How to Break the Pattern of Love Addiction

It’s not uncommon to idolize romantic partners by putting them on a pedestal. But in the case of love addiction, you may fall head-over-heels to your partner’s detriment. It’s crucial to understand how to break the pattern of love addiction, especially when it involves a partner who is emotionally unresponsive or abusive. 

Love addiction is an attachment disorder. It can cause emotional issues, contribute to the breakdown of a relationship, and result in compulsive behaviors. 

Common Causes of Love Addiction

People with love addiction often find themselves in unstable relationships, which are sometimes toxic or abusive. Unfortunately, when you have love addiction, it can feel like you’re in a fog. You may not be able to identify the dangers that come with such relationships. 

Factors that may contribute to love addiction:

• Low Self-Esteem. Many people with low self-esteem believe that someone else supplies their needs and wants. This belief can contribute to love addiction by becoming overly reliant on your partner for happiness. 
• Traumatic Experiences and Childhood Trauma. Those with love addiction might not be emotionally capable of loving someone because of unresolved trauma. 
• Unstable Childhood Attachments. If you’ve experienced abandonment wounds from your childhood, then you may crave love. That unmet longing drives your relationships.
• Neglect. When challenged with their attachment wounds, people with love addiction cling to their relationships because they fear abandonment. 

Identifying the Pattern of Love Addiction

To break the pattern of love addiction, it’s crucial to understand the common patterns of love-addicted relationships. When you succumb to the harmful behaviors associated with love addiction, you lose control and give power to someone else. These patterns can become the foundation of the relationship. 

Patterns of love addiction:

• Attraction Creates Intensity and Fantasy. Those with love addiction often have a fantasy of being rescued. It’s as if the person you desire is the only one in the universe who has the power to take away your pain and make you feel safe, valued, and worthy.
• Increased Connection Leads to Relief. The partner with love addiction becomes enamored with a fantasy. They are blind to flaws in the relationship and their partner.
• Partner’s Withdraw Triggers Neediness and Obsessive Behavior. Sensing their partner’s neediness and insecurity, the avoidant partner starts to resent the relationship. When the avoidant partner pulls away, the partner with love addiction fears abandonment and clings more tightly.
• Acts Out to Get Attention. The partner with love addiction is still holding tight to a fantasy that their partner is perfect or is “going to change.” This belief can be true despite the avoidant partner distancing themself further.
• Partner Returns for Connection. Eventually, the partner with love addiction may recognize their partner’s bad behavior. But because they feel shame about their own behavior, may apologize and return to the fantasy that everything will work out. 
• Cycle Repeats. If the partner with love addiction ends the relationship, it’s not uncommon for the avoidant partner do a complete 180 and fight to get the relationship back.

How to Break the Pattern of Love Addiction

Like with any addiction, learning how to break the pattern of love addiction can be challenging. You may experience feelings of withdrawal. With help, you can break the pattern and go on to form truly fulfilling and close intimate relationships. 

Acknowledge the Addiction 

The first step in breaking the pattern is to recognize it. Denial is the main psychological issue with addiction. 

To accept reality:

• Accept that your relationship is unhealthy
• Acknowledge that getting back into the relationship will not solve your problems
• Stop convincing yourself it will be “different” next time
• Accept that the relationship is over
• Stop believing the avoidant partner can be someone different
• Let go of the fantasy you created

Invest in Healthy Relationships 

Having a community of support when recovering from an addiction is key. Yet perhaps the most crucial part of the healing process is prioritizing your relationship with yourself. Take care of yourself by doing fun leisure activities, exercising, eating healthy, and surrounding yourself with people who love you. Focus on self-care to enhance the healing process. 

Learn About Love Addiction

Knowledge is power. Educate yourself about love addiction. Seek to understand why your idea of love consumes you. A therapist can help you overcome your love addiction and discover new, healthy ways of coping.

Abstain from New Relationships for a Period 

Once you start working toward healing, it’s a good idea to abstain from forming a new romantic relationship. You need to heal yourself first. Find satisfaction within yourself versus in another person. Having a partner doesn’t make you complete. You can find meaning, security, and power within yourself in time.

Develop Awareness of Your Triggers

If you focus on your obsession with your former partner, you will feel miserable. When you see a reminder of them, use it as an opportunity to rid yourself of it. Delete their telephone number, remove photos, and store away gifts. Seeing reminders of your former partner will cause more harm than good. What you focus on expands. Choose positivity! 

Become Grounded in the Present

It can be easy to get caught in your head. Notice when thoughts about the past or future start to creep in. Grounding yourself in the here-and-now can help you get some space from these thoughts and alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression. Stop what you’re doing and focus on what you’re hearing, seeing, and feeling in the present moment.

