Addiction is a delicate issue that affects not only the addicted person, but also their family members. Family members of people with addictions often face a series of emotional and psychological challenges that can lead them to make common mistakes in their attempt to help their loved ones. It is important to recognize these errors in order to correct them and provide more effective support to the person in the recovery process.
1. Denial of addiction
One of the most common mistakes that family members of addicted people make is denial of addiction. It's natural for family members to feel ashamed, guilty, or confused about a loved one's addiction, so they may minimize the seriousness of the problem or even deny it entirely. This attitude only perpetuates the cycle of addiction and makes it difficult to seek help.
How to correct it?
To overcome denial, it is essential to educate yourself about addiction and its consequences. Seeking quality information, talking to mental health professionals, and participating in support groups for family members of addicted people can help you understand the magnitude of the problem and take steps to address it.
2. Guilt and codependency
Another common mistake is to feel deep guilt for a loved one's addiction and adopt a codependent role. Codependency manifests itself in behaviors such as overprotection, excessive tolerance, the need to control the addict or the lack of limits in the relationship. These patterns only perpetuate the dysfunctional dynamic and make recovery difficult.
How to correct it?
It is important to recognize that addiction is not the responsibility of family members and that codependency only makes the situation worse. . Establishing healthy limits, promoting the autonomy of the loved one and seeking therapeutic help for both the addicted person and their family members are fundamental steps to breaking guilt and codependency.
3. Confrontation and confrontation
In an attempt to help the loved one recognize their addiction, family members may make the mistake of confrontation and constant confrontation. While it is important to talk honestly about addiction, the confrontational tone and constant criticism often generate resistance and drive the addicted person further away.
How to fix it?
Instead of To confront the addict aggressively, it is more effective to use an empathetic and compassionate approach. Actively listening, expressing concern from a place of love, and finding opportune moments to broach the topic of addiction can facilitate more open and receptive communication.
4. Negotiation and manipulation
Faced with desperation to help their loved one, some family members resort to negotiation and manipulation as strategies to control their behavior. Promising rewards, threatening negative consequences, or bribing the addict are tactics that only reinforce the dysfunctional dynamic and do not address the root problem.
How to correct it?
Instead of negotiating or manipulate, it is important to establish clear and consistent limits with healthy and sustainable consequences. Offering unconditional support, encouraging seeking professional treatment, and maintaining open communication based on respect are more effective actions to provide real help.
5. Isolation and secrecy
Out of shame or fear of judgment from others, some family members choose to keep their loved one's addiction a secret and isolate themselves socially. Isolation and secrecy only perpetuate the stigma and make it difficult to find external support, both for the addicted person and their family members.
How to correct it?
Combat isolation and secrecy. Secrecy involves opening up to the community, seeking support from mutual aid groups, family or trusted friends, and breaking the stigma associated with addiction. Sharing the situation honestly and seeking supportive support networks can generate an environment of understanding and empathy that facilitates the recovery process.
In conclusion, family members of addicted people can make a series of common mistakes in his attempt to help his loved ones. Recognizing these mistakes, educating yourself about addiction, and seeking professional help are essential steps in providing effective and healthy support to the person in recovery. By avoiding denial, blame, confrontation, negotiation and isolation, family members can contribute positively to the rehabilitation process and promote an environment of support and mutual understanding in the family.