It’s not uncommon for people struggling with alcohol and drug addiction to reach out for human comfort and support. Many understand that their affliction holds them back from the clean, sober life they’ll enjoy living.
But the people in your orbit may not necessarily be providing the best support. Those in your circle may have your best interest at heart, but they inadvertently become a counterproductive addiction-enabling prop. That’s why the compassionate professionals at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida want you to understand the signs of drug-enabling behaviors. If you’re ready to seek treatment, please contact our team today by calling 866.294.5306 or using our convenient contact form.
What is the Difference Between Drug Enabling and Empowerment?
A fine line exists between the words “enabling” and “empowering.” The first tends to have a negative connotation, while the latter a positive one. When we look a drug addiction enabling versus empowerment, it’s easy to see how enabling behaviors drive drug and alcohol abuse. Good people who have slipped into drug addiction may have enablers around them and not even realize it. It may be worthwhile to look for telltale signs of addiction enabling, such as:
Ignore or Tolerate Drug Addiction
A friend or loved one may look the other way about your drug addiction. This trait may not be malicious in nature. Sometimes, good people cannot cope with the situation and choose to pretend you don’t have a problem. If someone avoids talking about the subject or disappears when they believe you are using drugs, they may be engaged in drug-enabling behavior.
Financial Support
When a friend or a loved one gives you money knowing you could buy drugs, they are not putting your best interests first. This type of addiction enabling can result from that person making a choice. They prefer to alleviate the situation by giving a struggling person short-term relief. The major problem is they may not care enough to motivate you to enter a detox facility and get the long-term empowerment you need.
Excusing Drug Addiction
Some enablers conjure up excuses. They may tell people you’re not struggling with drug addiction. Excuses may include one-time indulgence, or you are just getting relief after a tough day. Kick the can down the road enabling can result in people not getting the treatment and care they need.
Carrying Excessive Workload
Some well-meaning enablers take on the afflicted person’s workload and responsibilities. Examples may include doing the bulk or all of the household chores. This type of drug-enabling behavior tends to prevalent among parents who cannot process the fact their child suffers from drug addiction.
Outright Denial
Perhaps the most debilitating type of enabling is the loved one who states that someone doesn’t even use drugs emphatically. Taking that position is often a defense against their personal embarrassment. The social stigma of a drug-addicted family member outweighs transparency and solutions such as detox and out-patient care.
It’s essential to understand that drug-enabling behavior from friends and family members may be due to their inability to handle someone else’s addiction. Enablers often do not mean any harm, but they lack the strength to empower you to make positive change. The first step to empowerment is everyone admitting drug addiction is a problem.
Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
Our valued community members need to understand that many enablers invest their self-esteem in helping others get through the day. Confronting drug addiction can be a psychological setback for enablers because those seemingly calm waters are disrupted. But empowerment starts by supporting a friend or loved one suffering under the yolk of drug addiction to get treatment. If you or a loved one is suffering, gain empowerment by calling Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306, or contact us online today.