Back From the Brink - When Precription Drugs Are Not Helping Our Healthsubmitted on 25 September 2014
Prescription drugs help millions of people fight disease and to improve their health, but the abuse and addiction to some of these drugs is now a major concern. According to the Center for Disease Control the number of people abusing pain killers has passed 12 million, and this shows the size of the problem with prescribed medication. For those who become addicted, help from the family will be needed, but coping with an addict in your home can be a strain on any family. If you want to help, you will need to know the best approaches, so here are some suggestions that may help you on this difficult journey
Support
You need to realize that you are not a doctor, and that any help you give can only come in the form of support and guidance. Nobody will expect you to cure an addicted family member, but you can help in other ways. You can help them to avoid circumstances that could trigger a need for a drug, and helping them to enjoy their time in a sober state can fill any void caused by a drug craving. When a shoulder to cry on is needed you can be there, and it is a great help to many sufferers simply to talk and again you can be there for that. You will become the crutch in their recovery, not the treatment
Look After Yourself
Helping somebody through a troubled time is often exhausting for the carer, and helping an addicted person is no different. Make sure that your care does not become the sole thing in your life. Unwind every night, relax in a bath, take walks, do anything to take away the stress of caregiving too much. The last thing you want is to become a problem yourself.
Learn About the Problem
The more you know about the problem, the more chance you have of acting in the right way to help. Read books on the subject, look on the internet, and most importantly, talk to people in the same situation as yourself they will understand your worries and will have gone through those worries themselves. You should also be able to find group meetings for the carers of addicts these are excellent places to find out everything you need to do, and to hear the inspirational words that can help you find the strength to carry on.
Allow Freedom
You cannot stifle the person you are caring for, you need to let go and allow them freedom. You must show some trust as it is a great enabler for people, it shows a respect that many addicts (no matter what the addiction is) feel they have lost. Allow them to make mistakes, but be there to help if they do.
Professional Guidance
Whether you decide to attend group meetings as a family, or use the professional help offered by a facility that promotes sober living, you will find that professional help is vital. No matter how much we love and care for our family, we are not professionals and we could make mistakes. These mistakes could have a profound effect, so make sure you seek professional help when aiding the recovery of your loved one.
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