8 Steps to Help a Loved One Start Luxury Rehab

get a loved one into rehab
alcohol detox timeline luxury rehab,addiction,substance,alcohol,drugsWhen someone you care about deeply has turned to drugs or alcohol, the world can become an incredibly uncertain and challenging space. Not only do you have your own life to worry about — and you must always put yourself first — but now you’ve got constant fear over their well-being hanging over your head. If you’ve been painstakingly searching for the best way to help your loved one, rest assured recovery is 100% possible. Discover how to get someone into luxury rehab and find out the most effective ways to approach an individual who’s struggling with addiction.

How Do You Know When Substance Abuse Becomes Addiction?

While no one should be taking illegal drugs under any circumstances, it does happen. In some cases, people experiment or go through a phase of using recreational drugs and nothing more occurs. However, people with the potential to develop an addiction become preoccupied with using the substance and getting inebriated, despite an array of negative consequences. Alcohol is legal, and the majority of people have no difficulty moderating their intake. But someone with an alcohol use disorder drinks habitually, even if bad things keep happening to them as a result of drinking. Addiction is a disease that hijacks the parts of their brain that are responsible for motivation, pleasure and reward, making it increasingly difficult to maintain responsibilities. According to the diagnostic criteria, they only need to meet two or three criteria to be diagnosed with a mild substance use disorder. Four or five is equivalent to a moderate substance use disorder, and six or more suggests they’re suffering from a severe substance use disorder. Addiction is a progressive and chronic disease, so wherever your loved one lands on the spectrum, they need professional help.

The DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Substance Use Disorders

The 11 criteria that denote whether someone is medically considered to have a substance use disorder are:
  1. Withdrawal symptoms or negative physical and mental effects that arise when they haven’t had any/enough alcohol or drugs
  2. Building a tolerance to the substance or needing increasing amounts to feel the same effects
  3. Taking drugs or using alcohol even when they know it’s causing physical or psychological problems
  4. Using substances and putting themselves in dangerous situations as a result
  5. No longer taking part in social, recreational or vocational activities they used to enjoy in favor of getting drunk or high
  6. Not being able to fulfill duties at home, work or school
  7. Continuously craving the substance
  8. Repeated failed attempts to cut down how much they use or stop altogether.
  9. Interpersonal issues as a result of substance use
  10. Repeatedly taking or drinking more than intended
  11. Spending a disproportionate amount of time thinking about, seeking and using the substance

Why Choose Residential Rehab?

Generally speaking, there are two types of rehab: inpatient and outpatient. We prefer to call ourselves a residential treatment center instead of an inpatient facility because we provide a luxurious home-away-from-home environment. Outpatient treatment might be suitable for someone who only meets a couple of the DSM-5 criteria. However, in most cases, a new environment is the best place to begin the journey to recovery.

Benefits of Residential Rehab

  • Residents have around-the-clock access to medical care — particularly important during the acute withdrawal stage.
  • They’re plucked from their daily life and put into a highly structured environment that teaches them how to develop new, healthy habits.
  • When they’re in a rehabilitation center with the beautiful rocky Agua Dulce, California, scenery, they don’t have access to temptation.
  • Residents have the opportunity to form close bonds with each other and their caregivers, which facilitates the open communication necessary for healing to begin.

Is Involuntary Commitment to Rehab Possible?

Yes, involuntary commitment is an option. However, it requires a court order, and it’s a lengthy and often expensive process. You’d need to be able to demonstrate extensive proof that they are putting themselves and other people at risk to get legal action underway. We’d only recommend forcing them to go to rehab through the courts as a last resort.

Never Make These Mistakes (Some Might Surprise You)

Don’t Use Bribery

It’s so tempting to offer people you care about a reward to stop using drugs or alcohol, but ultimately, it’s damaging for you both. You’re at a real risk of being lied to, and they’re at risk of withdrawing further into the addiction for fear you’ll take away their rewards if they tell the truth. Remember also that ultimatums are only useful if you stand by your word every time. Otherwise, you’re showing them you can be fooled.

Never Let Them Fool You

Addiction makes people dishonest because it tricks their brain into obsessing over their substance of choice as their number one priority. You shouldn’t take it personally or let it damage your mental health because it’s the disease’s fault — not your loved one. Make sure they know you’re too knowledgeable about the situation for them to be able to pull the wool over your eyes.

There’s No Place for Blame, Name-Calling or Labels

Be incredibly careful what you call the people close to you, because labels tend to stick. While it’s your place to offer encouragement and support your loved one while they seek the help they need, it’s no one’s place to call someone else names or make them feel bad. Even if the alcohol or drugs has given them a sharp tongue, you’re still in a positive place to rise above this behavior.

Rise Above Arguments

Anytime they try to engage in confrontation, take a deep breath and count to 10. If you can’t stay calm, just walk away. People aren’t in the position to listen when they’re being defensive in the middle of an argument. Just let them know you’ll discuss the matter when you’ve both had a chance to calm down. Write letters to each other or find creative ways to express how you feel to each other; it’ll do a world of good.

exterior of valley recovery centerHow to Get Someone Into Luxury Rehab in 8 Steps

Getting someone to start a drug or alcohol treatment program isn’t necessarily going to be easy, and it might take several failed attempts. However, if you’re consistent, compassionate and knowledgeable, you’ll be able to use these steps as a blueprint for helping your loved one to get into recovery.

1. The Research Phase

This first stage is so crucial because it will shape your actions after that. Gain as much knowledge as you can about addiction, particularly with regards to the substance your family member is addicted to. The more of an authority you are, the harder it will be for them to lie to you and the more they’ll trust your opinions. When researching, remember to be discerning about who you seek facts from and who you seek opinions from. Seek solace in friendships and let off steam to your closest circle, but don’t take their advice or opinions as facts. We’d recommend speaking to someone who works in the medical field for information about your loved one’s situation. To speak to an addiction specialist, call Valley Recovery Center today at 866-986-2486.

2. The Discussion Phase

Once you’ve gathered all the information you need for yourself, it’s time to start approaching the idea of rehabilitation with your family member. Instead of telling them to book their place immediately, ask them what they think of the concept of rehab. Find out what their understanding of a treatment program is and share what you know with them. Correct their misconceptions and gently suggest that it seems like an incredibly helpful first step for individuals struggling with drugs or alcohol. Share pictures or brochures of the type of facility you think they’d be suited to. Not only are you giving them a nudge in the right direction, but you’re also showing them how much you care and that you’re seeking solutions to help them.

