Dealing with Drug & Alcohol Addiction in the Family

Modern society is dealing with the realities of chemical dependency through a variety of drug rehab programs. Chemical dependency is a disease that can impact anyone regardless of age, gender, ethnic identification and or religious beliefs. No one is immune from substance abuse. Treatment centers are assisting those from all walks of life and economic levels, offering hope as well as freedom from the ravages of chemical dependency. Chemical dependency does not only impact those directly in contact with the substance, but it can have a destructive effect on those whom the addict loves most: their family and friends. Now, in modern times, it is as equally important for the loved ones of those who enter into substance abuse treatment to have an understanding of what they are about to encounter.

In the state of Texas, drug rehab are able to offer many types of treatment programs. When approaching a loved one about entering into a drug rehab, there is a way to go about it that will move the addict into the right direction. What’s required is the combined ability to listen, to comfort, and affirm your love for the person who needs to enter into substance abuse treatment. From there it is possible to take proper action.

Equally important is to have the addict enter into a recovery center that administers a truly successful program which motivates the patient to choose a life free from chemical dependency. Bay Area Recovery Center, a Texas drug rehab facility, is regarded as the most successful in guiding clients on the road to complete recovery. We are the leading facility among the Houston rehab centers, which offers the hope of a sober life.

About Bay Area Recovery Center

Our treatment facilities offer both outpatient and in-patient residential programs. Bay Area Recovery Center (BARC), is a Houston rehab center offering an intensive outpatient therapy program which is administered in a welcoming and professional atmosphere. Our in-patient drug and alcohol treatment program has both a women-only residential center and men only residential rehab center as well. We are committed to seeing both you and your loved ones free from substance abuse through effective drug rehab.

Understanding addiction is the first step towards the road to recovery. Our founding partners, once having been addicts themselves, have intimate knowledge of the impact addiction can have upon family and friends. Having experienced the pain and suffering first hand, it gives us real world practical knowledge of what it takes to administer successful substance abuse treatment. Of all the Houston rehab centers near us, we can boast of having among the highest success rate in treating chemical dependency.

What to Do When Dealing with Substance Abuse Treatment

Listen and Affirm

Before entering your loved one into a drug rehab program, there are several things to consider to successfully navigate through treatment.

First things first. Your loved one is addicted to either drugs or alcohol. They may not react in the way you hope when confronting them about their addition. The chances are they will feel cornered and become defensive. Sometimes, an addicted person will crawl into a shelter of denial and delusion.

First you must affirm your love for them. This is an important first step before you contact any Texas drug rehab facility.

In no way are we suggesting you manage their addiction, accept their behavior or enable continued abuse of drugs or alcohol. This never works. You cannot simply “manage-down” addiction. The best thing you can do is to remain calm, non-judgmental and call a substance abuse treatment facility like Bay Area Recovery Center.

The ability to listen and affirm is an important first step, particularly if you are thinking about staging an intervention. Any one of our Houston rehab centers will help you stage a proper invention where our professional counselors will engage your loved one with the affirmation needed to open the door for them to enter into drug rehab. You may ask yourself, “Can’t I do this alone?” The short answer is: “No.” Unless you are professional who deals with chemical dependency you cannot do this on your own. You need to get professional help.

Take Action and Contact a Texas Drug Rehab Program

A professional facility, like one of Bay Area Recovery Center’s rehab facilities across the Houston area, can properly diagnose and treat your loved one with a long term plan that will get them on the road to living a sober life. This is not something you can improvise and hope it works out; it requires professional help.

Our staff of highly trained medical professionals has extensive knowledge of substance abuse treatment. We have been providing treatment for chemical dependency since 1992 and are fully licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services. Bay Area Recovery Center is committed to seeing your loved one live a life that is free from the bondage of chemical dependency. Of the Houston rehab centers, we offer the best chance for a complete recovery.

Become Informed

After contacting the local Houston rehab centers, the best thing you can do for your loved one who is about to enter into a treatment facility is to become informed about their condition. Gain an understanding of their disease and its effects on their mental, physical and spiritual state. Here are some basic things you can do to become your own substance abuse treatment advocate:

• Read as much information as you can on the subject
• Attend support group meetings such as Al-Anon or Nar-Anon
• Engage with counselors at the Texas drug rehab treatment facility
• Keep a journal that will help you personally cope with the journey you are about to take

Make no mistake, when your loved one enters into a Texas drug rehab, their journey is your journey. Without proper treatment, this devastating illness can bring about unfortunate and irreparable consequences.