Address Co-Occurring Addictions

About a third of people with mental health disorders and nearly half of those with severe mental illness have addiction, meaning they have co-occurring disorders. When you have more than one disorder, you need treatment for each of them to become healthy. They often exacerbate each other. Getting treatment for one disorder – and not the others – won’t resolve the issues.

Get Professional Support 

Overcoming love addiction on your own can be challenging. It’s best to seek professional help. Treatment will help you identify the causes of your love addiction, learn what triggers your behaviors, and teach you how to cope with any unhealthy thoughts or feelings. 

How ILC Can Help

The first step in learning how to break the pattern of love addiction is acknowledging you have it. Once you recognize you have an issue, you can seek help and start your recovery. Contact ILC today to learn about program options to help you recover from love addiction.

The post How to Break the Pattern of Love Addiction appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

source https://integrativelifecenter.com/how-to-break-the-pattern-of-love-addiction/

Seeking Mental Health Treatment

Many people will not seek mental health treatment due to the stigma surrounding mental illnesses. Seeking help is the first step to recovery and regaining a sense of control of your life. Asking for help is nothing to be ashamed of. If you’re unsure where to turn, below is information you need to know about seeking the mental health treatment that is right for you.

When to Seek Mental Health Treatment

Recognizing symptoms and knowing when to seek mental health treatment can be difficult. But if you think you may be experiencing a mental health issue, it’s recommended to seek advice from a professional and it’s always best to ask for help as soon as possible.

You should seek mental health treatment if:

• You feel out of control of your emotions
• You experience trauma or have unresolved trauma in your past
• You’re using substances that are negatively impacting your life
• You no longer feel pleasure from your favorite pastimes
• You have low or no energy
• You are confused and unsure of the right direction for your life
• You feel hopeless about life
• You have suicidal thoughts

Richard Pelfrey, Director of Program Development and Implementation for Integrative Life Network, says people often seek mental health treatment when they feel disconnected. He explains: 

“Disconnection could take many different forms or outward appearances, including isolation, decreased inability or willingness to complete self-care activities, numbing or escaping through external substances and processes, and loss of interest or ability to fulfill responsibilities. It’s a disconnection not just from life obligations, but from ourselves, other people, and the natural world around us.”

Mental health treatment can help people re-establish their connections to themselves and others, Pelfrey said. 

Benefits of Seeking Mental Health Treatment

Looking after your mental health is important. Living with a mental health disorder can harm your quality of life, social relationships, and even physical health. But seeking mental health treatment can make things much more manageable.

Benefits of mental health treatment include:

• Improved quality of life
• Healthier relationships
• Improved performance at school and work
• Reduced chance of developing co-occurring disorders
• Reduced risk of physical health issues
• Encouragement and support 

Types of Mental Health Treatment

Another barrier to seeking mental health treatment for many is not knowing what treatments are available. There are various treatments for mental health disorders. And no particular treatment works best for everyone. 

The recommended treatment will depend on your mental health diagnosis. For example, depression treatment is different from anxiety treatment. It also depends on the severity of your disorder and your individual needs. It’s up to you and your care professionals to figure out the best treatment plan for you.

Types of mental health treatment available include: 

• Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is one of the most common treatments for mental health disorders. Therapeutic treatments let you explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors by talking to a professional. These therapies include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
• Prescription Medication. Medicine is not a cure for mental health disorders, but it can help with the management of symptoms. 
• Support Groups. Talking to others who are going through a similar experience can provide support, friendship, and information. Support groups help counter the stigma and address the feelings of isolation that mental illness can bring.
• Experiential Therapy. Counselors use experiential therapies in addition to your standard treatment plan. These can include physical activities such as yoga and exercise and creative outlets including music, art, and writing.
• TMS Therapy. Trancranial Magnetic Stimulation is a non-pharmalogical approach to treating Major Depressive Disorder.
• Hospitalization. Hospitalization occurs in a minority of cases. Hospitalization only happens if you are in danger of harming yourself or others. It allows doctors to monitor you closely. 
• Self Help Plan. You can implement some wellness strategies yourself at home. These strategies involve identifying your self-care needs and changing habits accordingly.

How to Encourage Someone to Seek Treatment 

People often are reluctant to seek mental health treatment because of fear driven by stigma, Pelfrey said. He states that they want to “just be normal,” and many people think having a problem that requires a respite from daily life indicates abnormality, weakness, or brokenness.

“The thought of making one’s problems official brings the prospect of the debilitating shame associated with needing help in our culture,” Pelfrey said.

If you are worried about a loved one, you can take the first step and talk to them.

To help someone in this situation:

• Try to reduce the stigma.
• Let them know you hear them
• Allow them to share as much or as little as they want
• Listen without making judgments.
• Don’t diagnose or make assumptions.
• Validate their feelings
• Suggest seeking professional help
• Offer help-seeking support and treatment.