3. First Attempt to Get Them Into Rehab

If they’re receptive to your initial efforts, that’s fantastic news — get them booked in! At Valley Recovery Center, we’re a men’s luxury rehab with an intake of just six, so each resident has space to get the attention they need. All of our suites are decorated to an exceptionally high standard, and we have a pool, Jacuzzi, gym and games room. Contact us to find out more. Sadly, it’s not usually this easy. The first attempt might be met with what seems like disproportionate resistance. Bear in mind that you’re challenging their way of life and threatening to take away something that has become their focal point. Change is difficult for everyone. The more you meet their initial resistance with compassion, the easier it will be to overcome.

4. Find Out Why

To avoid getting angry or frustrated, or engaging in an argument, agree to sleep on it before having a discussion. Respect their decision and understand that they’re not ready to accept help yet, but feel proud that you’ve made the first step. When you talk, find out their reasons. Don’t offer any advice at this stage; just listen to what they have to say.

5. Try Another Approach

At this point, it would be a good idea to seek advice from a specialist again. Explain what happened and tell them about the reasons behind your loved one’s resistance to going to rehab. They can explain what’s behind their fears and provide advice about how to appease them. They might suggest you ask someone else close to them to encourage them to go to rehab or, in severe cases, take them to a doctor. If they don’t take the advice from a medical professional, you’ll need to pull together every resource available to you to get them to rehab.

6. Arrange a Family Meeting

People are the most valuable resource when it comes to addiction, and a support network is often the difference between successful and failed recovery attempts. Arrange a meeting with every person who’s trusted by them and close to them. Share that you think approaching the situation as a unit will be the best method. Ask each person to write a letter explaining how much they love the afflicted family member and the reasons they need them to go to alcohol or drug rehab.

7. Stage an Intervention

In the family meeting, describe what an intervention is and how it works. Organize another meeting with your loved one present, but ensure it’s not before they’re going to work or have something important to attend to. It’s likely to be a highly emotional meeting, and they might need time to recuperate afterward. When you’re all together, each person will read their letter aloud and lovingly and compassionately implore them to go to rehab. If they’ve been entirely resistant up until this stage, it’s a good idea to book the facility and organize transport in case they agree right then.

8. Find a Rehab That Offers Family Therapy and Aftercare

Addiction is a family illness, so make sure you and the rest of the family have access to the support you need as well. Choose a rehab facility that offers family therapy and has extensive options for continued care. It’s essential you all rebuild healthy channels of communication and constructively vent negative feelings. With love, support and medical care, anyone can overcome addiction and get better for good.

Can You Admit Someone to Rehab Who Doesn’t Want to Go?

It’s not as vital that the change comes from within as you might think. Sometimes, it takes a nudge in the right direction from the people who love us the most to help us follow the right path. For more advice, call Valley Recovery Center today at 866-986-2486.

How Drug Addiction Affects a Relationship

Husband and Wife in an Argument Over Alcoholism
Husband and Wife in an Argument Over AlcoholismThe stigma surrounding drug addiction can arouse feelings of shame and disgust in the ones you love the most, which would be disheartening for anyone — not the least someone in the vulnerable position of being addicted to drugs. Substance use disorders often compromise a person’s ability to communicate, eroding their relationships and putting them further at risk. It can also be a financial burden, a bad influence and a powerful cause of resentment, so seeking treatment is imperative. Help from a qualified counselor for the afflicted individual and the people closest to them is the best way to work through any unresolved conflict or resentment. Underlying feelings you’re not fully conscious of might be driving you and your families’ actions, and drug rehab can be the ideal starting point for getting the professional guidance you need.

How Drug Addiction Affects a Relationship When Untreated

Drug addiction is rarely something that impacts only the person with the problem. For this reason, it’s gained a reputation for being a family disease. How badly it affects your relationship usually depends on how close you are and how well you communicate. Sadly, as with most matters of the emotions, people tend to lash out the most at the people they care about most deeply. If the household you live in has a lack of healthy boundaries and you all struggle to communicate openly and honestly, it’s even more imperative you seek medical attention. Lots of individuals who abuse drugs live in an environment where people regularly argue, make excuses or punish each other for acting in specific ways instead of having discussions. If this sounds familiar, there’s no need to panic! You and your loved ones can learn to release how you feel constructively.

Ways Addiction Can Impact Your Various Relationships

Substance use disorders can put a financial strain on a relationship, especially parents and spouses. However, addiction often drives the sufferer to borrow money from any source they can find, including friends, siblings and acquaintances. Money and health are usually the main catalysts that drive conflict as family members struggle to comprehend how you can have such a blatant disregard for the most important aspects of your life. Addiction affects each relationship in your life uniquely, and it’s too easy to lose sight of the multitude of ways your behavior directly impacts the people you love. From your children to your friends, it’s not just your well-being you’re putting at risk. Here are some of the ways drug addiction affects a relationship, and some tips to help loved ones of an addict cope.

Partners

Husbands, wives, boyfriends, girlfriends and partners usually get the toughest deal when it comes to addiction. They’ll either try to shoulder the financial, emotional and parental burden or get frustrated and upset constantly pushing the addicted person to behave as they should.

Tips for Partners

  • Try to avoid arguments with your other half. If they become belligerent, count to 10, take a deep breath and walk away.
  • Encourage them to seek professional help. Don’t try to counsel them yourself under any circumstances, but lend an ear to listen if they talk about how they feel.
  • Don’t throw judgments around or tell them what to do; it’ll make it harder to get them to listen to you.
how drug addiction affects a relationship luxury rehab,addiction,substance,alcohol,drugs

Children

If someone struggling with drug addiction has children, they’re often the ones who suffer the most. Not only does it set a bad example, but it means you’re prioritizing drug taking over their well-being. Children naturally blame themselves for everything, so you must seek therapy for kids who are exposed to drug addiction.

Tips for Children

  • Never feel shy to seek information or tell people how you feel. The better you understand addiction as a disease, the easier you’ll find it to make sense of your parent’s behavior.
  • Don’t blame yourself when bad things happen. Some things are beyond our control, but there is a solution for pretty much every problem.

Parents

Substance use disorders pose a particular challenge for the parents of adult children. On the one hand, you can’t turn them into babies again and force your will on them; on the other hand, giving them too much of your time and attention might enable the addictive behavior. The best action to take is to encourage them to attend a treatment program at drug rehab.

Tips for Parents

  • Don’t catastrophize! It might feel like the end of the world, but it isn’t. If you continually fear the worst, it only raises anxiety and provides fuel for the addiction.
  • Remember that no one is at fault when it comes to addiction; it’s the result of a wide variety of factors, and blame serves no purpose.

Siblings

Younger siblings are often affected by addiction in a similar way to offspring, making them particularly vulnerable. Adults must keep teenagers and children in the loop, not hide the truth and give them in-depth explanations — or they risk glamorizing the illness.