Maintain Consistency

When a loved one enters into a Texas drug rehab program, there is a tendency to drop everything and tend to their needs. This is understandable, but it is also not sensible. Dealing with addiction can be a drain on the many aspects of life. Whether it is physical, emotional and spiritual, an addict can drag you down if you do not maintain your consistency.

Here are some of the areas where you should remain consistent:

• Work Schedule. If at all possible maintaining financial stability is crucial to your overall wellbeing and the wellbeing of your family.
• Physical Activity. If you are athletic, keep your current exercise regime. If not, then maybe now is the time to adopt a more active lifestyle. Physical activity will help eliminate the stress that has a tendency of overwhelming a person who is taking the journey of their partner’s sobriety.
• Family Obligations. If you have children, make sure you remain consistent with their school activities, their homework and grades, social activities and overall wellbeing. Do not let your loved one’s addiction ruin their future.
• Social Connections. Of course, the well-being of your loved one is crucial, however if you shut yourself off from your normal social activities such as church, municipal groups or even something as simple as dinner with friends, you may find yourself given over to a negative outlook with could results in depression. Maintaining a healthy and balanced social life will help you keep perspective and a positive attitude.

Consider the Safety Element

The effect of addiction can be dangerous to your wellbeing, not to mention expensive as addiction also attacks the financial stability of the family unit. While we do not advocate separating families, addiction has a way of destroying everything it comes in contact with, including spouses and children. While you want to maintain your integrity, it may be more important to provide for the safety of you and your children should the situation become violent.

When seeking counseling from one of the Houston rehab centers in the area, do not be timid about seeking advice on any of the protective services they may have experience with. Remember, you are not alone, nor should you be alone. If you are considering seeking substance abuse treatment for your spouse, it is important that you do not put either you or your family into a vulnerable position when it comes to safety. Please consider all avenues of assistance whether it be ministers, extended family members, friends and even law enforcement if necessary.

Do your best to overcome any shame you may be experiencing. The safety of you and your family is important and protecting those directly impacted by this disease is nothing to be embarrassed about. A successful drug rehab experience cannot happen if you are beaten down and afraid for your life, or the life of your children.

Things to Avoid When Dealing with Chemical Dependency

While you are looking into Houston rehab centers, here are few things that you should avoid:

Unreasonable Expectations

Becoming addicted takes time. Anyone who enters into drug rehab has a story and every set of circumstance is different. If took time to become addicted, then having the expectation of immediate results might be unreasonable. Drug rehab is not an easy process. Therefore false expectations only lead to frustration and disappointment. When contacting a Texas drug rehab facility keep in mind that this is not about you. You are not the one who is overcoming addiction.

Unreasonable Burdens

Wanting to help is a good thing. Offering the wrong kind of help can be disastrous. Also a false sense of compassion could derail a successful drug rehab if not kept in check. What many spouses and partners have a tendency to do (and which should be avoided at all costs) is the need to cover up and make excuses for the addiction. The goal is to get them help in drug rehab, not enable the behavior to continue. Protecting them from sobriety will only increase their dependency and create a culture of avoidance from the realities of the impact that the disease can bring upon a family.

• Don’t play the blame game. This includes the inclination to blame yourself. Wallowing in self-pity will not help the situation; it only makes things bleaker.
• Do leave all judgmental accusations at the door.
• Avoid all threats, including preaching, punishments, and retaliations.
• Do not negotiate with your spouse’s addiction. The house will win every time and you are not the house.
• Do not become the martyr. Adopt a zero tolerance for shouldering their responsibility and guilt. While this may impact you, it is not your addiction to overcome.
• Do not join in and become addicted yourself. While empathy is good, following their lead will only bring further destruction to you and your family.

Houston Rehab Centers making a difference

When dealing with someone who is struggling with chemical dependency, having a strong set of guidelines to navigate towards the goal of sobriety is vital to a successful recovery process. It is estimated that there are more than 23 million people in the United State who struggle with some form of chemical dependency. Given the high number of addiction there is the possibility that either you or someone you know may be considering entering into a substance abuse treatment facility. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone; help is available if you seek it.

When it comes to finding a reliable Texas drug rehab, Bay Area Recovery Center offers professional services that can help you heal. We offer the chance for freedom from substance abuse and addiction. If either you or your loved one is faced with the decision to enter into a drug rehab program, then call Bay Area Recovery Center. We are here for you.

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