| Alcohol and Drug addiction has a devastating effect | | | | triggers and increase the odds of the addict staying |
| not only on the individual addict but on the entire family | | | | clean for a longer time: |
| as well. It has been proven time and again that | | | | If the occasion calls for alcohol to be served, inform |
| successfully overcoming addiction to alcohol and drugs | | | | the recovering alcoholic in advance of the various |
| requires the collaborative effort of the whole family | | | | non-alcoholic beverages that he can choose from. |
| and all those who are directly affected. | | | | Avoid serving any dishes that contain alcohol. |
| Residential rehab programs offer addicts various | | | | Steer clear of pubs and former favorite hanging-out |
| programs that are especially designed to alleviate the | | | | venues. |
| pain of withdrawal symptoms and to provide | | | | Do not keep any alcohol or alcoholic products within |
| constructive outlets for their various addictive urges. | | | | easy reach; preferably do not keep any in the house |
| One of the biggest set backs to long term relapse | | | | at all. |
| prevention is the temptation to resort to old habits | | | | Do not be obsessive or continuously nag your spouse |
| once the recovered addict leaves the structured | | | | about the use of alcohol. |
| environment of the rehab program and re-enters his | | | | Be supportive of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and |
| old surroundings. Family and spousal support is | | | | make sure your spouse attends all the meetings. |
| paramount during this phase of relapse prevention. In | | | | Make it a point to keep all doctor's appointments and |
| the absence of a solid support system, the former | | | | do not give up on the therapy, no matter how |
| addict will most likely slip back into addiction. | | | | frustrating and tiring it may be. |
| Addiction is a Family Ailment | | | | Try and keep to your former routines as much as |
| Alcoholism is considered as a family disease in medical | | | | possible, they provide the recovering addict with |
| circles and in the community as large. The families of | | | | much-needed stability. |
| alcohol addicts are directly affected by the alcoholism | | | | Do not harbor resentment or ill feelings for damage |
| either due to abuse, neglect or sheer embarrassment | | | | done or hurt caused during the addictive phase. Letting |
| of the alcoholic's behavior. They are constantly trying | | | | it go and learning to forgive and forget hastens the |
| to gauge the alcoholic's mood and try their best to | | | | healing process. |
| alter their behaviors in an effort to control the amount | | | | Recovering from addiction is a complex process. |
| of alcohol that the addict may imbibe. | | | | Expect set-backs along the way and try not to hold it |
| If a family party acts as an incentive to encourage | | | | against the person who is also facing an uphill battle in |
| drinking, they would rather forego the party and cancel | | | | his struggle against addiction. |
| all plans rather than run the risk of initiating another | | | | Make sure that one addiction is not replaced by |
| alcoholic binge. While many wives try their best to be | | | | another. |
| supportive and non-critical of their partner's addiction, | | | | Watch for changes in behavioral patterns. Signs of |
| even a supposed slight is enough for the addict to | | | | unexplained depression, anger or anxiety could be |
| relapse into alcoholism. | | | | silent signals that the recovering addict may relapse |
| Role of Family in Relapse Prevention | | | | into addiction. |
| Living with a recovering alcohol addict is tough on their | | | | Do not let the recovering addict stop medications |
| families who constantly feel like they are walking on | | | | without the doctor's advice. |
| eggshells. They have to measure everything they do, | | | | Remember that addiction is nobody's fault. It is an |
| think about where they go and censor what they eat | | | | ailment much like other medical conditions and the |
| at family meal times. | | | | addict should not be blamed or personally faulted. |
| Studies show there are 17 common triggers that can | | | | Unnecessary blame and criticism can only provoke the |
| compromise an alcohol addict's journey to recovery. | | | | victim into relapse and does nothing to help recovery. |
| Observing these few rules will help pre-empt these | | | | |