A 2015 study published in the journal Frontiers of Criminal Justice explained that for those in addiction recovery, the support provided by friends and family are often what lead to greater motivation for healing and restoration. On the other side, however, family members often have difficulties supporting their loved one because they’re still trying to make sense of the situation themselves. Family members may be guilty, depressed, anxious or angry that they’re loved one went through this – in addition, some family members may even feel these emotions about having to go through this experience themselves. Perception makes a world of difference when it comes to whether or not we’re able to heal from challenging situations, and if you are a family member of a loved one with addiction, there may be false beliefs you’ve been holding onto that have kept you from moving forward. At The Arbor, we support families by reminding them of the “Three C’s”:
- You didn’t Cause the addiction
- You can’t Control the addiction/addicted person
- You can’t Cure the addiction
Whether we like to admit it or not, sometimes we hold onto these beliefs because they justify the pain we’re experiencing. We try so desperately to find a solution to the problem – to find a reason behind all the mindness – and so we believe that we caused our loved one’s addiction, that our loved one may recover if we say or do something, or that we can cure our loved one’s addiction by taking out certain stressful aspects of their lives. These beliefs aren’t true – because the reality is that addiction is incredibly painful, and it’s completely out of our control. Dr. Tina Dayton explained in her publication, Living with Addiction, that, “Little things become big and big things get minimized as pain is denied and slips out sideways.” If you’re ready to face some of the pain you and your family have been going through, speak with a professional from The Arbor today. Help is available.
Arbor Behavioral Healthcare offers an integrative and holistic approach to treat substance abuse and a wide variety of addictions, as well as underlying mental health and psychological issues. All of the addiction recovery programs offered by The Arbor are designed to heal the mind, body, and spirit leading to a lifetime of sobriety, health and wellness. If you’re ready to find healing and restoration in a peaceful, loving environment, please call us today at 844-560-7269.