Posts tagged with ‘enabling’

Alcohol Intervention

Helping a Loved One with an Addiction

When one person is caught in addiction, they usually take several close loved ones into the swirl of pain and turmoil along with them. Families who have a dear one living in addiction usually experience a gamut of emotions. Fear, anger, guilt, concern, shame and frustration are the norm for those closest to the addicted person. However, without meaning to do so, the family who wants to help can actually wind up exhibiting behaviors that are enabling rather than helpful. It isn’t the desire to help that is missing; it is knowing how to help that is absent. Here are six ways you can help. Full Story

Alcoholism

Denial in Alcoholism

Part of the definition of alcoholism is a person’s determination to drink despite the negative consequences attached to their alcohol consumption. Why, we wonder, would a person continue in a behavior that can have so many negative consequences? One reason this happens is that the person creates an illusory existence based on denial. The person may or may not be consciously denying the true state of affairs. Full Story

Co-Occurring Addictions

Say No to Bailing Out Your Problem Gambler Spouse

What do you do when the problem gambler is your spouse? Do you bail him or her out time after time, all the while anguishing over whether this addiction will ever end? If so, it’s time for a reality check. You aren’t doing your spouse – or yourself – any favors with your constant bailouts. In fact, bailouts never work – whether it’s the federal government or a loving, caring spouse trying to bring peace to the household. Full Story

Addiction Intervention

Addiction Intervention by Stopping Enabling: A Personal Story

Twenty-four years after my last drink I still remember one of the most important elements that led me to get treatment and work my recovery. It was my dearest friends who, in effect, had a little addiction intervention.  Back in those days, formal addiciton interventions were a rare thing. Usually there were just what’s called a "12 step call" – where someone from AA would show up and talk to you about their experience, with the hope that you would hear that you were not alone and there might be a better way.

Full Story