One of that hardest moments when you are the friend or loved one of someone struggling with an addiction is when the addict person refuses to get help or admit that they have a drug or alcohol addiction, even if their friends or loved ones are offering to help get them into treatment. This can be hurtful, shocking and heartbreaking to their loved ones; if the biggest obstacle to getting help is removed, why won’t they go? This hurt often leads to extreme anger and disagreement between the addicted and their loved ones. By refusing to get help for their problem, the addicted sends a message to their loved ones that they choose their addiction over their family and friends, and to the loved ones, this can be a hard pill to swallow, especially if this isn’t the first time they’ve tried to get help for their family member.
Many people wonder whether or not they should even keep friendly ties with the person struggling with addiction if they refuse to get help. People struggling with addiction can cause excessive stress and frustration for the people in their lives as they spiral further and further down, and if they refuse to get the help they need, it’s often the straw that breaks their family’s back. No two cases of addiction are the same, and neither are any two people or their families. There’s no textbook definition of situations where it’s best to cut ties with family or friends with addiction, but there are times where you’ll have to decide for yourself.
Unfortunately, that’s what it boils down to. Unless you’re the parent of a minor, you can’t force anyone to go to treatment and participate. They have to want it for themselves and decide for themselves that they want a sober life. In the same school of thought, you have to decide for yourself whether or not this person is becoming too negative of an influence either on you or your family. If a person is regularly angry, violent or constantly stealing to fuel a drug or alcohol problem, it may be time to stop contacting that person or inviting them over, but at the end of the day, only you and your family can decide what’s right.
At The Springboard Center, we know that you and your family need a treatment provider you can trust. Incorporating the best of practices we have created a meaningful program to restore health and dignity with quality care and counseling. Call us today for information on how we are serving the Permian Basin: (432) 620-0255
