Seeing a loved one struggle with addiction can be a very difficult thing to observe. Family members and friends often want just to help the addict as much as they can, and take away their pain in a way. Many people can end up focusing on assisting the addict so much that they begin to neglect their own needs. So, is it possible that a person can become addicted to helping an addict?
When you love an addict, it can become a very consuming and involved situation. Their addiction is something which can continuously be on your mind. Emotions such as anger, fear, grief, and resentment about their addiction become regular. It can come to a point where you essentially become addicted to helping an addict with their addiction.
Can You Become Addicted to Helping an Addict?
It moves into a condition where you attempt to take on your loved one’s addiction and make it your own. A person can try and take responsibility for the addiction away from the addict and take it on themselves without realizing what they are doing. They feel they are to blame for the addiction and must do everything to solve it. It becomes an addiction to helping the person, and even to provide for them. And along with this, often comes guilt. You begin to look at how you could have prevented the addiction or some catastrophe involving it, or why you did nothing to prevent it in the first place. The remorse and guilt of this situation can be very consuming because it arises consistent thoughts of “what if’s” and “should have’s.” Meaning, rather than purely focusing on getting the addict into treatment, it becomes an introversion of how you are all to blame for it. This self-blame and remorse can be detrimental to yourself.
While helping your addicted family member is, of course, a commendable action, it can be a slippery slope for some. It is important to remember that you are there to help provide support and assist in getting them into treatment so they can overcome their addiction. Enabling, or trying to control every little thing about them or their life can begin to affect you heavily.
It is essential that you maintain your needs and life as well, and not be consumed by their addiction along with them. It can be hard to have a family member who is struggling with addiction, but taking it on yourself is a whole different scenario. You need to focus on getting them help the proper way, not by catering to or controlling them.
Getting the person into treatment should be the primary focus. Not how it could have been prevented, or how you are to blame. Focus on the now, and what you can do to help them. Addiction in the family can be difficult and arduous, but there is help out there for the person to overcome their addiction.
Finding a Treatment Center for Your or Your Loved One
If you or your loved one are seeking help with an addiction, let us help you today. We know it can be difficult to see what the next step is after deciding to get help. Finding the right treatment center can be confusing sometimes, being that there are so many of them around the country. Our advisors are here to assist you in finding the perfect one. They are familiar with the centers across the country and can help to find the best fit for you or your loved one. Give us a call today, and we will help find the perfect private inpatient treatment center for whoever is struggling. Don’t wait until you become addicted to helping an addict. There is help available before the situation gets worse.
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