Sometimes you’re at the end of your rope and find hope in the most unlikely of places. For some families it’s Dr. Phil to intervene and for others they start right where they sit in the moment.
Recovery isn’t just a journey for the addicted individual – it is a journey the whole family goes on together. Below you will find the four steps a family can take to help a loved one from founder Brad Lamm, CIP.
The four steps to help someone you love:
Those who have complex trauma are likely to experience similar symptoms to those who have posttraumatic stress disorder, such as detachment from their surroundings, hypervigilance, and re-experiencing the traumas. However, there are some more in-depth symptoms that can develop when someone has complex trauma, including the following:
- Step 1: Craft a Circle of Change: Begin by gathering together a strategic group of family, friends and loved ones who all want what is best for your loved on. This alone is a powerful first step in an invitation to change. Then you will build a change plan together; one that offers hope, healing, support, and most importantly: love. The circle of change engages their loved one in a special family meeting, which is built around love and trust.
- Step 2: Deliver the Invitation to Change: With one voice, the circle of change presents their loved one with a carefully crafted message, an invitation to change, during the family meeting. It says we love you, things need to change, and together we will make change happen. This event is one of the most loving events in a family’s story; an opportunity to redirect the course of the family’s legacy, interrupting old beliefs, and moving towards hope and healing.
- Step 3: Champion the Change: Together you’ve designed a change plan, you’ve delivered the message, now what? Now you get to walk the walk! Each family member moves forward supporting one another on this new path. The most powerful way for new, healthy behaviors to stick is through loving support, strong boundaries, and clear communication. Change is possible.
- Step 4: Care for You: Now it is time to take care of yourself. The crisis is over, everyone is in a safe place, and you can rest, restore, and reboot your health and wellness. Get enough sleep, move your body, eat clean, drink plenty of water; avoiding sugar, sweeteners, heavily processed foods and sodas is a great way to start. Additionally, get the support you need though peer-to-peer support groups like Alanon and others.
How Can Breathe Help?
The challenge with addictions is rarely the substance itself, but our dependency on it. You feel like you have no choice any more, and that you have to continue the habit. At Breathe, our treatment programs are designed to empower you, and give you back the choice. We look at both physiological and psychological addictions, and put you back in control of both. We will teach you how to let go of the addictions that are destructive in your life.
We accomplish together what we cannot apart. Call our Admissions Team now at 800- 929-5905 to start your conversation on making change now.