When encouraging a loved one to seek mental health treatment, try to use invitational language rather than forceful. Say, “I love you, and I think you would benefit from seeking help” rather than “You need help, accept it or else…”

Similarly, accepting a person’s refusal rather than resisting it through argument or force leaves the invitation open. This way, your loved one may be more willing to accept help when they start to feel as though they need it. 

“It’s OK and sometimes necessary for loved ones to acknowledge their own woundedness incurred through the desperation of watching a person suffer with mental health issues,” Pelfrey notes. 

If a loved one has a mental health disorder, it’s OK to seek help of your own too. Information, advice, and support are available for everyone.

In the end, remember that it’s up to an individual whether they choose to seek mental health treatment. You can’t force them. But you can offer encouragement and support.

Treatment at Integrative Life Center

At ILC, the first step in mental health treatment is helping our patients acknowledge that they have been wounded at no fault of their own.

“Many times, we’re able to soothe the stigma-driven shame of a person at the beginning of their healing journey through compassion and empathy,” Pelfrey said.There is no shame in seeking help. If you or a loved one are experiencing mental health concerns, contact Integrative Life Center to find out what treatment options are best for you.

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How Child Abuse Changes the Brain

The trauma of child abuse can result in changes in the brain during a period of life that’s critical for development. These changes are significant enough to have physical, emotional, and psychological effects that can last into adulthood. 

If you experienced abuse or neglect as a child, your brain might have become wired for fear, anxiety, and stress. And disorders such as anxiety, depression, or addiction can surface later in life. But recovery from the emotional aftermath of child abuse is possible with the right support and treatment.

Types of Abuse Children Experience

Abuse and neglect are two of the most common Adverse Childhood Experiences, which are traumatic experiences that happen before the age of 18. Experts estimate that 14% to 43% of children experience at least one traumatic event. These experiences harm a child’s physical and mental health and create issues that last into adulthood.

Examples of childhood abuse include:

• Neglect. When caregivers don’t meet a child’s physical, emotional, and social needs. Failing to ensure a safe and healthy upbringing.
• Physical Abuse. Non-accidental physical harm caused by hitting, punching, kicking, shaking, beating, burning, or throwing. 
• Emotional Abuse. Causing intentional emotional pain and distress through threats, insults, humiliation, rejection, and inciting fear.
• Sexual Abuse. Any sexual contact with a child, such as inappropriate touch, sexual acts, or rape.

Child abuse often occurs repeatedly and can involve more than one type. It’s a method of asserting power and control over a minor.

How Child Abuse Changes the Brain

Childhood is a pivotal time for brain development. Neurological growth is an even more vital and complex process than physical growth for children. But traumatic experiences such as abuse and neglect can disrupt this development. Many scientific studies have shown that childhood abuse can result in significant changes in brain structure.

Ways in which child abuse changes the brain:

• Decreases the Corpus Callosum. This pathway transmits messages between the two hemispheres of the brain. The corpus callosum is critical to motor coordination, cognitive performance, and social skills.
• Decreases the Hippocampus. The hippocampus is the part of the brain used for learning and memory. It also plays a part in conflict processing and emotional regulation.
• Causes Overactivity in the Amygdala. The amygdala processes emotions and determines responses to stressful or dangerous situations. 
• Causes Dysfunction in the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis. The HPA plays a central role in stress response.
• Creates Less Volume in the Prefrontal Cortex. The prefrontal cortex affects behavior, perception, emotional balance, and social regulation.
• Reduces the Volume of the Cerebellum. This part of the brain controls motor skills and coordination.

In short, child abuse affects how a child learns to respond to situations. It also can negatively impact their ability to grow and learn.

The Impact of Child Abuse

So what exactly do these neurological changes mean for children? The different parts of the brain interact in complex ways. And any changes in their structure or function can significantly impact emotions, behavior, and social function.

Potential effects of child abuse and brain changes include:

• Hyperarousal and Hypervigilance. Being unable to relax. Always alert, no matter what the situation. 
• Excessive and Constant Fear. Struggling to differentiate between danger and safety. Constantly on the lookout for potential threats. More emotionally reactive, even to seemingly harmless situations.
• Challenged by Social Situations. Difficulties relating to other people and reading social cues.
• Attachment Difficulties. Inability to form healthy relationships. Struggling to trust other people or becoming too dependent on others’ approval.
• Learning Difficulties. Abuse can lead to diminished executive functioning. Poor memory and cognitive flexibility can reduce academic and professional performance.
• Delays in Developmental Milestones. Children who experience abuse often reach developmental milestones later, including those related to motor skills and language ability.
• Low Self-Worth and Self-Esteem. Children often blame themselves for abuse. This self-blame may lead to ongoing feelings of shame and guilt. 
• Development of Mental Health Disorders. There’s a significant link between child abuse and the development of mental health disorders. Common disorders associated with abuse include social anxiety, depression, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
• Unresponsive to Positive Feedback. Child abuse can lead to difficulty with reward processing. This response can interfere with motivation.
• Altered Sensory Experiences. Physical and sexual abuse can alter physical sensations and perceptions. Can also cause changes in pain threshold, particularly in areas of the body affected by abuse.