Tips for Siblings

  • Just because someone you’re related to is addicted to drugs, it doesn’t mean they’re a bad person. It’s a condition that’s arisen for reasons beyond their control, and they’ll need plenty of help and support to take hold of the wheel again.

Friends

If you’re lucky enough to have a support network that includes lots of friends and acquaintances, consider yourself privileged. These people will give you the encouragement you need to get better. However, if you don’t maintain your friendships, you’ll risk losing them.

Tips for Friends

  • Give a friend who’s suffering from a drug addiction plenty of space, but let them know you’re there for them. Never give them money or access to drugs, but make it clear you’re willing to talk to them about anything they desire.
  • If you’re worried about a friend, speak to a trusted member of their family and try to devise a plan to get the sufferer into rehab.

Get Help for Drug Addiction Today

If your family has been touched by addiction and needs help, call Valley Recovery Center today at 866-986-2486.

5 Stages of Change in Addiction

making decisions during addiction

struggling with addictionThe stages of change model, also known as the transtheoretical model, was developed by James O. Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente in the 1970s. Addiction is a highly complex disease. Some people find it easier not to fall into addiction, while others are more susceptible. In some cases, a person may be able to overcome addiction to substances but find themselves addicted to food. The model provides a blueprint to explain the basic pattern of negative behaviors. This can be incredibly helpful in helping to guide you through the recovery process.

There are five stages that Prochaska and DiClemente propose someone suffering from a substance use disorder needs to go through on the path to getting better. It’s not necessarily a linear process — some people go back and forth between stages or skip one and go back to it later. This approach is person-centered, encouraging counselors and therapists to use empathy and motivational interviewing

Pre-Contemplation

Sometimes referred to as the denial stage, pre-contemplation is the point at which you have no interest in seeking help and don’t perceive your behavior as problematic. You might be defensive of your habit and become irritated or argumentative when loved ones suggest you slow down or stop. During this stage, you’re likely to avoid information that might back up the notion you have a problem or not think it applies to you.

People in the pre-contemplation stage don’t generally like speaking about their habit with others. If you’re seeking information for yourself, you’ve probably moved on from this stage — but it’s highly likely you remember what it felt like.

Contemplation

When you contemplate something, you think about it in-depth, exploring a thought from every angle and analyzing the pros and cons. When a person struggling with addictive behavior enters this stage, it means they’ve accepted there might be an issue. You begin to address that you need to do something, whether it’s cutting down or stopping entirely. At this point, you might seek information and be ready to hear advice from others.

There’s no commitment to making changes just yet, but you’ve likely accepted that something in your life needs to change. People often switch between pre-contemplation and contemplation before getting to the next stage.

Preparation

By this point, you’re ready to act but intimidated by the idea of how much of your day-to-day life needs to change. You’ve probably started saying you want to get sober aloud and are seriously looking into which options are available to you. To help you move from this planning stage to the point where you’re ready to make the necessary changes, there are several steps you can take.

Plan the Change

It’s much easier to work toward the goals you’ve planned. While plans often change, they’re the basis of taking action. Decide if you’re going to try to taper off the substance yourself or seek treatment in a rehab center. If you’re going to attend a drug or alcohol treatment program, will you attend inpatient or outpatient? Is luxury treatment available? There are a lot of provisions to make, so plan carefully with a loved one or medical professional.

Seek Resources

Gain as much information about your condition as possible. When it comes to addiction, knowledge is power. Find out about how addiction to alcohol or drugs affects your brain and learn about the recovery process. When you’re prepared and understand the process you’re about to go through, anxiety will be minimized and you’ll be more confident. Learning what substances do to your mind and body can also be a substantial motivating factor in making the definitive decision to quit.

Minimize Triggers

Triggers are situations, items, people and places that remind you of using substances. Throw away drug paraphernalia and bottles of alcohol, delete dealer’s numbers, avoid stressful emotional situations, films or songs you associate with substance use and friends whose primary function in your life is as people to get high or drunk with.

Get Support

You can never overestimate the role of a support network while you’re going through the healing process. Tell the people closest to you that you’re booking yourself into a treatment center, and find a support group in the meantime. It could be a good idea to let the people you spend time with when drinking or doing drugs that you’re seeking help. Ask them to respect your decision and not take part in using when you’re around.

Action

Willpower and mindset are so crucial once it gets to the action stage, as you start to believe in your ability to make the change. You’ll be employing any necessary techniques to try to stop using drugs and alcohol and be passionate about recovery. It’s generally considered to be the shortest stage of change, usually lasting around six months.

At this point, relapse is highly likely, and you and your support network should treat slip-ups appropriately. As long as you continue to work towards your goal and don’t stop working toward a substance-free future, you’ll continue toward the next stage. Sometimes you’ll go back and forth between preparation and action, and again — it’s perfectly normal. Never be too hard in yourself, and try to stay focused on your goal.

Maintenance

This is the final stage of the original theory. Addiction is a chronic disease; even someone who has completed a rehab program and remained sober for years is still actively maintaining their recovery. Cravings and triggers are highly unlikely to go away, but as time goes by, you’ll find it easier to manage them. During times of stress or sadness, you may feel the temptation to relapse — at these times, we’d always recommend seeking professional guidance. Most people who succeed in overcoming addiction attend support groups or some form of therapy on a long-term basis.

making decisions during addictionCharacteristics of Each Stage

If you or someone you care about is suffering from a substance use disorder, it might help to identify which stage they’re currently at. Identifying the correct stage can aid in more constructive communication and be incredibly motivating. Any recognition of a habit as a problem that needs to be changed is positive and should be met with enthusiasm and encouragement.

Pre-Contemplation

  • Denial of behavior as problematic
  • Unwilling to learn about addiction
  • No desire to make any changes
  • Argumentative if confronted

Contemplation

  • No plans to change in the immediate future
  • Aware that change could be a positive force
  • More receptive to hearing what people have to say about substance use disorders
  • Possibly seeking information about recovery but not speaking to anyone about it

Preparation

  • Starting to experiment with making changes
  • Actively seeking information about rehab and recovery and talking to people about it
  • Planning to act within the next month

Action

  • Practicing new behavior
  • Making active efforts to overcome substance use issues
  • Participating in an alcohol or drug treatment program

Maintenance

  • Sustained sobriety for more than six months
  • Diminished cravings
  • Commitment to attending aftercare

Techniques for Moving Through Each Stage

There can be frustrations and setbacks at any stage, but there are healthier and more constructive ways of communicating with someone as they go through the steps. These techniques also apply to self-talk.

