Professionals know what works, are familiar with the latest techniques and can give anxious or frightened families a clear understanding of what to expect before, during and after the intervention. This perspective can be invaluable when strong emotions, many held under the surface for years, come up. Professional intervention can also help families listen to each other much more effectively than they have before, which is crucial in this highly charged situation.

The cycle of addiction can be stopped. Chemical dependency can be treated and controlled. Resources for help are available through Public Community Agencies, Houses of Worship, Employee Assistance Programs, Treatment Centers, and Support Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

TREATMENT WORKS!

Help end their suffering and yours

Alcoholism and addiction are commonly referred to as "family diseases" because of their significant effect on the entire family. Families often feel forced to adjust to the chaotic moods and behaviors of the alcoholic or addict. These frequently include inappropriate displays of anger, manipulative behaviors including lying, avoidance, and denial, and can include violence, financial mismanagement, and infidelities. The negative impact on trust and safety within family relationships is profound and can result in devastating consequences if left unaddressed. In spite of the impact, family members are often the last to admit that there is a problem.

Sometimes, family members think they can control the addiction; they walk on eggshells around the alcoholic/addict to try not to upset them, save them repeatedly from the consequences of their actions, or attempt to control their lives to "rescue" them from their self destructive behaviors. Other times, they may pretend that things really are not so bad when those around them clearly see that they are.

Underlying these efforts are often feelings of helplessness, despair, anxiety, and anger about the damage the addiction has caused and will continue to cause on the life and integrity of the family.

These and other difficulties confront family members and friends like you every day. To begin an enduring recovery, you clearly need a substantial breadth and depth of support. By gaining valuable information, sharing experiences, and getting compassion for your feelings, you can begin to ease the pain and see that there is hope. It’s sometimes easy to forget about your needs when someone you love is acting so destructively.

At Blue Ridge First Step, you can learn about the impact of addiction on the family, get insight into the family’s influence on addiction and recovery, and satisfy your needs for help and support. And at last you can gain some peace of mind, knowing that you and your loved one are receiving the best care possible.

Contact us

back to top