As difficult as drug addiction is for an individual, it can in some ways be even more difficult for their family members. The individual they knew can be lost in the drug addiction, turning to theft or other dishonest activities in order to feed their addiction. They can deteriorate both mentally and physically, experience dramatic mood changes and even irrational and psychotic behaviors. They may even make repeated attempts to curb or end their addiction, without success. In short, family members may feel that the individual they once knew is essentially gone, replaced by a drug-abusing fiend of sorts. Considering this, one may wonder if is it appropriate for families to cut off communication with those who are addicted to drugs.
Communication with A Drug-addicted Family Member
Some family members may feel guilty in cutting off communication with a drug-addicted loved one whom they feel needs support and guidance in order to successfully battle their addiction. Others feel that communication with a drug-addicted family member is not true communication, as one is constantly under the suspicion that the drug-addicted individual is not seeking true comfort or support, but rather trying to find yet another way to further their drug habit. Gifts given at birthdays and holidays can easily be sold to buy more drugs, and a drug-addicted individual is not above stealing from their family members to support their habit.
On a community-related blog, one individual asked if one should remain in communication with a drug-addicted family member, even when remaining in communication with them causes one considerable pain and guilt. The answers are mixed, some individuals stating that remaining in communication with family members without enabling them to further their drug use was critical in helping them overcome their addiction. Other individuals state that cutting off communication with drug-addicted family members forced them to spiral down to bottom and seek their own way out, which was more successful for them than if they had been pushed or cajoled into treatment by family members. Even a former addict stated that this was the best way – full communication cut off until they are sober gives the drug-addicted individual something to work towards. Still others take a middle ground – deciding that entirely cutting off communication is not ideal, but boundaries definitely must be set so that the family member’s drug addiction problems do not adversely affect others’ lives.
The trouble in making a firm decision one way or the other seems to be figuring out how to give the drug-addicted family member the proper emotional support many feel they need to successfully battle addiction, without giving them the financial support they use to continue feeding their addiction.
Victor’s Experience with Drug Addiction and Narconon
When Victor arrived at Narconon, he had no family or friends to speak of. His family had cut off all communication with him as a result of his drug addiction. He hadn’t seen or talked to his children in ten or eleven years and he hadn’t spoken with his parents in eight years. He had one brother with whom he remained in communication, but that was it.
Victor felt trapped in addiction because of guilt, depression and an intense craving for drugs. He was like a hamster on a wheel, he couldn’t stop the endless cycle of drug use. After the Narconon sauna treatment, Victor felt more alive. Despite the fact that the program wasn’t easy and he often struggled at points, Victor felt like he was starting to function like a human again near the end of the program.
Prior to coming to Narconon, Victor felt he had no life at all. He felt he was an angry, miserable person who did nothing except acquire and use drugs. “Today I have a life,” Victor says. “I’m happy and I’m free. I don’t have the same things pulling me down.”
See his full story here:
While the decision whether to remain in or cut off all communication with a drug-addicted family member remains in the hands of individual relatives, Victor’s success proves that an individual can still seek and benefit from a successful rehabilitation treatment program even if they are essentially on their own in the fight against their addiction.
Sources:
http://community.babycenter.com/post/a22541255/interact_with_drug_addict_family_member