Carmen Dominguez, Executive Director of Clinical Programming at Integrative Life Center, said, after experiencing abuse, the unconscious brain creates a pattern of fear that becomes a rule for how a child functions throughout their life. These unconscious patterns “continue to shape the perceptions and responses of the brain to new relational experiences,” she said. It becomes difficult for children to learn, adapt, or grow from new or different experiences.

Carmen explains that child abuse causes “a sense of unworthiness and a lack of connection to one’s inherent worth.” It can result in co-dependency because of a preoccupation with external validation. 

“Trauma compromises a person’s ability to engage with others by replacing patterns of connections with patterns of protections.” – Carmen Dominguez, LMHC

How Child Abuse Affects Adults

Child abuse and neglect often have long-term consequences that last into adulthood. These effects can be physical, cognitive, psychological, behavioral, and social. Negative consequences are often interlinked and may trigger or worsen each other as time goes on.

Possible effects of child abuse in adults:

• • Mental Health Problems. Adults with a history of child abuse commonly develop mental illnesses such as personality disorders, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety, and depression.
  • Physical Health Concerns. The increase in stress hormones abuse causes is linked to a higher risk for health concerns including vision problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, and migraines.
  • Intergenerational Abuse. Adults who experienced abuse or neglect as children are at increased risk of abusing or neglecting their own children.
  • Unhealthy Attachments. Abuse by a primary caregiver as a child can lead to unhealthy attachment patterns later in life.
  • Addiction. It’s common for adults to turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism to deal with the effects of childhood trauma.

• Re-Victimization. People who experience abuse as a child are more likely to experience it as an adult. This connection may be due to low self-esteem and the subconscious normalization of violence. 

• High-Risk Behaviors. These behaviors include a higher chance of arrests, violent behavior, criminal acts, or high-risk sexual behavior.
• Homelessness. There is a strong association between childhood abuse, neglect, and homelessness.

“Considering that traumatic experiences cause a somatic contraction that shapes a habitual pattern, we see these patterns repeating themselves even when they no longer are useful nor relevant to current experiences,” Dominguez said. “These patterns take the form of an array of intimacy disorders and psychopathologies such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and substance and process addictions.”

Realizing that something that happened to you as a child still impacts you today can be a lot to process. Dominguez said she sees various reactions to the realization.

“Sometimes a client responds by feeling relieved to find the missing piece of the puzzle. However, what follows is feeling overwhelmed with hurt, shame, and anger. They are left feeling vulnerable and mistrustful and often default to their habitual protective patterns.”

Recovery in Adulthood

The good news is that the effects of childhood abuse and neglect are treatable. Treatment is highly individualized based on the nature of the abuse and your response to it. Most treatment plans involve multiple therapies.

Therapy used in child abuse recovery:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. ​​Working with a therapist to identify negative thought patterns and behaviors. Finding ways to change or cope with these. 
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Learning to understand and manage your emotions. Changing your perception of yourself.
• Somatic Experiencing Therapy. Modifying the trauma-related stress response by learning new skills to promote self-regulation.
• Exposure Therapy. Being exposed to triggers while learning to remain calm. Can rewire connections in the brain.
• Family Therapy. Helps to encourage healthy and supportive family relationships.
• Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. Allows you to access and process traumatic memories in a healing manner.

Carmen states that information is a vital first step in recovery. 

“Clients benefit from understanding how, in response to developmental trauma, the brain was hijacked and driven into states of chaos or rigidity, and this experience disrupted the relationship with self,” she said.

She also notes that trauma is best treated holistically. 

“The best treatment aims to inspire clients to enter the journey of healing so that they can restore their self-agency. The key to best practices is to inspire clients to re-establish a relationship with their inherent worth. To become curious about who they are beyond their diagnosis.”

How ILC Can Help with Child Abuse Recovery

Child abuse can cause structural and functional changes in the developing brain. And these changes have long-lasting effects that continue into adulthood. Adults who don’t process childhood traumas have a greater chance of developing mental illnesses, physical health problems, and addictions. But childhood abuse doesn’t have to define the rest of your life. Integrative Life Center offers programs for adults to help you heal from childhood abuse or neglect. Contact us today.

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Types of Residential Treatment Programs for Addiction

Residential treatment can serve as the impetus for positive change for individuals with addictions. Entering residential treatment  may be the starting point of a comprehensive recovery program that allows individuals with addictions or other mental health issues to seek healing and recovery in an environment free from daily responsibilities and stress. When you devote your complete attention to treatment, you can build a solid foundation for recovery. 

