Learning to cope with addiction in the family can be a difficult thing. Taking one’s own journey to healing requires support and courage. Learn more about how to move through fear to take the step towards recovery.
Moving Past Fear
A powerful motivator, fear can motivate people often in the wrong direction, away from things which allow individuals to grow. This may keep people from experiencing opportunities for growth. People who grow up in homes with addictive behaviors can train individuals to understand what is fearful can become true which builds a mindset away from success towards failure in the future.
Battling Demons
Being raised around addiction and alcoholism can teach a person that the lifestyle surrounding them is the only way to live. The problem is that as people grow, the true reality of things as a youth may not be true anymore and living life based on fears from the past means letting go of things that protected individuals from really moving forward and reaching full potential.
The following five steps can be helpful in getting started on the path to recovery with the help of family.
Face the Demons
Find out what truly brings out the fear. It may not be the obvious reasons or things holding a person back. If a person resists doing something new or is unwilling to take on a challenge, figure out how to say ‘no’ to the voices that make no sense and turn towards what is healthy and positive.
Explain away fear
Fear can keep people stuck. Overcome discomfort from fear by looking at the person that is struggling with addiction and reasoning why it is best to tackle this head on rather than give into fear.
Have an Argument
Apply logic to the circumstances and ask if it still makes sense to hold to the fear. If a person was told over and over to not do something, is it still true today? Look for evidence to support whether to keep or let go of fear.
Reject and Replace
After looking at fear head on, look to take the situation with the loved one and reject old ways of thinking to replace them with new ones. It is likely an old habit and when applied to life can replace old fears with what is true today. Working from this place is the best way to provide family support for a loved one with addiction.
Work with It
The fear may be applicable but allowing oneself to embrace and receive that is important for recovery. Accept what is rather than seek what is not true. Acknowledge it may take time to get help and guidance and move forward from knowing what’s best is to help the loved one move forward.
Recovery is about coming face to face with fears. Sustain works with families to support adolescents in getting the care they need. Call us to find out how we can help support your family to make the transition from addiction to recovery and health.
