One of the problems with drug addiction is that it not only affects the addicted individual, but entire groups of people around that individual. And sometimes, the nature of the drug is that the addiction itself can seem to spread to those nearby. When this happens, what you are left with is an extremely toxic and concerning situation, and one that might feel impossible to extricate yourself from.
If you find yourself in a family where you are surrounded by drug addicts, you might wonder whether you should disown them. But the feelings here are complex and it’s hard to know what to do. Let’s consider this situation for a moment.
Putting Yourself First
First of all, the main thing to remember is that you need to put yourself first. As long as you are happy and willing to do that, you should find that this enables you to do the right thing – which is not always easy to do, of course. In the course of putting yourself first, it might well become clear that you need to move away from your drug addicted family – or just that you need to help them get help. Ultimately, doing what is right for you is what you should focus on most of all.
Getting Them Help
However, that doesn’t mean that you should simply turn your back on them immediately. If you think the other people in your family might need some help, it’s a good idea to try and get it. The first step is to talk to them, which is also often the most difficult step (and you should ensure you do it in a way where you are kept safe, if possible). After that, you could direct them towards resources where they might be able to find help, such as the Findlay® Recovery Center. It’s then up to them whether they go through with it or not, and get the treatment they need.
Knowing When To Turn Away
One of the more difficult elements in all of this is knowing when you should turn away to focus on yourself more, and when you should stick with them. If you are struggling with this, then you might want to think about seeking out some counseling yourself, as doing that could help you to realize what it is that you need to do and how you can look after yourself better. In general, this is going to mean that you are taking care of yourself as necessary, in a difficult situation.
Retaining Compassion
If you can do all that and still retain your sense of compassion for your loved ones, then you have done very well indeed. Though it is hard, try to remember they are just flawed people who still deserve love and care. One way to show them that is to give them the number of a recovery center where they might be able to get the help they need. All being well, this will be one of the quickest ways to get them back to you.
