Family Guilty in Substance Abuse

You have a loved one who is suffering from substance abuse. It may be a child, a spouse or another family member. You know what they are going through because you see it. You know they cannot stop and you just want to stop for them. What can you do? How can you help?

Guilty Happens Often

For many families in these situations, guilty is one of the worst parts of the process. It is what causes problems within the family, too. Being guilty, though, is not the answer. Being supportive and offering solutions is. If you feel guilty, consider the following.

  • In many scenarios, families of those who suffer from substance abuse need to seek help from a therapist. The therapist will help the family, as a whole, to heal.
  • Family guilty requires acceptance. A family member must accept what he or she has done to contribute to the problem, such as giving money to the person suffering from drugs. However, this means making a change, too. You do not want to be the enabler.
  • Finding solutions is necessary. Within families where substance abuse is a daily problem, it is often necessary. This may mean moving, committing to change or therapy.

For those suffering from substance abuse, the real fact is, it can happen to anyone. If your family is supportive and has the means to do so, getting help is the route to take. This provides an opportunity for all in the family to get past the guilt and to get closer to the happiness.

 

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What Does a Substance Abuse Counselor Do?

Substance abuse counselors work with people who are seeking treatment for various types of addictions. Substance abuse counselors may assist families with interventions, work with those just starting treatment or work with those actively in treatment or recovery. Substance counselors may work with those that are addicted to alcohol, heroin, prescription drugs, cocaine or inhalants.

Counselors may work in outpatient treatment centers, inpatient treatment centers, churches, community outreach centers, hospitals or doctor’s offices. Most substance abuse counselors have at least a two year degree in alcohol and drug counseling, and adhere to a certain philosophy of treatment. These philosophies range from 12-step programs to cognitive-behavioral therapy.

Substance abuse counselors may provide individual therapy or group therapy to addicts. Counselors attempt to get to the root of the problem and assist the addicts in discovering why they started using drugs. Also, counselors may assist the addicts in learning to cope with cravings, desires and the challenges of staying clean and sober. Counselors should have some degree of empathy, some street smart awareness, knowledge of drugs and effects of the drugs on a human body.

Training to become a substance abuse counselor may involve taking classes in medical terminology, physiological effects of alcohol, behavioral strategies, impulse control, trauma therapy and counseling techniques. Other important aspects of substance abuse counseling training involve learning CPR and first aid. This can aid the counselor in dealing with medical emergencies related to overdose or withdrawal symptoms.

Substance abuse counselors may also choose a specialty population. Counselors may work with veterans, adolescents, homeless, mentally ill or the elderly. Along with knowledge of substance abuse they will have to specific knowledge about the population and how to properly assist them in changing themselves. Substance counseling can be difficult, but rewarding work. Empowering others to change their lives is a powerful feeling and many people stay in the profession for years and years.

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How to Deal With Substance Abuse in a Loved One

Human Settlements- Campaign against Drug Abuse
Image by United Nations Photo via Flickr

Do you suspect that one of your loved ones is dealing with a drug abuse problem? Unfortunately, people dealing with substance addiction problems are often so deep in their denial that it takes a loved one to help them see the light. There are a number of things that you can do when you suspect that one of your friends or family members is dealing with a drug problem. Consider your options carefully, and know that while the road ahead may be rough, being able to help your loved one is vitally important if they cannot get the help themselves.

1. First and foremost, you should speak up. Sit down and have a talk with the person so that they can become aware of your concerns. Offer all of the help and support that you have to give. The earlier that the addiction is treated, the better! You do not have to wait for rock bottom to help them back up.

2. Avoid allowing yourself to get caught up in this person’s drug problem if it means neglecting your own self. You need to take care of yourself, even when you are trying to help take care of this loved one. Make sure that you are leaning on people for support as well, and keep yourself safe at all times.

3. Avoid covering for your loved one. Do not attempt to hide the problem or start making excuses for them. It may be natural for you to want to help this person, but you cannot protect them from the consequences that come with their choices. You have to do what is right to get them the help that they need.

4. Avoid blaming yourself. You can support your loved one, and you can help them get treatment, but you cannot force them to change. You cannot control their decisions. You have to allow them to accept their own responsibility for their own actions. This is actually a vital step in the drug addiction recovery process.

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