How to Handle It When a Loved One Relapses After Getting Sober
Addiction is a family disease, and that doesn’t just mean that it has a genetic component—it means that one person with addiction affects everyone close to them. It’s important for you to get help, because otherwise, loving an addict can become an addiction in itself. I learned that at Al-Anon (I’m what members call a “double winner”), a 12-step group for people who are affected by someone’s substance use.
Al-Anon is a great resource for learning about self-care and setting boundaries. It helps you extricate yourself from the roller coaster ride of the addict’s struggle, and paradoxically, by creating distance and working on yourself, you can be a beacon in their recovery.
“Don’t bend over backward trying to fix them,” said Erica Caparelli, a social worker and psychotherapist. “The hope is they will find their way when it’s time. All you can do is support them in their journey.
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