Families and loved ones need addiction support too

Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in a persons addiction and the overwhelming drive to help them.

It can feel overwhelming to respond to a person in your family who has an addiction, whether that be to alcohol or drugs, gambling, or other behavioural addictions.

People who want support for their loved ones often focus on that person. “How can I get my son/daughter into rehab” was a common request I heard as a psychologist in alcohol and drug treatment. It can be hard to accept the voluntary nature of treatment.

Building skills and knowledge around the person and their substance can be very helpful in managing family dynamics.

It is also important to explore therapies that work for families, and to acknowlegde and seek support for yourself too.

We offer specific alcohol and drug support for family members at ePsychologists with psychologists who have significant experience in this area. Please contact us if you would like to make an appointment.