Residential treatment provides 24/7 care in a supportive, safe, non-hospital environment. When removed from your usual environment, contacts, and routines, you have time to reflect, refocus, and make healthy changes. 

Residential treatment centers offer intensive counseling and other behavioral health services and treatment of co-occurring mental health disorders. With a daily schedule of evidence-based treatment, therapy, learning relapse prevention techniques, and activities such as fitness, mindfulness, and nutritional guidance, you can establish a new rhythm on the road to recovery, no matter which of the types of residential treatment programs you choose. 

Who Residential Treatment Helps 

In a residential treatment setting, resources and services are plentiful in helping you overcome addiction or substance use disorders. You are supported around the clock by caring, knowledgeable staff. Through residential treatment, you regain your accountability, develop coping skills, and learn to interface with your workplace, community, and family productively. 

Residential treatment is best suited to help people with: 

• Recurring issues with substance use
• Severe substance use disorders
• Co-occurring mental health disorders and/or other medical conditions
• Mental health concerns that don’t require medically-managed services

Greg Kfoury, Vice President of Admissions at Integrative Life Network states that people with needs and challenges that aren’t able to be managed effectively with outpatient treatment, but who don’t require in-patient stabilization/hospitalization most benefit from residential treatment. 

Those in need of medically-managed services are best suited for in-patient treatment in a hospital setting. 

Types of Residential Treatment Programs

Residential treatment can look different for everyone, given the time and resources you can devote to your focused recovery. Treatment center admissions staff can share about the setting most likely to help you achieve your goals. 

Types of programs include:

• Short-Term Residential Treatment. A significant amount of intervention and self-work happens in short-term programs, where the typical stay is three to six weeks. It’s common for individuals to transition to outpatient therapy upon completing the short-term residential program. 

• Long-Term Residential Treatment. Sometimes lasting up to a year, this model takes a more gradual approach to interventions and treatment. The recovery community is most robust in the long-term program, and some individuals benefit from residing in a drug-free home away from temptation. 

• • Sober Living Homes. These structured drug- and alcohol-free living residences often include the 12-step program and solid recovery approaches. They help individuals transition back into mainstream society. 

• Therapeutic Communities. This long-term residential treatment program helps special populations – such as homeless individuals, veterans, or women – learn to reacclimate to society through socialization and the development of constructive attitudes, self-awareness, and positive behaviors. 

Greg says trauma-focused residential treatment is best because it focuses on what drives behavior instead of singularly focusing on behavioral management.

Services Residential Treatment Centers Offer

Residential treatment programs offer numerous services to help individuals learn to manage addiction, substance use disorders, and mental health issues. Each person has unique needs and receives a customized treatment plan. 

Tenets of residential treatment can include: 

• Detoxification. If you are dependent on a substance, residential treatment provides a sober place to complete a managed withdrawal, where doctors and nurses offer care.

• Co-Occurring Disorder Treatment. If you have co-occurring disorders, you can receive dual diagnosis treatment. 

• Medical Supervision. Some people benefit from medication-assisted treatment. 

• Mutual Support Groups. You’ll develop a support network and connect with others during regular group meetings. Some of the individuals you meet may become long-term accountability partners. 

• After Care Planning. You work with treatment center staff to learn the tools to prevent relapse and develop a solid plan for success upon resuming your everyday life. You will learn coping skills and holistic ways to navigate daily life. 

Advantages of Residential Treatment Programs

There are many positive reasons for choosing a residential treatment program. When you have a safe and secure environment to focus on your recovery and access to 24/7 care and support from medical professionals, you can make tremendous strides. You’ll become enmeshed in a community that provides the emotional support needed to get well. 

By moving to a new location, there are decreased opportunities for distractions and temptations from negative influences to derail your progress. Residential treatment provides peace of mind for you and your family. 

Reasons to choose residential treatment, according to Greg:

• 24/7 support
• Distance/separation from substances, dysfunctional relationships, triggers/temptations, and stressful places  
• Community
• Structure and routine

Greg said the thing that most surprises people is that treatment can be fun. He states:

“It’s hard work, but there is a community of people working hard on themselves together, and life-long relationships can be formed.”

Residential Treatment at Integrative Life Center

If you’re ready to get help with your addiction and navigate a path to recovery, Integrative Life Center will help you with its integrative and holistic treatment model. A multidisciplinary team of kind, masters-level therapists and staff will guide your holistic healing. 

Integrative Life Center offers gender-specific residential treatment programs located on several beautiful campuses in the rolling hills west of Nashville. Contact ILC now if you’re ready to address your addiction and learn how to overcome it in a healthy, sustainable way.

The post Types of Residential Treatment Programs for Addiction appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

source https://integrativelifecenter.com/types-of-residential-treatment-programs-for-addiction/

What Are Family Roles in Addiction?

