Family and friends of people suffering from addiction usually display enabling behaviors. They make it easier for the addict to continue being destructive by defending them, giving them money, ignoring problems, and bailing them out of the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. While it may be well-intentioned in the beginning, enabling is definitely misguided. It only makes the situation worse for everyone involved.

Enablers can learn new skills for handling addiction in a more productive way. Making alcohol and drug abuse more difficult can lead to the addict getting help in an addiction recovery program. This is because it will be harder for them to continue on the addiction path without other people supporting it.

First, let the individual feel the consequences of the alcoholism or drug addiction. This means not giving them money to buy drugs or paying their bills because they spent all of their money on alcohol. They will just keep coming back to fund their addiction. However, if the addict has children living with them, you must also think about their needs.

Communicate about the drug and alcohol abuse, both with the addict and with family members. Encourage the addict to seek help from an addiction treatment center. Speak to them honestly, but don’t judge, nag, or become angry with them. Explain how you are no longer going to support their addiction. Try to get other people to avoid enabling, as well.

Seeking help for yourself is also a good idea. Individual and family counseling is available for people who have a loved one suffering from drug and alcohol addiction. Support groups such as Al-Anon can also be very beneficial. This will give you a different perspective on your enabling behavior. Find resources that will help convince the addict to enter a treatment program. An intervention with a trained professional may be needed if the addiction is becoming severe.

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