Help for a Loved One
Help For A Loved One
Watching loved ones struggle with addiction can be challenging and heartbreaking. It can leave you feeling angry, hurt, and confused. While it is normal to feel overwhelmed when your loved ones are struggling, it is essential to realize that not all hope is lost. Recovery is possible and you can help your loved one get there.
How to Recognize Your Loved One Needs Help
Sometimes, recognizing that a loved one is struggling with addiction can be challenging. However, they may be exhibiting some physical and social signs that they need help. Some include:
- Weight Loss. Certain substances can lead to a change in eating habits, leading to malnourishment and weight loss.
- Disregarding Responsibilities or Routines. As addiction progresses, it can take over the life of your loved one. They may prioritize their substance use over everyday tasks.
- Neglecting Relationships. Your loved one may neglect family and friends out of guilt and shame or because they are under the influence. They are also more likely to spend time with other people using substances.
- Legal Problems. For loved ones who haven’t faced many legal problems in the past, a sudden increase in court appearances or tickets may indicate something is going on.
- Financial Issues. Addiction can be costly to maintain. Constantly asking to borrow money, selling personal property, or having sudden changes in finances may be a sign your loved one is struggling.
How to Help
If you have never been exposed to addiction, you may be misinformed about what addiction is, who it affects, and how it affects them. It may help to do some research to better understand what your loved one is going through. Just as you are experiencing feelings about their addiction, they may be experiencing a wide array of emotions as well. The more informed you are about the disease, the more you will be able to help them.
You should also be aware that ignoring the issue will not make it go away. Confronting your loved one about their addiction can be intimidating, but it may be a necessary conversation. You mustn’t look down on your loved one for their struggle with addiction. Addiction is a disease that affects individuals physically, mentally, and spiritually. Your loved one didn’t wake up one day and decide to become addicted to substances. What your loved one needs from you during this time is support, not judgment. While having a conversation with them about their addiction, you want to remember to stay calm, be open and honest, and let your loved one know that you are there to help them get better.
The most important thing you can do for yourself during this time is to take care of yourself. When you’re watching a spouse, friend, or child struggle with addiction, your own well-being may be the last thing on your mind. However, addiction is a family disease, and whether you realize it or not, your loved one’s addiction is taking a toll on you too.
Take time to practice self-care. You can consider exercising, eating healthy, enjoying time outside, reading a book, or doing other things you enjoy. Know that it is also okay for you to seek help. Counseling or support groups, such as CoDependents Anonymous (CoDA) or Al-Anon, can be great resources for help. You may even show your loved one that it is okay for them to reach out for help too. It can seem selfish to take time for yourself while your loved one is struggling, but you can’t help them unless you help yourself first. The happier and healthier you are, the more help you will be able to provide them.
Finding Treatment
Your loved one may not be ready to get help right away; however, you can still do something to help them. You can start by researching different addiction treatment programs and what they have to offer. Explore your options and determine what would be the best fit for your loved one.
Financial means may be a significant factor when looking into getting help for your loved one. At Spero Recovery Center, our mission is to provide accessible, high-quality care to all. Through our non-profit Spero Foundation, we can even grant financial aid. We created our program to give hope to an underserved community that may be uninsured or unable to pay for treatment. We believe that access to quality care is a human right and have created an option for individuals with limited finances.
The Differences at Spero Recovery Center
At Spero Recovery Center, we want to help improve each person’s quality of life, including individuals who are affected by addiction as well as their families. We offer clinically-informed programming with gender-specific care for men. Our clinical director has over two decades of experience with many treatment modalities. With clinical oversight, we give our guests the opportunity to evaluate past behaviors, repair relationships, and embark on a new life journey free from substances.
At Spero Recovery, we believe in the power of community. We want our guests to feel like they are a part of something bigger. Our goal is to create a community vibe where our guests feel like they are hanging out and talking amongst one another; this enables our guests to feel comfortable and develop interpersonal skills. We want to create a safe environment for your loved one where they can become the person they have always wanted to be.
Our guests are introduced to a new way of life by people who have walked a similar path. We invite members of 12 Step communities into our facility to share their experiences, strengths, and struggles. Our alumni are also a significant part of our program. We are mens-only program that specializes in evidence-based residential care and experiential therapy. Our program also incorporates group therapy and activities. When our guests feel like they are contributing members of a community that is doing something together—instead of being told to do something on their own—they feel a sense of ownership.
Spero Recovery Center also offers:
- Community areas
- Recovery meeting rooms
- The option to meet with a sponsor online
- Woodworking shop
- Hiking trails
- Two destination summits
- Meditation
Aftercare For Your Loved One
At Spero Recovery Center, we want to set our guests up for long-term recovery, preparing them to succeed after they leave our program. We know how long it can take to get to the point of seeking help for addiction. We want to give our guests the best chance at maintaining long-term recovery, which is why we emphasize the importance of aftercare plans. An aftercare plan is designed based on what your loved one needs to thrive in early recovery outside of our program. Having a plan can help your loved one maintain motivation and momentum as they move forward in recovery.
Start With Spero Recovery Center Today
Helping a loved one who is struggling with addiction can be challenging. Spero Recovery Center wants you to know that your loved one is never alone. To learn more about our program and how we can help those you love, call us today.
With over two decades of experience since beginning his career in 1996, Marty has worked extensively across the United States, contributing significantly to clinical leadership teams at multiple reputable organizations including The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the Caron Foundation. Marty’s commitment to patient care has established him as a pillar within the national behavioral health treatment community. He frequently collaborates with industry leaders to discuss and advance treatment strategies. Throughout his career, Marty has successfully managed, developed, and implemented specialized services in behavioral health, mental health, and addiction treatment.
