Addiction doesn’t just hurt the addict, but also everyone associated with the addicted person. Seeing your loved one in pain is as painful for the families of an addicted person as it is for the person himself/herself.
An essential part of the recovery process of a drug or alcohol addict is a proper treatment or education about the ill-effects of the addiction. While some people are able to overcome their substance-obsession by inculcating self-control, others require proper guidance. Here comes the importance of Support Groups. They are not just mere groups which help individuals overcome their problems, but they are the real heroes of an addict’s story of recovery and treatment.
In certain cases addiction might be the result of the very first intake of some drug, while in other cases it arises after a prolonged daily intake. Support groups treat each case as an individual instance and go deep into the nitty-gritties of it. They particularly pay attention to the varied targets, including siblings, parents, spouses, or other close ones of the addicted people and educate them about how they must bring about a change in their own lives to help the addicted patient. This is because, such groups believe that the ones affected due to the addicted person also face harsh realities of shame, anxiety, anger, frustration, as well as isolation at times. The stress of addiction leaves none, and demands external help to be able to successfully cope up with the problem.
The flag bearers of endurance and patience, these support groups instill change throughout the term of treatment. They keep the hope, strength as well as power to cope up with the problem alive in the patient and the family members as well. While on one hand, they provide the much needed suppleness to the otherwise tough and exhausting situation, on the other hand, they also harshly awaken the families (and make them accept the way it is) of what the actual extent of the recovery process is. Drug and alcohol recovery is no magic. The addicted person’s health may get deteriorated, and they may even lose their lives. But these support groups stand strong like a pillar with the addicts and their families, and train them to deal with every situation.
Support group sources such as the Indian chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous, The Freedom Foundation, Narcotics Anonymous (N.A.), Nicotine Anonymous, etc. have carved a niche for themselves among leading support groups in the country. The National toll free helpline launched under the National program ‘Mann ki Baat’ is a great initiative in this regard. Such groups take up as their responsibility to be ‘partners’ in the process of recovery and join the struggle of people affected. They inform, educate, support, source, advocate and care for people who are affected by the stress of having their closed ones addicted to drugs and alcohol.
A pledge to serve and aid the recovery process by preparing, educating, and strengthening the families of addicted people in ways unexplainable is the identity of such source support groups. Connection, with similar people, sharing the same situations and hardships, is the key to their functionality across the globe.
(For more info: source)
Experienced (or heard of) a similar instance with any support group? Feel free to share your experiences below!
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