Pre-Contemplation

  • Make it clear that it’s okay not to be ready to change
  • The decision to live your life differently is yours alone
  • Encourage introspection instead of action

Contemplation

  • Encourage evaluation of the pros and cons of overcoming addiction
  • Focus on the potential for positive change in your life
  • Think about a range of positive outcomes

Preparation

  • Identify potential obstacles and think of ways to overcome them
  • Find social support
  • Encourage baby steps

Action

  • Build self-esteem and personal accountability
  • Shift focus from feelings of loss to long-term benefits of sobriety
  • Be complimentary and celebrate each victory, however small

Maintenance

  • Make plans for aftercare
  • Continue to reinforce the internal rewards of sobriety
  • Encourage open communication about feelings and relapse prevention

Processes of Change

Psychologists have theorized that 10 ways of thinking can help you navigate through the stages of change. The first five are experiential and apply to the earlier stages, and the last five are behavioral and apply to the later ones.

  1. Gain as much information about your condition as possible.
  2. Address addiction from an emotional perspective.
  3. Develop an understanding of how your habit affects your social environment.
  4. Explore how your environment lends itself to being abstinent.
  5. Look honestly into whether you want to be the type of person your addiction makes you.
  6. Make changes to your home and routine that remove triggers and temptation.
  7. Speak openly to people you trust about the changes you’re making.
  8. Find replacement activities for substance use.
  9. Figure out ways to reward yourself for abstinence.
  10. Take full responsibility for yourself and commit to the changes you’ve made.

Men’s Rehab in California

Addiction is one of the most complex and challenging experiences a person can go through. There is no right or wrong way to recover, and each person is different. The stages of change provide a simplified structure to help someone who’s in recovery identify where they’re at and where they need to go. If you’ve got any questions about the transtheoretical model, or you’re ready to begin your healing process, call Valley Recovery Center today at 866-986-2486.

Do Relationships Improve After Rehab?

holding hands luxury rehab,addiction,substance,alcohol,drugs

If you’re the loved one of someone who’s going through rehab or you’re thinking about entering a treatment program yourself, a big question you have on your mind likely is: Do relationships get better after rehab? For many families and friends, drug or alcohol addiction can be catastrophic. The more you love someone, the more difficult it is to watch them get increasingly fixated on a harmful substance and gradually self-destruct while their physical and mental health suffers. As the people the sufferer loves become frustrated, they feel more guilty and ashamed, which exacerbates the whole problem, and the cycle continues.

Residential rehab can put an end to this cycle by gently teaching the person experiencing a substance use disorder about themselves and helping them to develop healthy coping mechanisms. They’re removed from the home for a while, giving them a chance to start anew. A counselor usually invites close family members to take part in therapy sessions, so everyone involved has the opportunity to express their feelings and learn to communicate together effectively.

Do Relationships Get Better After Rehab?

When someone first leaves alcohol or drug rehab, they’re going to be in a fragile headspace for at least a few months. An enormous change has taken place, and the initial period after they’ve completed treatment is crucial. One of the best things about inpatient rehab is that they get into a consistent daily routine. Family members and loved ones should do everything they can to support them as they maintain structure in their lives, attend work or school and continue attending support groups throughout their addiction recovery process.

While recovering addicts may be enthusiastic about starting new ventures before this point, try to encourage them to wait until they’ve been home for three to six months. By then, you’ll notice they have returned to their old selves and then some. They’ll be ready to get back on track to chasing their hopes, dreams and ambitions. Without the social, financial and physical burdens of substance abuse, the home will be happier and therapy should facilitate healthy channels of communication.

Spouses

Addiction can be particularly strenuous on the romantic relationships between spouses. The nonaddicted partner may have suffered from being codependent, in which case they should definitely seek to attend a support group separately from their husband or wife. If they managed to keep a healthy distance from the condition, they would still have had to cope with the financial and emotional burden of seeing someone they love damaging themselves. As long as you have strong communication skills and aren’t harboring resentment, your relationship with your partner can go from strength to strength after rehab.

Children

Some children are too young to fully understand what’s going on when Mom or Dad goes to rehab, but teens and adult children will be acutely aware of the situation. If they’re old enough to understand, speak openly and honestly with them as a family. Answer their questions and educate them on the perils of addiction. If you’ve been preoccupied with addiction, they’ll be grateful that you have more time for them when you finish rehab. A huge driving force to help prevent relapse for you as a parent will be not wanting to miss out on any more of their lives.

Parents

For younger people or those still living with their parents, this relationship may have been under serious pressure as a result of addiction. Parents are naturally extraordinarily protective and can panic when their beloved child suffers from addiction. Codependency is relatively common, and they should seek group or individual therapy to help deal with their emotions. The change they see in their offspring once they’ve successfully completed a rehab problem can be beautiful. Addiction treatment centers can give someone who seemed to be lost their life back and get them back on track to living their dreams.

Is Your Relationship Hurting Your Recovery?

Disclaimer: This screening is not designed to make a diagnosis or take the place of a professional diagnosis
consultation. Use this brief screening tool to help determine if further action is recommended.
For help in selecting the proper level of treatment in your area please contact our office.

 

Therapy Helps to Put You on the Same Page

Family therapy is a revelation for many people who go through treatment and their families. It helps to teach them about the nature of addiction as a disease, as well as guiding the person suffering from addiction to a position where they can see how their behavior impacts others. This is done in a manner that means they don’t feel blamed or responsible for other people so they can learn how to take responsibility for their own behavior and actions.

Family therapy helps in numerous ways, but three key areas bring families together and assist the improvement of relationships after rehab and long into the future.

Mediation

Mediation is incredibly useful for families who have had someone suffering from addiction among their ranks. Each person must have the opportunity to express how they feel, but there is a constructive way of doing it and a harmful way of doing it.

A counselor oversees family therapy sessions and guides each person, giving them a chance to pour out their feelings but pointing out when it gets negative. As time goes on, you’ll start to understand how to have these discussions in a healthy, nonconfrontational way and establish clear boundaries.

The Power of Communication

Some things are difficult, embarrassing and painful to talk about. Rehab helps to teach residents that these conversations are usually the ones we need to have. Not speaking to each other or addressing issues can lead to resentment and unresolved conflict, which generally leads to explosive arguments later on. By learning to communicate how you feel as it happens, you can seriously strengthen and form healthy relationships with your loved ones.

Understanding Brings Peace

For the person going through the alcohol or drug addiction, their behavior is a significant source of frustration. It often leads to shame, blame and anger at the fact they haven’t been able to control their addiction alone. In many cases, this gets taken out on the people around them. Rehab helps you understand yourself and dissolve those frustrations. As a result, someone who completes a stint in rehab often ends up treating their family much better than they did before.

