We need to show love to addicts, that is when they can understand the effects of drugs. We have to listen to them and engage them in whatever we do, daily. If they feel neglected then they can resolve to drinking heavily. We have to talk to them politely and ensure that they live a stress free life.
I agree that an addicted family member is still a family member, but a family member that needs to be treated with caution. This also depends on their behaviors. Are they violent? Do they steal? Are they habitual liars? This all counts when dealing with a family member in the clutches of addiction.
Yes, even though a family member has an addiction issue, they're still a family member, though you may wish to practice detaching with love. You can love someone from a distance and give them space to recover in peace. You can love yourself by looking out for you and if you want to participate in their recovery, perhaps pick up some literature or attend a meeting yourself. There's Al-Anon, Codependents Anonymous, and many other resources available. If you've been harmed or you need healing due to the addict's behavior, this is a good time to find out how to get the help you need. This will probably be an ongoing journey, and it sounds like you want to look inside and find out what your new relationship with the addict will look like. Maybe you see them less, maybe more, maybe you only interact once week with a therapist, maybe only during meetings, maybe you need to avoid contact for now until you feel ready or more healthy. There's no "one size fits all" way and you have every right to take care of yourself first. Good luck to you and good blessings to all on the road to recovery. Happy New Year!
I do believe that as family it is our job to assist in the process of overcoming addiction. To me this could be that small part of the encouragement they may need to follow through with it. I personally know from experience that it takes alot of patience for one,and then letting he/she know that you will be there to support there in their hard times as well as the good times. It is also improtant to not give in when they began to beg and plead for you to give them a small amount of what every they are trying to overcome.
They are still family and I still love them. They just have a disease that they need to come to terms with. I will have my guard up because of past hurts but I would never turn my back on them. I will be their constant support and I will always believe in them even when they have given up believing in themselves.
As family we are always there for each other and we treat each other with love and respect. We try to help as much as we can when it comes to an addiction and we try to get our family member to overcome it. When you do something like an intervention and cut them off, you are doing this because you love them as a last resort to make them see the reality.
I agree with most of the comments posted above. It matters that they matter to you! No matter the particular drug or addiction they are pursuing, caring is what they need! -DeathXGun
No matter what had happened a family is always a family. That is why if ever I will have a family member or a relative who will be into addiction I will not judge them but instead I will be there for them no matter what to the best that I can to help them to recover. And if case I did not do my best but still I tried to help and support them in some ways that I can. I will always respect my family no matter what and I will always be there for them.
I completely agree with you. My mother repeats the cycle of addiction often. Most of my family will not speak to her, they degrade her, and they are disrespectful of her feelings. And then they wonder why she doesn't get any better! It is not enabling someone to still love them and treat them with kindness and respect! I want to be there for her, I know that she will succeed and fail many times, but I will still stand by my mom.
It's always hard when a family member or someone we love has an addiction. It's easier said than done but we have to be there for them, support them whichever way we can, and the most important thing of all, love them wholeheartedly even if they have a lot of flaws.