The people around a person with an addiction can play important roles in their recovery journey. To understand why people behave differently, you need to understand the family archetypes. But, what are family roles in addiction? 

Family can include others not biologically linked to the person with the addiction. It’s about people who have a consistent emotional involvement in a person’s life. They could be friends, a therapist, or anyone you would mention in a biography about that person’s life.

Each of these central people may fulfill specific roles while trying to help someone with an addiction. The dynamic between family members can help or hinder the person attempting to recover from an addiction. 

What is Addiction?

Addiction is a compulsive physiological need to use habit-forming substances or behaviors. For those with hypersexuality disorder, the addiction likely is to sex, pornography, or masturbation.

There are many theories about the root causes of addiction. Experts believe a combination of factors — primarily genes and trauma — encourage behaviors that result in addiction. 

Unresolved trauma is common in people with addictions. Trauma is anything that causes you extreme psychological or emotional distress. After the trauma, a person may rely on behaviors or substances to calm themselves down and alleviate emotional distress. The initial reliance turns into a learned behavior, quickly becoming an addiction. 

Symptoms of addiction include: 

• The person no longer takes care of their responsibilities
• They withdraw from activities they used to enjoy
• They participate in risky behaviors
• They have behavioral changes, such as sudden mood swings
• There is an increase in conflict with friends or family members
• You see signs of depression, paranoia, or anxiety
• It’s evident that the person is hiding something

Family Roles in Addiction

Addiction influences the relationships a person has with others. People begin to relate differently to the individual because of their addiction. As worrying symptoms become noticeable, people may start to change how they act. 

Addiction often leads to: 

• Fighting
• Enabling (making excuses)
• Unhealthy coping
• Blame
• Avoidance of the issue
• Anxiety and depression 

These behaviors are a way to cope with what’s happening to your loved one. If someone you love has an addiction, it’s challenging to watch, especially when all you want to do is help. 

Understanding the family roles with addiction will help you better comprehend the situation.

6 Typical Family Roles in Addiction and Recovery

A family functions as a unit, regardless of addiction or health. You may not be conscious of it, but each family member is likely to fulfill a role within that unit. The best way to avoid being counterproductive is to understand the family roles in addiction. 

The Addict

Central to the issues is the person with the addiction. They may be at the start of their addiction, or you may be trying to intercede when they’ve hit rock bottom. They’re the focal point of the conflict during this time and central to why each person fulfills their role. 

If they have a sex addiction, they will likely do everything in their power to hide their behaviors. 

The Caretaker

You may see this person as the enabler. They’re the person who allows the person to continue with their addiction. They do this by shielding them from the consequences of their actions.

The Caretaker does things like: 

 

• Makes excuses for the person’s whereabouts or behaviors
• Gives the person money
• Provides a safe haven for the person with the addiction
• Helps the person with the addiction fulfill that addiction

The Caretaker’s intentions are noble, but their actions enable the addictive behaviors.

The Hero

The Hero sacrifices themselves to try to fix the family’s dysfunctions. The Hero tries to keep a sense of normalcy in the family, even if things are falling apart. Typically they have a Type A personality and are often perfectionists. The Hero can become overwhelmed or stressed when not in control. While they appear responsible, the pressure will wear them down over time. 

The Scapegoat

The Scapegoat is the one who takes the blame for the family’s problems. Often seen as a “black sheep,” they may act out to take attention away from the person with the addiction. They’re often seen as aggressive and problematic. They usually harbor feelings of loneliness, anger, and abandonment. They’re frequently in trouble with the law or at school or work. 

The Mascot

As the family clown, they try to bring a bit of humor to any family issue. 

The Mascot uses humor to avoid dealing with serious issues in their life. This sense of humor and immaturity is harmful. It’s a reflection of the sadness and even anger they feel inside. 

Much like The Hero, The Mascot uses jokes to bring an illusion of normalcy to the family. 

The Lost Child

The Lost Child is or tries to be invisible from the rest of the family. They prefer the sense of isolation to dealing with conflict. 

The Lost Child may have always played a solitary role in the family. They may live out a fantasy life through books or the internet. Or the person may isolate themselves in times of conflict. They want people to notice their behavioral changes. 

You need to know what roles your family plays in the recovery process. Being aware of how others relate to the person with addiction can play an important role in their recovery. 

The Family’s Role in Recovery

Family plays a big part in addiction recovery. You want to support your loved one and help them live a sober life where they’re fully in control of their actions and choices. 

You can help support someone with addiction by: 

• Avoiding enabling them
• Encouraging them to get treatment
• Providing necessary information in aid of the treatment process
• Supporting their needs and speaking for their rights
• Helping them stick with their treatment and aftercare plans
• Monitoring any notable behavioral changes that may interfere with the treatment process 

Get Help For Yourself

You and your family don’t have to cope with addiction on your own. Getting help and finding outside support may help reduce conflict within the family. 