Residential Rehab for Men in Agua Dulce, California

Going through an addiction treatment program can change your life. You’ll learn new life skills, gain a deeper understanding of yourself and develop your ability to communicate. Once you’re free from drugs or alcohol, you’re in a much better position to chase your dreams. Being focused on your goals and more in control of your emotions can be incredibly beneficial for your interpersonal relationships. To find out more about family therapy at Valley Recovery Center, call us today at 866-986-2486.

Addiction vs Dependence: What Is the Difference?

Drug DependenceThe terms addiction and dependence are often used in reference to substance-use disorders. Although some people use these words interchangeably, they have different meanings. Dependence refers to the body’s physical adjustment to a drug, and addiction refers to compulsive drug use accompanied by behavioral and physical changes. If you’re ready to address your substance use, it’s important to understand the difference between addiction vs dependence.

Dependence Defined

Dependence refers to the physical adaptation that occurs when you use the same substance over a long period of time. When you first start using the substance, you don’t need much of it to achieve a high. Over time, however, your body doesn’t respond to the substance the same way, so you need higher doses to achieve the same effects. Once you develop a dependence, it’s difficult to stop using because many substances cause harsh physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms.

Dependence often develops in stages. The first stage is when you drink alcohol or use drugs infrequently. You may have a few drinks at a party or share some cannabis with friends, but you don’t “need” to use. Next, you may start using a substance on a regular basis. If you can’t access the substance, you may experience agitation or anxiety. The third stage is characterized by tolerance, which occurs when you no longer experience the same effects from taking the substance. Finally, you become dependent on the substance, which can cause both physical and psychological problems.

Addiction Defined

It’s possible to become dependent on a substance without being addicted to it. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health defines addiction as “problematic use of a substance” such as alcohol or an illicit drug. Addiction is typically characterized by the four Cs: craving, inability to control use, compulsion to use and continued use despite negative consequences. Therefore, the main difference between addiction vs dependence is that someone can be dependent on a substance without craving it, losing control over its use, feeling compelled to use the substance or continuing to use the substance even after experiencing negative consequences.

Signs and Symptoms of Dependence

Once you become dependent on a substance, you may notice that you don’t feel as good after taking a small dose. If you want to achieve the same high you usually do, you may have to take a larger dose of the substance. Some people take more frequent doses to experience the same pleasurable effects. If you’re dependent on a substance, you may also experience severe withdrawal symptoms if you try to stop using it. The effects vary based on the type of substance you use, but common withdrawal symptoms include nausea, vomiting, sweating, shaking, muscle aches and abdominal pain.

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

Another key difference between addiction vs dependence is that addiction causes a wide variety of behavioral symptoms in addition to the physical symptoms. If you have developed an addiction to alcohol or another substance, you may experience cravings or feel unable to control your substance use. Some people sustain serious injuries while they are under the influence; still others experience blackouts after using.

Some of the behavioral signs of addiction may affect your romantic relationships, friendships and relationships with family members. One common sign of addiction is engaging in secretive behavior, especially if you’re working hard to hide your addiction from the people you love. It’s not unusual for someone with an addiction to alcohol or drugs to start spending more time alone to make it easier to hide the substance use.

Behavioral changes can also affect your performance at work or school. In a work setting, an addiction can make it difficult to keep track of your responsibilities. Once an addiction develops, you may have trouble making it to work on time, meeting deadlines or maintaining professional relationships with your colleagues, supervisors or clients. If you’re enrolled in classes, addiction can make it difficult to complete assignments on time. You may also find your grades slipping, especially if you frequently miss classes due to substance use.

Harmful Consequences of Addiction

Relationship problems aren’t the only negative consequence of addiction. Depending on what you use and when you use, you may find yourself in trouble with the law. For example, if you have an addiction to alcohol, you may be arrested for a drinking and driving offense. If convicted, you may have to pay fines or spend time in a local prison. Developing an addiction can also cause serious financial harm. If you’re spending a lot of money on alcohol or drugs, you may not have enough left to pay your bills. Addiction can also cause an individual to develop feelings of hopelessness, which can make it difficult to stay motivated enough to enter treatment.

valley recovery center agua dulce individual therapyTreatment Options

Although substance use can have serious consequences, you’re not alone. Treatment is available to help you overcome dependence or recover from addiction. If you have a drug or alcohol dependence, you may be able to take supportive medications to help you avoid some of the unpleasant symptoms associated with withdrawal. For example, medications are available to help control nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches and abdominal pain. In some cases, antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications are used to treat the psychological effects of withdrawal.

Addiction treatment often involves residential rehabilitation or participation in a day rehabilitation program (“dayhab”) staffed by experienced professionals. When you first enter a residential program, you may have the opportunity to go through medical detoxification. During this process, you’ll be monitored by medical professionals who can prescribe supportive medications or other treatments to increase your comfort. Residential programs and day treatment centers offer a variety of services, including one-on-one counseling and peer group meetings, to help you develop healthy habits and learn how to cope with stress without turning to substance use. If you need help recovering from a substance-use disorder, contact Valley Recovery Center to find out the next step.

The Connection Between Addiction and Co-Dependency

Loved One With Alcoholism luxury rehab,addiction,substance,alcohol,drugsCodependency is a dysfunctional relationship pattern characterized by psychological dependence on a person who has some type of addiction. This pattern often occurs in romantic relationships, but it can also develop between family members – a parent and a child or a pair of siblings. In some cases, codependent individuals are dealing with addictions and mental health struggles of their own, making their relationships even more complicated. Additionally, dysfunctional families often fail to acknowledge unhealthy behaviors and signs of codependency leading to further destructive behaviors and an ongoing lack of trust, poor communication and little to no emotional support. The link between addiction and codependency is strong, and it can present several challenges as an individual works to recover from an addiction to alcohol or illicit substances.

Enabling Behavior

Codependent individuals often engage in people-pleasing behavior. Due to low self-esteem and sense of self-worth they will do almost anything to make people like them and have a positive opinion of them, which sometimes causes them to enable their loved ones. Enabling refers to shielding an addicted individual from the negative consequences of their behavior. In many cases, the recovery process begins when an individual feels that life can’t get any worse than it already is. This is known as hitting rock bottom. For someone with an alcohol or substance addiction disorder, this feeling can occur after an arrest for driving under the influence. It may also occur if an individual is fired for substance abuse or if the individual’s romantic partner ends the relationship.

