Detachment: A Strategy for Friends and Family of Adult Addicts

For every adult who struggles with addiction, there are many affected by its destruction. Family, co-workers, and friends are among those who become witnesses to the downward spiral of self-destructive behavior. Attempts to fix a friend or loved one experiencing addiction become increasingly frustrating as the chaos becomes a part of daily life. When you are affected by someone else’s drinking or drug use, it is important to remember that even though you cannot prevent what’s happening to them, you can regain your sanity by practicing detachment. What is detachment? Detachment is when you let other people experience their consequences instead of taking responsibility for them. This is a key component of the recovery process for family and friends of addicts. Redirecting focus away from an addict’s negative behaviors can restore the balance of the relationship dynamics, as well as re-start self-care. Of course, detachment doesn’t mean that you stop caring. The popular phrase is “to detach with love” promotes loving the person, even when you don’t approve of the behavior. Detaching means that you lovingly let go of solving the problems associated with the addiction. When a person experiencing addiction misses work, neglects his or her responsibilities, or does something like crashing the car, let them handle it. This invites the addict to take responsibility for his or her own mistakes and take control of his or her own life. The central premise of detachme...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Addiction Alcoholism Family Habits Holiday Coping Recovery Substance Abuse Coping Skills Detachment Source Type: blogs