Family Resource Guide for Addiction Treatment in Atlanta, GA

Social Signs

• Withdrawal from Social Activities: Isolating oneself from family and friends or losing interest in activities once enjoyed.
• Relationship Problems: Frequent conflicts and trouble maintaining relationships due to substance use.

Cognitive Signs

• Neglect of Responsibilities: Failing to meet obligations at work, school, or home.
• Compulsive Use: Taking risks or engaging in dangerous behavior while under the influence.

Physical Signs

• Changes in Appearance: Neglecting personal hygiene, sudden weight loss or gain, or unusual body odors.
• Health Problems: Frequent illnesses, fatigue, or changes in sleep patterns.
• Withdrawal Symptoms: Experiencing symptoms like nausea, sweating, shaking, or anxiety when not using the substance.

Emotional Signs

• Mood Swings: Experiencing extreme changes in mood, irritability, or emotional instability.
• Anxiety or Depression: Increased levels of anxiety or depressive symptoms when not using the substance.

Minimization of Use

• Claiming that their drug or alcohol use is not a problem and downplaying the frequency or quantity of their consumption.
• Saying things like “I only drink on weekends” or “I only use it to relax.”

Justification

• Rationalizing their drug use by attributing it to stress, social situations, or external circumstances.
• Believing that it is a temporary phase that does not indicate a larger issue.

Defensiveness

• Becoming angry or defensive when confronted about their substance use.
• Rejecting concerns from friends and family, often responding with hostility.

Denial of Consequences

• Ignoring or dismissing negative impacts of their substance use, such as job loss, legal issues, or health problems.
• Failing to acknowledge the emotional or relational distress it may be causing.

Avoiding Discussion

• Steering conversations away from the topic of their substance use or being evasive when asked about it.

Consider Individual Therapy

Family members may benefit from seeing a therapist who specializes inaddiction and family dynamics. This can help them process their feelings and learn coping strategies.

Consider Family Therapy

A family therapist can work with the entire family to help improve communication, address issues regarding the addiction, and support healing within the family unit.

Acknowledge their feelings and listen

Listen openly, actively, and without judgement.

Offer to help

Provide reassurance that mental and/or substance abuse disorders are treatable. Help them locate and connect to treatment services.

Identify an appriopriate time and place

Consider a private setting with limited distractions, such as at home or on a walk.

Express concerns and be direct

Ask how they are feeling and describe the reasons for your concern.

Remember Mental Health And Substance Abuse Disorders Are Treatable

People can, and do, recover. Family support can make all the difference.

Show Compassion

Your patience and understanding can make all the difference for a loved one during this hard time.

Be Open

Discuss your family history of drug and alcohol use or mental illness if relevant. It may help your loved one feel less alone.

Be Sure To Care For Yourself Too

Being a caregiver can be highly stressful and emotionally draining. You are doing great.

Seek Support

Research recovery and treatment centers like Inner Voyage that fit your loved one and family’s needs best.

Talk To Your Loved One

Express your concern and tell them that you’re there to help. Create a judgement-free and loving environment to foster conversation and openess.

Phases of Relapse:

• Emotional Relapse: This is an initial phase where individuals may not be actively using substances but start engaging in unhealthy behaviors, such as neglecting self-care, isolating from support networks, or experiencing stress and negative emotions. At this stage, they may deny their feelings or avoid discussing their struggles.
• Mental Relapse: In this phase, thoughts about using substances start to become more prevalent. The individual may romanticize past substance use, plan out scenarios of using again, or engage in a mental struggle between wanting to stay sober and wanting to use.
• Physical Relapse: This phase is when the individual actually begins using drugs or alcohol again after a period of abstinence. This is the culmination of emotional and mental relapse.

Triggers:

• Environmental Triggers: Being in places where substance use occurred or being around people who use drugs.
• Emotional Triggers: Experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or other strong emotions may trigger cravings for substances.
• Social Triggers: Social events that involve substance use or peer pressure can increase the risk of relapse.

Risk Factors

• Lack of Support: A weak support system or feeling isolated can lead to a greater risk of relapse. Unresolved Emotional Issues: Traumas or underlying mental health conditions that have not been addressed can lead to increased vulnerability. Poor Coping Skills: Difficulty coping with stress or cravings may lead to a return to substance use.
• Unresolved Emotional Issues: Traumas or underlying mental health conditions that have not been addressed can lead to increased vulnerability.
• Poor Coping Skills: Difficulty coping with stress or cravings may lead to a return to substance use.

Prevention Strategies

• Building a Support Network: Engaging with friends, family, support groups, or counselors can provide encouragement and accountability.
• Developing Coping Mechanisms: Learning healthier coping strategies for managing stress and emotions can reduce the risk of relapse.
• Identifying Triggers: Recognizing personal triggers and developing strategies to deal with them can help individuals avoid relapse situations.
• Building a Support Network: Engaging with friends, family, support groups, or counselors can provide encouragement and accountability. Developing Coping Mechanisms: Learning healthier coping strategies for managing stress and emotions can reduce the risk of relapse. Identifying Triggers: Recognizing personal triggers and developing strategies to deal with them can help individuals avoid relapse situations. Continuing Treatment: Ongoing therapy or support groups can help maintain sobriety.

It’s important to note that relapse can be a common part of the recovery process for many individuals, and experiencing a relapse does not mean failure. Many people learn from their relapse experiences and make adjustments in their treatment approach.