Enablers are so worried about keeping the peace and making sure that people have a positive view of them that they do whatever they can to shield their loved ones from negative consequences. An enabler may make excuses for the addict’s behavior, lie to other people to keep the substance abuse problem a secret, give an addicted individual money even if it will be used to buy alcohol or drugs, perform tasks that the addicted individual is capable of doing themselves or blame other people for the addicted individual’s behavior. If an individual struggling with addiction gets in trouble at work or has an encounter with the police, the enabler may try to excuse the troubling behavior. As a result, the addicted individual never hits rock bottom. By allowing compulsive behaviors to continue, enablers prevent individuals with a substance use disorder from realizing they need help, which can prevent them from entering drug rehab and getting on the road to addiction recovery.

Codependency in Children

Although codependency often manifests in romantic relationships, psychologists have determined that the children of addicts may become codependent due to the role reversal that occurs between parent and child. Parents are supposed to protect their children, teach them how to behave and guide them as they explore the world. Parents struggling with addiction may have difficulty performing these responsibilities. Furthermore, depending on the severity of the alcohol abuse or drug addiction, a parent may be physically unable to care for a child, resulting in a reversal of roles. The child may have to clean the house, cook dinner, take out the trash or perform other adult responsibilities. This can affect the formation of the child’s identity, causing the cycle of codependency to last well into adulthood. The link between addiction and codependency is strong, causing some adults to seek relationships with codependent partners struggling from addiction so they can maintain their caretaking identity.

Characteristics of Codependent Relationships

Not all codependent individuals engage in the same behaviors, but there are some common characteristics of codependency that can signal a problem.

  • Taking responsibility for the well-being of other people
  • Doing more than their fair share of work
  • Depending too much on relationships instead of focusing on individual growth
  • Feeling guilty if others experience negative consequences
  • Strong need for recognition for their efforts
  • Fear of loneliness or isolation
  • Inability to accept change
  • Difficulty setting healthy boundaries
  • Strong need to control or manipulate other people
  • Inability to trust other people

Is Your Relationship Hurting Your Recovery?

Disclaimer: This screening is not designed to make a diagnosis or take the place of a professional diagnosis
consultation. Use this brief screening tool to help determine if further action is recommended.
For help in selecting the proper level of treatment in your area please contact our office.

Negative Consequences

Addiction and codependency can have negative consequences for both people in the relationship. In addition to shielding an addicted individual from negative consequences, codependent behavior can prevent someone struggling with alcohol or drug abuse from forming healthy relationships with other people. The codependent person is so invested in the relationship that they may actively interfere with the other person’s ability to spend time with other people. As a result, the addicted individual may not have the support needed to recover successfully. By enabling an addict’s behavior, someone with codependent tendencies may also work to prevent any change from occurring in the relationship. This can cause the relationship to stagnate, leading to a high level of dissatisfaction for both partners.

Codependency also has troubling consequences for the codependent individual. Individuals who struggle with codependency are more likely to develop addictions to alcohol, gambling, overeating and illicit substances, demonstrating that the link between drug addiction and codependency is strong. The codependent individual may spend so much time enabling the individual with addiction that they have no time left to nurture other relationships. Engaging in enabling behavior may even prevent the codependent individual from succeeding at work or participating in fulfilling hobbies. In some cases, the enabling behavior is so severe that the codependent individual can’t focus on basic responsibilities. They may miss medical appointments, struggle to keep up with household chores or even have difficulty with parenting.

Seeking Addiction Treatment for Your or a Loved One

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Addiction can be difficult to overcome, especially when an addicted individual is in a relationship with someone who struggles with codependency. Codependent behavior can shield addicted individuals from negative consequences, preventing them from hitting rock bottom and starting on the path to recovery. Therefore, it’s important for individuals struggling with addiction to seek treatment programs from qualified medical professionals who can monitor their physical health while also addressing the psychological roots of addiction.

An inpatient rehab program can be especially helpful, as inpatient addiction treatment centers provide a structured setting for recovery. Attending an inpatient program can also help the addicted person improve their self-esteem, develop healthy coping mechanisms and learn how to survive without the help of the codependent individual. Codependent individuals can also improve their behavior by going to individual and family therapy and working to understand how enabling hurts addicted individuals instead of helping them.

Valley Recovery Center offers a wide variety of recovery services, including inpatient medical detox and residential rehabilitation day treatment. To learn more about these services and how we can help you address the underlying causes of addiction or codependency, contact us today by phone at 866-986-2486 or through the website form.

4 Types Of Barbiturates That Are Commonly Abused

man addicted to barbiturates that needs help

Although many people view barbiturates as somewhat of a drug of the past, they are still being prescribed, and they are still being abused. Many people stopped using them when word got out of their high potential for abuse, and since then, they have primarily been replaced by another, equally as an addictive type of drug family, benzodiazepines. However, that does not mean that they are out of circulation, or that they have no effect on the overdose rates occurring throughout the country every day.

  • In 2001, they were used by 2.8 percent of high school seniors.
  • More than 10 million prescriptions are written for barbiturates each year, estimating that 1 in 3 households in the U.S. has a barbiturate.
  • 33 percent of drug-related deaths are connected to barbiturates.
  • 8 percent of barbiturates produced in the U.S. is illegal.
  • 42 percent of deaths linked to barbiturates are classified as a suicide.

What Are Barbiturates Prescribed For?

Many people mix up the drugs that fall into the class of benzodiazepines as those drugs that are actually barbiturates, but there are certain striking differences in the chemical makeup. Overall, the desired, sedative effect that aims towards reducing anxiety is the main reason why many of these medications are still prescribed and still abused.

The main diagnosis that stipulates a prescription are:

  • Seizures and epilepsy
  • Anxiety
  • Insomnia
  • Pre-Anesthesia
  • Euthanasia

Are You Addicted to Barbiturates?

Disclaimer: This screening is not designed to make a diagnosis or take the place of a professional diagnosis
consultation. Use this brief screening tool to help determine if further action is recommended.
For help in selecting the proper level of treatment in your area please contact our office.

4 Most Common Types of Barbiturates:

1. PHENOBARBITAL

Phenobarbital is one of the most commonly used and well-known barbiturates still in use today. Primarily, the purpose of Phenobarbital is for the maintenance of seizures, insomnia, and anxiety, and it is often prescribed to recovering addicts and alcoholics in the medical treatment setting as a detox drug.

However, the danger of this drug when administered in detox and as a medication is it’s highly addictive nature. It is often prescribed, to teens and young adults, and can be especially dangerous when combined with other drugs that are either prescribed or used recreationally.