At Integrative Life Center, we treat sex addiction and other intimacy disorders. If someone you love has a sex addiction, don’t wait any longer. Get the support you deserve and contact ILC today.

The post What Are Family Roles in Addiction? appeared first on Integrative Life Center.

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Alcohol Addiction Treatment, Symptoms, and Options

Alcohol is ingrained in American social settings. It’s available at sporting events, concerts, and restaurants – readily accessible to adults age 21 and older and often those who are underage. 

While some people choose to abstain for life, more than 14 million adults have an alcohol use disorder.

If you have an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol use despite negative consequences, you may have an alcohol addiction. But, the good news is that no matter how severe your addiction, recovery is possible with alcohol addiction treatment.

What is Alcohol Addiction?

If you can’t stop drinking alcohol, even if it creates problems, leads to emotional distress, or results in physical harm to yourself or others, you may have an alcohol addiction.

Alcohol addiction – also known as alcoholism, alcohol use disorder, and alcohol dependence  – is a medical condition caused by frequent or heavy alcohol use. Alcoholism is a brain function disease and requires medical and psychological treatments to control it. 

The severity of alcohol addiction differs for each person, and it can develop quickly or over time. 

Characteristics that make you more likely to develop alcohol addiction include: 

• Frequent consumption of alcohol in large quantities
• Alcohol exposure early in life
• Family history of alcohol use issues
• Presence of mental health issues including grief, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Being a physical or sexual abuse survivor

By avoiding high-risk drinking, you lower the likelihood of encountering problems with alcohol. Medical professionals recommend that women don’t have more than four drinks in one day or eight drinks a week. They recommend men don’t consume more than five drinks in one day or 15 drinks per week. 

Causes of Alcohol Addiction

Many factors can play a role in alcohol addiction. It is generally considered a result of genetic, psychological, social, and environmental influences.

Causes of alcohol addiction may include:

• Genetics. You may be more likely to develop alcohol use disorder if you have a family history.
• Cultural Influences. Having parents, close friends, or co-workers who regularly consume alcohol may increase your chances of developing an addiction.
• Mental Health Conditions. Alcohol use disorder can develop as a co-occurring disorder alongside depression, anxiety, bipolar, or other mental health conditions.
• Exposure to Stress and Trauma. You may consume alcohol to cope with high levels of stress and trauma.
• Teenage Alcohol Use. Drinking at a young age can increase your chances of developing an addiction later.

Symptoms of Alcoholism

With alcohol consumption widely accepted in American culture, alcoholism can be difficult to detect in friends and family. It is common for meals, celebrations, and social gatherings to include alcohol. But, if you have more than a few drinks or consistently drink every day, you may have alcohol dependence. 

Signs of alcohol addiction include:

• Drinking more than what you plan to or drinking at inappropriate times, like early in the morning or at work
• Spending a lot of time drinking
• Dependence on alcohol to function in everyday life 
• Always thinking about your next drink.
• Feeling cranky when you’re not drinking.
• Hiding alcohol or hiding while drinking
• Blacking out or forgetting events
• Consistent hangovers
• Engaging in risky behaviors like driving or having unprotected sex while intoxicated 
• Continuing to drink even if it causes distress or harms you or others 
• Repeated problems with the law, work, school, or relationships due to drinking
• Inability to cut back

Experts classify alcohol use disorder as mild, moderate, or severe. Mental health professionals base your diagnosis on the number of symptoms you are experiencing. The severity of your alcohol use will help dictate the best alcohol addiction treatment plan for you.

“High functioning” alcoholism is a subtype of alcoholism. It is the most difficult to recognize as the symptoms are less visible. Those with functional alcoholism live seemingly “normal” lives with healthy social relationships. But beneath the surface, it can have the same health risks and negative consequences.

Health Problems Associated with Alcoholism

Mass consumption of alcohol can weaken your immune system, with studies showing that even a single incidence slows your body’s ability to fight infections. Chronic drinking can put you at a greater risk of contracting serious diseases and conditions.

Health conditions linked to alcohol consumption include:

 

• Accidents and injuries like falls, burns, fractures, or drowning
• Brain damage, including dementia
• Bone loss
• Cancer of the breast, liver, colon, or mouth
• Despair, depression, and suicide
• Diabetes
• Erectile dysfunction
• Fetal alcohol syndrome, if exposed to alcohol before birth
• Heart problems
• Liver problems, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and fatty liver
• Nervous system problems
• Suppressed immune function
• Vision problems

Treatment Programs for Alcohol Addiction

It is possible to treat alcohol addiction on your own. But long-term success rates are significantly higher for those who seek professional help. For most, some level of medical intervention, therapy, and social and communal support is necessary to overcome alcohol dependence. 

