Entering into the realm of trying help a loved one battle addiction can be an arduous, lengthy, and at times, debilitating role to play. Families tend to fall into categories with respect to the level of involvement they play in their loved one’s recovery process. On one end of the spectrum is the hyper-helicopter parent who insists that they micromanage the recovery of the afflicted individual. On the other end of the spectrum is where parents and families tend to take a “hands off” approach to supporting, or more appropriately stated, not supporting the plight of the recovering addict. It’s reasonable to assume that most families fall somewhere between these two polarities in regard to how they approach support. While it could be argued that these dichotomies, and all positions falling within this spectrum, have their utility. On one hand, addicts need accountability and monitoring due to the impulsive nature of the addicted mental state within the first 6 months to a year. On the other hand, if we don’t allow the recovering addict to discover their own potential and begin to enact their autonomy and independence, we can run the risk of the suffering addict becoming dependent on external measures of accountability. This lack of the ability to foster a sense of empowerment can stop a progressing addict in their tracks. While we could discuss endlessly the benefits of each approach to supporting loved ones in recovery, I want to identify the benefits of utilizing addiction professionals outside the setting of a drug and alcohol treatment facility.
First off, let’s take an honest look at what we as family members must accept as necessary sacrifices if we choose to take this route of support. The first step that is typically necessary is some form of confrontation whereby the family states that they are concerned and that they would like the suffering addict to get help. This is the intervention phase and it is an approach that, if taken on solely by the family, can have disastrous implications and consequences. The addict and their families, as do all families, have often unhealthy dynamics that were established within the familial structure that often create a barrier to the addict receiving their message from and understanding perspective. Often times the addict can become irate, unreasonable, and combative. The dynamics underlying the family structure will be determining factors in how the suffering addict responds to the call for healing from their families; this coupled with the fact that the addict will do just about anything to maintain their lifestyle that is being held together by a rickety foundation of drug and alcohol dependence creates a familial powder keg that can explode at any given moment. In sum, after a careful cost/benefit analysis, we can see that taking on the responsibility of intervention as opposed to utilizing professionals is an uninformed, yet completely fixable problem. Aside from alleviating oneself from the duties and responsibilities of what would be better addressed by addiction professionals, we can also look at what is gained by the family when the decision is made to seek out help. Externalizing the duties of intervention, monitoring, case management and accountability leaves the family free to provide support in the most effective way that they can. As we discussed earlier, addicts in early recovery can be impulsive and often emotionally unpredictable and this is why Hired Power’s services become so invaluable in order to help the addict while ensuring the familial relationship stays intact. The family, after choosing this route, can be freed up to have authentic and meaningful conversations with their loved one without being perceived as the arbiter of punitive punishment. It cannot be stressed enough that the alleviation of these responsibilities from the family allows for genuine connection whereby the addict can more easily accept the love and compassion that the family members have for their loved one. As anyone who has been a family member of an addict knows, attempting to take this care solely on their shoulders can, very quickly, become emotionally draining and often creates more discord amongst other members within the family.
Hired Power also offers services to help the addict and their family as they progress further through recovery and sobriety. Getting sober is a much more than simply ceasing the use of drugs and alcohol. Typically, there are a myriad of other issues that need to be addressed during these initial phases of healing; these can range from the need for legal services, psychotherapeutic services, financial aid, and educational services when necessary. Hired Power’s Recovery Care Management services provide the ongoing guidance and direction that is needed to ensure the recovering addict has the greatest chance at long term sobriety and personal evolution. Finally, Hired Power also offers a service called Safe Transport which is a ride service that is operated by addiction professional who are able to understand the triggers associated with early recovery. Recovering individuals are faced with many tests early on whether that is having to be entrusted with medication, getting to 12-step meetings, making medical and psychiatric appointments, and a myriad of other “activities” that would best be done in a monitored setting. Hired Power, identifying these potential problems for families, has created a program where professionals make it their goal to provide individuals and their families with much needed support and assistance in order to make their loved ones transition as smooth as possible. While we are forced to sacrifice some control and oversight, what we gain in return from the utilization of services provided by Hired Power is invaluable as it allows freedom for the recovering addict to flourish while reintegrating themselves back into the family structure which predicts long term success in recovery.
Hired Power has the experience, expertise and supportive environment to help you achieve lasting recovery. We’re here to help you every step of the way. Call us today: (714) 559-3919.