once the family and friends enabling an addicted loved one become aware of the cycle produced through their behaviors, it must end. First, a treatment center can offer educational programs to teach the support system of the addicted loved one how to provide positive and healthy support.
Secondly, part of the education can include learning about codependency and a dysfunctional family dynamic. Lastly, understanding the importance of setting boundaries will send a new message to the loved one with a substance use disorder. Addiction education prepares the family and friends in a support system about the guises used by those caught up in an addiction.
In addition, learning that enabling an addicted loved one only fueled and prolonged the addiction proves the need for change. Furthermore, enlisting help from a professional can lead to intervention and the establishment of healthy boundaries. Above all, practicing tough love will help end the ease of staying addicted, and the loved one may realize it is time to get help.
Intervention is a practice of presenting the effect of the addiction on the entire support system. Therefore, a therapist or an experienced interventionist can help improve the family dynamic by teaching how to build a foundation to set boundaries.
Then, when the support team agrees to stop enabling an addicted loved one and form a plan, change begins. As a result, their loved one can become responsible for their actions and accept treatment, or the support team will no longer let the addiction affect them.
Examples of healthy and productive boundaries to set are any of the following:
When the support team for an addicted loved one becomes educated and learns how enabling behaviors have a negative impact, they need help to move forward. Freeman Recovery Center in Tennessee offers professional therapists and interventionists to assist in setting healthy boundaries.
Contact us if an intervention may be vital for your loved one to accept treatment. As a result, you can learn how to form a strong support bond and stay true to the boundaries you set.
Main Office: 250 State Street, Dickson, TN 37055
Fax: (800) 810-3915
Phone: (615) 645-1141
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