Alcohol Detoxification

Part of the initial treatment for alcohol addiction and recovery is a period of detoxification. A detox helps to cleanse the body of all alcohol. It helps you get past your physical addiction to the substance. 

Detoxification can occur at home or in a clinic, depending on your level of dependency. Alcohol detox centers are specialized facilities that provide supervision, support, and medications to help treat withdrawal symptoms.

Detoxing is a crucial first step on the path to recovery. But detoxification alone is rarely sufficient in helping you achieve long-term abstinence from alcohol. 

Effective treatment should also involve:

• Addressing the underlying causes of the addiction
• Developing appropriate coping mechanisms
• Learning relapse prevention techniques
• Engaging in support groups 

You can do aftercare through a residential program or outpatient clinic.

Residential or Inpatient Rehab Services

Residential and inpatient rehab involves you living in a rehabilitation center 24/7. It offers help for alcohol abuse in a safe, dedicated space. This treatment style allows you to devote your complete attention to your recovery. You’ll also benefit from a regular schedule of intensive therapy.

Greg Kfoury, Vice President of Admissions at Integrative Life Network, said residential treatment has benefits including:

• Separation from alcohol that allows for safety and stabilization
• 24/7 support from qualified professionals
• Community support
• An atmosphere oriented toward recovery
• Higher frequency and variety of therapeutic experiences

Residential-based programs use many therapeutic approaches. Depending on your needs, they may include traditional evidence-based practices and alternative experiential therapies. Inpatient care provides the foundation for your path to recovery. They also promote overall health and wellness to help with relapse prevention. 

At Integrative Life Clinic, residential alcohol treatment programs may include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing
• Psychiatric support
• 12-step philosophy
• Adventure-based therapies
• Nutritional counseling
• Massage
• Yoga

Outpatient Rehab Services

Outpatient rehab is a program for those who don’t need a medically-supervised detox. It allows you to continue living at home or at a sober living facility while receiving help for alcohol addiction. Outpatient rehab may also be the next step after a residential program.

Outpatient programs provide a part-time or intensive alcohol abuse treatment plan. They also offer clinical, peer, and emotional support systems through counseling and support groups.

“Outpatient programming can also be very effective for alcohol addiction treatment — especially when clients have undergone initial treatment at a higher level of care, or when the acuity of need does not warrant a higher level of care,” says Greg.

Behavioral Therapies for Alcohol Addiction

Behavioral therapies aim to change drinking behavior through individual and group counseling sessions. These therapies are essential aspects of inpatient and outpatient treatment plans. They’re also particularly helpful in treating co-occurring disorders.

Behavioral therapies used to treat alcohol addiction include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Helps change negative thought patterns, which may lead to drinking. CBT also enables you to identify triggers and learn how to avoid or cope with them.
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy. Improves your willingness to engage in treatment. Helps you feel more motivated to change your drinking behavior.
• Marital and Family Counseling. Allows loved ones to learn about the nature of alcohol dependence and offer support.
• Brief Interventions. Monitoring, education, and self-care advice offered to those with early-stage and mild alcohol addiction.

Question to Ask When Selecting Treatment

If you’re on the lookout for an alcohol addiction treatment center, you’ve already taken the first step to recovery. But now, it’s crucial to find the right treatment center for you. 

Gather as much information as you can about multiple programs or providers. Then evaluate and compare your options before making a final decision.

Question to ask when selecting a treatment program:

• What Treatments Are Available? Ensure that you have access to various treatments and therapies to find the ones that work best for you.

• Is Treatment Personalized? Alcohol addiction is unique to every person. The treatment should be personalized to your unique needs.
• What Can I Expect? How intense is the program? What will you do each day? Does it suit your needs?
• How is Treatment Success Measured? How does the provider determine if your treatment progresses as it should and if you’re successful?
• What About Relapse? How does the provider handle relapse? Do they teach relapse prevention techniques? Preparing for this possibility is a vital aspect of addiction recovery.

Treatment for Alcohol Addiction at ILC

Integrative Life Center uses a highly effective paradigm-shifting approach to treating alcohol addiction. Our individualized programs focus on treating the underlying causes of alcohol dependency and the management of the drinking behavior itself. 

“Treatment for alcohol use disorder has existed for half a century, and traditional treatment can be effective for some; however, the typical success rates are disappointingly low,” Greg said. “ILC offers a modern, integrative approach that combines the best elements of traditional approaches with cutting-edge trauma-focused and experiential modalities.” 

ILC treatment programs start with a comprehensive assessment and evaluation by a qualified clinical addiction professional. We then identify the treatment options best suited to your needs. Our plans consider the severity of your dependence and any behavioral health issues.

If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol addiction, contact Integrative Life Center to learn more about our treatment programs and plans.

 

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