How Addiction Affects Loved Ones | The elbowroom

Any addiction destroys not only the addict but the entire family.

This ?Support for Families of Addiction? workshop and support group is for family members, parents, friends and / or loved ones who have been profoundly affected by addiction. ? They often experience feelings of confusion, frustration, helplessness, self blame, anger or grief of a lost loved one through addiction.? Our resident psychotherapist Natalie O?Rourke understands and has experience of working with those battling their addiction and also working with families, loved ones and is here to provide help for both the individual and the family.
Family members and loved ones often put their own lives on hold to help the friend or family member in need.? This can lead to resentment and co-dependency, both of which are unhealthy and dangerous to the family members themselves.? Friends and families also need support to discover the facts about addiction and co-occurring disorders and to recover from the traumatising effects of loving someone who has this life-threatening illness.

Loved ones often develop their own symptoms relating to the disorder, such as pre-occupation, attempts to control, sometimes hiding, sneaking and dishonesty begin to surface.? Family members may exhibit elements of denial surrounding their own enabling or co-dependency and can become detrimental to the relationship(s) that mean the most to them.

When you love someone who is suffering from addiction or co-occurring disorders, you are on an emotional roller-coaster and your family is in a constant state of crisis.? It is critically important that loved ones learn about the disease, how it has affected not just the alcoholic/addict but everyone who loves the addict.? Loved ones must learn how to begin their own healing process.

This intensive workshop offers the family an opportunity to learn the basics about addiction and co-occurring disorders.? How their behaviours and attitudes may have innocently enabled their loved one?s addiction and most importantly: what to do next?

In a supportive group environment you will:

??? ?Gain knowledge about addiction
??? ?Learn to let go and detach from the problems surrounding addiction
??? ?An insight into the 12 Step Programme and how Al-Anon and other support groups can help
??? ?Overcome any shame or guilt in order to move beyond co-dependency
??? ?Learn to set healthy boundaries
??? ?Create an individualized plan for an exciting and bright future
??? ?Build a network of support to assist you throughout the process
??? ?Receive help and guidance for the addict in your life
??? ?How crisis effects the family ? How families can recover
??? ?Co-dependency, enabling and detachment
??? ?Developing healthy boundaries
??? ?How to improve communication and resolve family conflicts
??? ?Recognizing signs and symptoms of relapse and addiction behaviours

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Additional Support

At The elbowroom we offer education, therapy and suggestions for ways in which to treat this part of the family disease. All family members, including children and extended family can benefit from this programme. Please contact the elbow room Psychotherapist if you also would like to book private sessions.
Limited places are available

Tea and coffee will be provided at afternoon break

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Source: http://www.the-elbowroom.com/news/how-addiction-affects-loved-ones/

travis pastrana quinton coples a.j. jenkins riley reiff david decastro aj jenkins shea mcclellin