POSSIBLY HELPFUL INTERVENTIONS
Some interventions meant to be helpful can be harmful:
Family or Couples Counseling
Family or couples counseling can be helpful when relationships damaged by addiction are worth saving. The addict may genuinely want to improve relationships and make changes. However, the addict may also agree to attend family or couples counseling to forestall having to face the consequences of his or her actions.
Family therapy can divide rather than strengthen families. Fathers push addicts showing them the front door and mothers block the path to the front door. Many a marriage or relationship has been broken because each member of the family sees it differently. Addiction is truly a “family affair,” negatively affecting everyone …show more content…
The codependent partner wants to “save” the addicted partner, often in an over-controlling and intrusive manner. In response, the addict rebels by continuing the addiction. As with enabling, it can be difficult to distinguish between normal and codependent behavior. Therapy can help you recognize codependent traits and behaviors (http://bit.ly/1jMDQ27 and http://bit.ly/1Ml26RH).
Codependence hinders the addict’s recovery.
Are You in a Codependent Relationship? explores codependent relationships in an article in Psychology Today: (http://bit.ly/25iLzv4).
Threats
It is common to make threats to push the addict to seek treatment. Examples are “I will leave you unless you stop using drugs, “You must leave the home if you don't work,” or “I will not help you pay bills if you continue to use drugs.”
Only make threats you are willing to carry out. Otherwise, the addict will continue the inappropriate behaviors without fear of consequences once he or she appreciates you will not carry out your threats.
WHAT IS NECESSARY
These two considerations may be the hardest for you to accept. However, they are necessary for the welfare of the addict and the …show more content…
Addiction changes the way addicts think and ultimately how they behave. Suicidal threats, self-harming behaviors, threats to harm others, and assaults are all more likely when the addict is abusing substances.
An accidental overdose is a self-harming behavior that signals the need for immediate intervention.
Take all threats seriously. Involuntary civil commitment into a hospital may then become necessary. Requirements and procedures for civil commitment vary from state to state.
The commitment process usually begins when a petitioner (family member, friend, or healthcare provider) files legal papers with the magistrate. If there is evidence of present or imminent (likely to occur soon) danger, the magistrate will order an officer (usually the county sheriff) to pick up and transport the person to a hospital or treatment facility for assessment.
Learn the procedures for civil commitment for your state before a crisis develops so you know exactly what to do in an emergency.
It's painful to commit a loved one, but it may be a wake-up call for the addict to make changes. Ultimately it may be lifesaving.
BOTTOM
Some interventions meant to be helpful can be harmful:
Family or Couples Counseling
Family or couples counseling can be helpful when relationships damaged by addiction are worth saving. The addict may genuinely want to improve relationships and make changes. However, the addict may also agree to attend family or couples counseling to forestall having to face the consequences of his or her actions.
Family therapy can divide rather than strengthen families. Fathers push addicts showing them the front door and mothers block the path to the front door. Many a marriage or relationship has been broken because each member of the family sees it differently. Addiction is truly a “family affair,” negatively affecting everyone …show more content…
The codependent partner wants to “save” the addicted partner, often in an over-controlling and intrusive manner. In response, the addict rebels by continuing the addiction. As with enabling, it can be difficult to distinguish between normal and codependent behavior. Therapy can help you recognize codependent traits and behaviors (http://bit.ly/1jMDQ27 and http://bit.ly/1Ml26RH).
Codependence hinders the addict’s recovery.
Are You in a Codependent Relationship? explores codependent relationships in an article in Psychology Today: (http://bit.ly/25iLzv4).
Threats
It is common to make threats to push the addict to seek treatment. Examples are “I will leave you unless you stop using drugs, “You must leave the home if you don't work,” or “I will not help you pay bills if you continue to use drugs.”
Only make threats you are willing to carry out. Otherwise, the addict will continue the inappropriate behaviors without fear of consequences once he or she appreciates you will not carry out your threats.
WHAT IS NECESSARY
These two considerations may be the hardest for you to accept. However, they are necessary for the welfare of the addict and the …show more content…
Addiction changes the way addicts think and ultimately how they behave. Suicidal threats, self-harming behaviors, threats to harm others, and assaults are all more likely when the addict is abusing substances.
An accidental overdose is a self-harming behavior that signals the need for immediate intervention.
Take all threats seriously. Involuntary civil commitment into a hospital may then become necessary. Requirements and procedures for civil commitment vary from state to state.
The commitment process usually begins when a petitioner (family member, friend, or healthcare provider) files legal papers with the magistrate. If there is evidence of present or imminent (likely to occur soon) danger, the magistrate will order an officer (usually the county sheriff) to pick up and transport the person to a hospital or treatment facility for assessment.
Learn the procedures for civil commitment for your state before a crisis develops so you know exactly what to do in an emergency.
It's painful to commit a loved one, but it may be a wake-up call for the addict to make changes. Ultimately it may be lifesaving.
BOTTOM