Learn How Some People Respond To Addictions
March 11, 2010 in Kids and Teens by pgesystems
Our lives are filled with situations that challenge our family members or friends. There are a variety of addictions that may be physical, emotional or mental. We seem to handle physical challenges better than we do others during our life.
People deal with pain and stress in the form of mental anguish or emotional torture. Some people constantly search for ways to remove the pain. Suffering is treated with furious exercise, a relaxing hand massager, or prescription drugs.
One couple tried to quit smoking for years. They made a list of things they do that did not accommodate their habit. They noticed that it is difficult to smoke when you are doing latch hook or preparing a meal. They signed up for private cooking classes offered in their community.
There is less alcohol in their home now. They have found ways to substitute healthy habits for bad ones and the lesson is that each person needs to find a way that is comfortable.
People can find joy in looking back over their lives. Music from different years, turning the pages in their scrapbook album or enjoying family movies together can be therapeutic. They recognize challenges the family has shared and how they may have salvaged a life.
We talk openly about major diseases that are common to many families. We share our stories of treatments and support. We attend support groups, participate in online forums and join discussions on websites.
When it comes to dependence issues we tend to be quiet. It makes sense to me that people want to deal with these matters privately but the truth is that we need to be more open. Losing a family member to something like a meth addition is devastating.
Meth is a highly addictive drug that takes over the life of someone who is loved. The person you knew has utterly disappeared and you feel an all consuming loss. Some people would prefer their loved one had a disease instead because that would be easier to treat and talk about.
It is common knowledge that a basic pillar of addiction treatment programs that work is an acknowledgement of a Christian God that equals love. People who conquer their dependency and return to the real world often testify to the helpfulness of love and faith.
At some point in our life we will be affected by addictive behavior or dependency problems. We must accept the situation and talk openly and honestly about it. How we do this may differ from family to family but should always use an approach that includes unconditional love.
We can achieve success by increasing our power to prevail over the problem. This can be accomplished by working with others to increase our mental and emotional strengths. Extending cooperation to others confronted with these issues is just as important as reaching the afflicted person.