The side effects of Phenobarbital are:

  • Drowsiness and Dizziness
  • Nausea and Vomiting
  • Irritability and Aggression
  • Headaches and a “hangover” effect
  • Confusion
  • Loss of motor control and coordination

2. SECOBARBITAL

This drug is more commonly known by its street name, “Pink Ladies”, and in the medical setting is most commonly used for euthanasia in pets and anesthesia in humans. It is a very common medication in presurgical sedation but has very high addiction rates when used outside of that setting.

This particular barbiturate is not intended for use as an anti-anxiety medication, as it is purported to develop a tolerance in as little as two weeks. Outside of the surgery setting, it is commonly used in hospitals or detox facilities on a short-term basis only, to treat people with insomnia who are ALREADY addicted to barbiturates. Other than that, it is one of the most common drugs used in a “death with dignity” situation. This just shows how potentially dangerous this drug can be when abused.

The side effects of secobarbital are:

  • Sleepwalking
  • Drowsiness, Dizziness
  • Headaches and Nightmares
  • Restlessness and Agitation
  • Nausea, Vomiting, Constipation, and Diarrhea
  • Hallucinations, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, and extremities

3. AMOBARBITAL

Also commonly known as Amytal, this barbiturate has other street names including, blue heaven, blue velvet, or a blue devil. Primarily, this medication is used pre-surgery to calm anxiety, as an anticonvulsant, or as a sleep aid. People taking Amytal for any reason are encouraged not to drink, not to take any other sedative medications, and to only take other medications after speaking with a doctor. This drug has also been shown to lower the effectiveness of birth control contraceptives in women.

The side effects of Amobarbital are:

  • Low mood and thoughts of suicide
  • Irritability and aggression
  • Intense mood swings
  • Fatigue and Dizziness
  • Infection from the injection site

4. PENTOBARBITAL

More commonly known as “yellow jackets” or “nembies”, with the brand name of Nembutal, Pentobarbital was originally manufactured in the 1930s as a sleep aid. In low doses, as a medication, it can also help control seizures, reduce anxiety, and is commonly used in the surgery room.

Pentobarbital works by binding to the nerve receptors in the brain that are in control of relaxation. Because of this, people either taking or abusing Nembutal can often experience complications with their blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing, which creates a very dangerous situation if a person combines them with other drugs.

Nembutal is another barbiturate that is commonly used as an “end-of-life” medication and is primarily only legal in countries where euthanasia is a legal practice. In the United States and Europe, it is one of the most common drugs used in the euthanasia of animals.

The side effects of Nembutal in humans are:

  • Slurred speech
  • Poor motor control and loss of coordination
  • Mood Swings
  • Slowed Thinking and trouble concentrating

In many countries, obtaining most of these barbiturates can be extremely difficult, but there are still hundreds of cases of overdoses every year due to barbiturate abuse. If you are taking a prescribed amount of a barbiturate for sleep, anxiety, or epilepsy, it is absolutely crucial that you speak with a medical provider before taking or experimenting with other medications or drugs. It is also highly suggested that the user does not drink alcohol.

Another common side effect of these barbiturates is that they reduce the effectiveness of female birth control contraceptive methods. It is HIGHLY recommended for women who are not ready to get pregnant, to use an additional form of contraception such as a condom.

If you or someone you love is addicted to barbiturates call 866-986-2486 or verify your insurance benefits to get started.

How to Help Someone With Drug Addiction

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Addiction isn’t a self-contained disease that affects only the person with the potential diagnosis. It causes shock waves throughout their lives that can be felt in their personal relationships, financial security, work life while greatly impacting someone’s physical and mental health. If you suspect someone you know is going through this, you likely want to help them and offer a support system of some kind.

People who are in the throes of alcohol abuse or drug use often meet this concern with resentment or denial, but understand that is the nature of the disease. The best way to help them is to remain positive and gently encourage them to seek professional help while presenting various treatment options should they be receptive to addiction recovery.

Take Care of Yourself

It can be emotionally and physically draining to try to help someone suffering from a substance use disorder. As such, you need to remember that to truly help someone, you need to be taking care of your own physical, mental and behavioral health. Addiction demonstrates a lack of self-care, and if you’re in that same boat, it will be too much of a strain on you. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s a process we all need to practice consciously every day. You doing this for yourself can set a good example for your addicted loved one as they work through their drug treatment program.

Use Compassion

The old-fashioned view is that tough love is the best way to engender change in someone else. It’s now generally accepted that this can be counterproductive. Kindness and understanding can be some of the most motivating factors in bringing on a positive change in someone else. When you show compassion, they’ll feel more compelled to open up and share how they feel. This dialogue gives you the chance to encourage them to seek an addiction treatment program. 

Try to Help Them Minimize Guilt and Shame

Guilt, shame and anger are driving forces that can lead people to use drugs in the first place. Negative judgments and moralizing from friends and family members can increase the stress they feel and drive them further into their addiction.

It’s completely normal to react to hurtful things they have said and done, but we’d recommend venting this to a support group, such as al-anon, or a close confidante who will let you speak without judgment. You could also call an addiction specialist and seek their advice.

Stay Positive

While there is no cure for addiction, and recovery can be a long and challenging process with relapse and obstacles along the way, remember that it can be treated. Focus on the positive and try to help your loved one to remain in tune with the good things in their life. Hope and the desire to change are the catalysts for recovery from alcohol addiction or drug abuse, so keep that dream alive!

Stage an Intervention for Substance Abuse

In many cases, it can be difficult for one person to help another person to make a change. When the person you care about won’t respond to your suggestions that they should think about rehab, we’d recommend staging an intervention. This involves getting together a group of the people closest to the sufferer and having each write a compassionate letter about how much each person cares about them and wants to see them get better. If you are interested in having someone guide you through the process of helping a person into detox and rehab, you might consider contacting an interventionist. They are experienced when it comes to dealing with an addicted person’s mood swings particularly when that person is confronted with rehab.

For more advice about staging an intervention to help someone you care about to begin the recovery process of overcoming addiction, call the Valley Recovery Center helpline today at 866-986-2486.

Addiction Treatment for Professionals

Pensive Businessman Sitting on Sofa and Holding Glass of AlcoholProfessionals have to learn to juggle so many activities and responsibilities that incorporating drugs and alcohol becomes all too easy. Some individuals use substances to help them calm down after a hard day’s work; others use them to get a boost that helps them continue at the fast pace they expect from themselves.

The extraordinary pressure on people in professional and executive jobs can’t be underestimated, but there are other healthy ways to cope with the stress. Addiction treatment for professionals recognizes and addresses the unique hurdles people in high-powered jobs face. You also benefit from an environment that’s comfortable and meets the expectations of someone who is accustomed to a certain level of home comforts.

