When a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, it impacts not only him or her but also impacts you on both an emotional and psychological level. From watching your loved one blow through all of his or her cash to pay for drugs/alcohol to watching them begin to display serious physical and psychological substance abuse symptoms, their addiction is bound to take a significant toll on you.
Once your loved one finally accepts substance abuse treatment in Orange County, CA, you might feel a major sense of relief at first, but then find yourself struggling with how to cope with his or her transition into treatment.
How to Cope with a Loved One Going to Substance Abuse Treatment in Orange County, CA
The good news about your loved one going to substance abuse treatment in Orange County, CA is that he or she is going to turn his or her life around for the better. Not only will they have a chance to change, but you will as well. As you begin to settle into the idea that your loved one is going to substance abuse treatment, you might need some additional support to help cope with this transition. Some of the many ways that you can cope with a loved one going to substance abuse treatment in Orange County, CA can include the following:
- Attend family therapy – Since substance abuse affects all involved, it is critical that you get yourself into family therapy to work out any issues you might be having not only with your loved one’s transition into substance abuse treatment but also to work out the issues that are occurring on the home front in response to your loved one’s abuse. This type of therapy can also help improve communication between you and the user, as well as you and the rest of your family.
- Get educated – One of the biggest reasons why the process of substance abuse and substance abuse treatment is so difficult to accept and understand is because many people are lacking education on substance abuse itself. By attending therapy sessions, going to support groups and more, you can begin learning about addiction as the disease, not addiction as the choice.
- Visit your loved one – Keeping in touch with your loved one during his or her stay at substance abuse treatment in Orange County, CA is critical to maintaining your relationship with him or her. Not only can you begin applying your newfound communication skills to your conversations, but you can also actively support him or her in their recovery.
By attending family therapy, getting educated on addiction, and visiting your loved one in substance abuse treatment in Orange County, CA, you can actively cope with his or her steps towards sobriety. In addition, you can include your family to help support you during this process, as well as provide them with similar coping skills.
Author
-
Paul Alexander is the CEO, President & Founder of Northbound Treatment Network in Newport Beach, California. He believes wholeheartedly in transformational leadership, organizational health and effective, fully integrated substance use disorder and mental health treatment. With over 27 years of experience in behavioral healthcare, Paul has extensive knowledge of “in vivo” treatment modalities, clinical development, operations, strategy, marketing and financial planning. He has been widely recognized for his development of collegiate-based residential treatment programs for students in recovery and authored a research study at The University of California confirming this modality’s effectiveness.
Paul’s comprehensive professional experience, willingness to innovate, and emphasis on organizational health are vital factors in Northbound’s continued success. Paul received his Certified Addiction Treatment Specialist training at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, CA, and was awarded Outstanding Alumni Service Award in 2002. Paul holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology, Law and Society, Summa Cum Laude, from University of California, Irvine, and a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School of Los Angeles. Paul currently serves on The National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP) board. In addition, he serves on The Family Recovery Foundation board and The CarePossible board in Orange County; both organizations are committed to raising funds for family recovery and treatment for former military personnel. Paul is in recovery himself and lives in Orange County with his wife Silvana and his two young sons, Noah and Dean.
