Drug and alcohol addiction has the ability to ruin family
life from the inside out, in addition to a number of social, economic and legal
issues. Though the impact on the individual and surrounding family differs with
each situation, the problem does not discriminate according to race, class, or
gender. In this entry, we will take a close look at some common enabling
behaviors.
Financial
Any form of drug or alcohol addiction comes with a financial
burden. Whether financial troubles stem from an inability to maintain
employment or the diminished income due to excessive use, the problem remains
the same. If an individual loses their job due to addiction, they may be
required to seek financial aid from parents, siblings and friends. Though it is
natural for loved ones to wish the addict success, continuing to bail them out
will only serve to perpetuate the cycle.
Long story short: An addict without reason to quit using
will not stop until they have one.
Silence
Some family members may enable addiction by hiding the issue
from others within the family circle. A sister who is aware of her brother’s
drug addiction but who neglects to inform her parents is enabling the abuse to
continue. Choosing to hide or ignore the issue from those who may take action
prohibits the issue from obtaining the attention in requires, but does nothing
to solve the problem.
Your family member does not need time… They need HELP.
Denial
Many types of enabling are complicit or even overt and
proactive, but denial is another characteristic of loved ones who enable
addiction. By choosing to deny or ignore the issue, family members only fan the
flames of addiction. Denial is both a trick and mechanism of the addict and/or
codependents, used to divert attention from the issue at hand.
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