The Additional Pressures of Being a Professional

  • Being an accredited professional such as a lawyer, doctor, politician, CEO or business owner comes with a lengthy list of responsibilities. You’re in charge of a large number of workers and have people’s futures in your hands. Alcohol and drugs provide a short-term route to easing the psychological strain of this pressure. Unfortunately, in the long term, they only make the emotional burden worse.
  • Many professionals have the physical or mental well-being of clients in their hands. The burden of being accountable for people’s lives could cause anyone to turn to substances.
  • Working long or antisocial hours is a burden on the mind and body, often leading to a racing mind that’s difficult to switch off at the end of the day. On the other hand, it may lead to using stimulants to stay awake.
  • If you’re a health care professional, you’re likely in close proximity to medication. Simply being exposed to drugs regularly significantly increases your chances of misusing them. There is no shame in seeking help, although your profession might lead you to feel less inclined to admit to anyone that you have a problem.
  • Some high-pressure jobs might come with a culture where drinking to excess or using drugs is normalized.

What Are the Benefits of Addiction Treatment for Professionals?

One of the biggest advantages of attending a treatment program for professionals is that professionals provide it themselves. Many of the doctors, therapists and nurses have a practical understanding of precisely what you’re going through. Some of the other benefits of an executive treatment program relate to the luxury aspects of these clinics. The rest of them revolve around the elevated level of care you’ll receive.

Cutting-Edge Care From the Best in the Business

While there is usually a higher cost associated with addiction treatment for professionals, this means that the facility is attracting the highest quality medical and support staff. They typically have training in the latest, most effective treatment methods and enjoy working in a modern, cutting-edge environment.

Private Rooms

In ordinary rehab centers, clients often share rooms with at least one other person. With an executive rehab program, you have your own room. At the end of a day of residential treatment, you get to relax in a pleasant space and reflect on what you’ve learned in peace and tranquility.

Small Groups for Focused Care

Luxury rehab facilities tend to have a much smaller intake. In some cases, it may be as small as six to eight people at one time. Not only does this let you build strong, family-like bonds with your fellow residents, but you also get much more individual attention and time from the providers of your care.

Confidentiality

As someone who takes great pride in their professional achievements, you’re likely to feel extra-protective of your privacy. Professional rehab goes the extra mile to ensure discretion and confidentiality. Often, the setting is tucked away in a beautiful area, out of town, and the clients share a privacy agreement.

Resort-Like Environment

When you’ve reached a particular position in your work life, you get used to a higher standard of living. Most professional people’s perception of rehab doesn’t fit into the type of place they’d enjoy or even feel comfortable spending time in. Rehab for executives breaks this mold. You enjoy spending time in a resort-like setting that’s decorated to a high standard and has gym facilities, a pool and much more to help you relax when you’re not attending treatment.

Customized Therapy Depending on Your Needs

A rehab program that’s designed with treating professionals in mind goes to great lengths to assess each client’s needs and create an individualized care plan. Smaller groups mean the doctors and therapists have fewer people to focus on, which lends itself to deeper insights and closer bonds between client and care provider. Additionally, you have access to a broader range of treatment options that are regularly updated according to the latest research.

A Wide Range of Treatment Options

  • Individual therapy: One-on-one treatment gives clients the chance to discuss their past experiences and address the causes of addiction with a certified counselor. You’ll work together using techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, EMDR and trauma therapy to overcome your personal obstacles and develop your coping skills.
  • Group therapy: Group therapy is one of the most effective forms of treatment for addiction. You get to share your story with other people going through a similar experience while listening to and empathizing with what they’re going through.
  • Experiential therapy: These types of therapy, such as art and music therapy, yoga, meditation and mindfulness, give you alternative methods of releasing stress while putting you in the calm and reflective state of mind necessary to be more receptive to treatment.
  • Chef-prepared meals: In a rehab program for professionals, you’ll enjoy three delicious and nutritious chef-prepared meals each day.
  • Gym and game room: Exercise and play are just as important in recovery as therapy. Moving your body is a natural way of releasing feel-good neurotransmitters while conditioning the body to look its best.

Rehab for Professionals in California

There should be no shame attached to admitting you need help, even if your position at work has led to a life of taking the lead. Call Valley Recovery Center today at 866-986-2486 to hear more about luxury rehab for professionals.

How to Help My Husband With Drug Addiction

Husband and Wife in an Argument Over AlcoholismWhen you feel like you’ve lost someone you love to the clutches of addiction, it can cause issues in your life and bring up various difficult emotions that can be very hard to manage. It’s normal to feel resentment and mourn the loss of the person you once knew — but rest assured, they can get better.

Substance use disorders are treatable, and anyone can overcome them with a robust support network and detox treatment. As a wife, you make up the most fundamental component of that support network. This responsibility doesn’t have to weigh you down, and you should never feel responsible for your husband’s condition. Just know that there are ways you can help and specific things to avoid.

Try to Avoid Arguments

There’s no denying that people who struggle with addiction are prone to behaviors that can test your patience. Excessive drug use can have a negative impact on some of the most contentious matters of daily life. Finances, socializing, daily functioning and your loved one’s personality are affected, so many couples fall into the trap of fighting with each other.

It’s incredibly tempting to tell your husband off or chastise him about the way he’s been acting. Often, the addict becomes much more argumentative. You must hone your self-control and resist arguing entirely. It only serves to make your stress levels higher, and it’s more likely to make his problem worse than help him.

Listen and Be Supportive

The main aim for you if your husband is addicted to drugs or alcohol is to get him into a luxury rehab for men. While you can support him, you won’t be able to cure him. To help him make the necessary changes, you’ll need him to feel that you’re on his side. You love him, so of course, you want what’s best for him, but someone with a substance use disorder is susceptible to poor judgment. Listen to how he feels and let him know how much you care about him.

Separate the Person From the Addiction

Your husband may have become distant, quick-tempered, deceptive and isolated as a result of his condition. Being patient and remaining calm yourself is always going to be more constructive than letting your emotions take control of you. Many people find it’s easier to put their resentment and anger into context when they separate the person from the addiction.

A substance use disorder is medically classified as a disease, not a lifestyle choice or display of low morals. By aiming your negative emotions at the destructive condition that has changed you and your partner’s life instead of the man himself, you have a vent for your frustration without taking it out on him.

Gently Persuade Him to Seek Professional Help

Before trying to persuade your husband to do anything, make sure you have done your research. People are far more likely to listen when you frame your suggestions with facts and knowledge of the subject you’re talking about. It’s also a great idea to seek the advice of an expert to ask them for guidance. Call Valley Recovery Center in California today at 866-986-2486 to speak to an advisor about your individual situation.