7 Tips for Helping Someone you're Dating with an Addiction
Here are 7 Tips for Helping Someone you're Dating with an Addiction. The challenge with addiction is that the addict is not the only one impacted by this disease. Family and friends can have difficulty with the addict’s behavior, financial problems, legal problems and the daily struggle of supporting trying to find healthy balance. Sometimes dating an addict can be difficult. Here are seven tips that family and friends can reference to support an addicted family member or friend.
Tip #1: Educate Yourself
Get information about addictions. Understand the addict’s disease process. Find information about how it impacts the family and friends. Knowledge is power and it may help you understand more about yourself and your loved one. There are many resources for finding this information: SAMHSA.gov (Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration) has all types of educational and informational resources. The public library and the internet have an enormous amount of information for education, groups, support, treatment, etc.
Tip #2: Get Support
When you have a loved one with an addiction problem, it can create a great deal of difficulty in your life. There are groups that can help you learn how to cope, provide resources and help the addict, including:
- Al-Anon (focused on Alcohol addiction)
- Nar-Anon (focused on drug addiction – prescription and illegal)
Tip #3: Get Counseling
It may be helpful to get some individual counseling to assist yourself. Counseling isn’t just for the alcoholic or addict. The more you are able to manage the better you will be able to help your loved one. There are a variety of resources to find counselors. Your company may have an Employee Assistance Program, or your health insurance may have mental health benefits that you can access. Talk to someone you trust about finding the resources you need and do a search for resources in your area.
Tip #4: Seek Specialty Help
If you need assistance with financial issues or legal issues it may be helpful to talk to attorney providers that are covered. There are organizations that provide services on a sliding scale fee, and you can often find those by calling your local Mental Health Agency or United Way. Local churches may also provide some low or no cost counseling.
Tip #5: Don’t Enable
It is difficult for family members when the disease takes hold. Often, family members have supported the person’s addiction without even fully realizing that was what they were doing. Don’t rescue the addict. Let them experience the consequences of their disease. Many times, people are unable to change until they are forced. Don’t financially support the addict or their addiction. Many family members and friends buy groceries, give financial assistance to pay court fines or attorneys, or pay rent to help someone out, but usually it only prolongs the disease as addicts are able to avoid consequences.
Tip #6: Have Realistic Expectations
Don’t preach or lecture to the addict. They are usually unable to hear what you are saying. Continue to hold them accountable to expectations and offer help to direct them to the treatment they need. Don’t expect addicts to keep promises, they are not able to do so while in the process of their disease. Don’t react with pity or anger. This only keeps you in the process with the addict.
If your loved one is ready to get help, visit our Alcohol and Drug Treatment page to find out more about getting a referral and assessment. You can also contact Legal Aid programs in your area to see if you qualify for those services or they may be able to direct you to someone who can assist you.
If you have insurance and just want to get information about pricing, give us a call 24/7 (727)-498-6498.
Tip #7: Take Care of Yourself
Focusing on your own life is the most important thing you can do to assist the addict. If you are stressed out due to their issues, in addition to your own, it creates resentment and strain. It makes it difficult to want to help someone who has created so much difficulty in your life. By taking care of yourself through exercising, getting plenty of sleep, socializing and getting support, you may be better able to help your loved one when they are ready to accept the help.
The most important thing to remember is that you aren’t alone. Many people battle with these issues every day and it is vital to get the resources and support you need.
Beach Therapy for Drug & Alcohol Addiction: What to Expect During Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Have you ever considered therapy at the beach? It has been studied people who live near the coast report better physical and mental health than those who don’t, according to Health Place.
Deciding to get help is a crucial first step to drug and alcohol addiction recovery. It can also be a scary one.
We’ll walk you through the pros of beach therapy and what to expect at a Tampa drug and alcohol rehab center.
What to Expect from an Alcohol Rehab Detox
If you have been diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, there are many different approaches to treatment. Often people who suffer from AUD must go through a detox stage in order to stop their dependence on alcohol. If you rely on alcohol to feel normal, then you might need to attend an alcohol treatment center that conducts a monitored detox.
The detox process can be difficult due to the withdrawal symptoms one’s body may experience. Alcohol detox symptoms may include:
- Anxiety
- Delirium tremens (DTs)
- Depression
- Hallucinations
- Problems sleeping
- Shakiness
- Unstable changes in blood pressure and heart rate
Following the detox process, rehabilitation treatments are important to stay sober. There are many benefits to attending a rehab facility near the beach in order to maximize your comfort while in rehab.
Boat Therapy for Alcohol Rehab
Boat therapy is exactly what it sounds like, therapy on a boat. This method is considered an alternative experiential therapy because of its unique session location.
Alcohol rehab does not need to take place within four walls. Boat therapy is used to take sessions outside and under the sun.
This type of therapy helps teach patients to live in the moment. Out on the open water, people face constant challenges that must be dealt with in real time. Learning these skills helps patients explore healthy outlets and coping mechanisms.
Boat therapy is not the only alternative method used at drug and alcohol rehab facilities. Other types of alcohol treatment include yoga, meditation, and nutrition counseling.
A Serene Location in Tampa, Florida
When you enter a beach therapy drug and alcohol rehabilitation center, you can expect your surroundings to be peaceful. The ocean serves as a calming presence throughout a rehab experience.
Meditation beach walks are included in morning schedules to start the day on a tranquil note. You can expect to see this in a treatment routine before sessions begin.
Going through alcohol rehab at a treatment facility close to the beach helps to provide a basis for a holistic approach to therapy. Holistic recovery focuses on all aspects of healing physically, mentally and spiritually.
Transformations By The Gulf Florida Drug Rehab and Substance Abuse Center
At Transformations By The Gulf Florida Drug Rehab and Substance Abuse Center, you can expect to be treated with empathy and respect from day one.
Following your admittance, you will speak directly with a licensed substance abuse therapist to create your unique holistic treatment plan. Each day at the rehab facilities will be curated to the patient’s specific needs from beach meditation walks to boat therapy.
Our staff is here to help you every step of the way. If you or someone who know needs alcohol rehab, please contact us.