(559) 460-0715

Family Therapist
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Services
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Relationship Problems
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Postpartum Depression
  • Blog
    • 2016
    • 2017
    • 2018
    • 2019
    • 2020
    • 2021
  • Contact

Addiction: How to Heal the Family

Dec 21, 2017

As family members of people in active addiction or early recovery, the path to a healthier life is strewn with hurdles and barriers. Frustration and resentment often fuel anger and fear toward the addicted family member, causing rifts and distrust to grow. How can we help ourselves? How can we continue to support someone when that person has created so much chaos in our lives?

How Do I Help Myself?

The first priority is always helping ourselves. If we cannot create a sense of wellness for ourselves, how can we help someone else meet the same goal? Helping others is much like filling cups from a pitcher of water. Once the pitcher is empty, the cups will no longer have a source of water. Refilling ourselves is the first step in the process of healing. Creating a self-care plan is critical when learning to heal from an addicted family member's behavior. This includes caring for spiritual needs, whether this means going to church or meditation, physical needs, such as healthy eating and exercise, and mental needs, like seeing our own counselor or attending self-help groups.

Part of this recovery as a family member is understanding that the motivation for substance use lies within the addicted person, and is not a product of our own behaviors. Remembering that the addicted family member is responsible for his or her own outcomes is an important piece of familial recovery. When family members cease to enable and stop working harder than the individual is at their own recovery, the member has the opportunity to take responsibility for his or her own actions. Although this is a difficult task to master, allowing the addicted family member to own their behaviors and mistakes will lead to owning his or her successes. Whether in active addiction or in early recovery, maintaining a balance of wellness and self-care while establishing healthy boundaries in the relationship is necessary for the family members impacted by addiction.

How Do I Help My Addicted Family Member?

Witnessing the struggle an addicted family member faces causes a sense of helplessness, and sometimes hopelessness. We can help through a series of mindful reactions to the family member. Creating a sober environment, devoid of triggers for use, will create a safe space for the family member. Avoiding negative or resentful talk toward the individual will reduce anxiety and guilt, which will lead to an increase in self-worth and a greater desire to either initiate or maintain sobriety. As we create healthy boundaries by not enabling the member and help ourselves in this way, we are also helping the addicted family member. Disengaging in enabling behaviors and allowing the addicted member to deal with his or her own consequences will create a better sense of ownership for the individual, which can lead to initiated or sustained recovery. Offering emotional support for the individual is a healthier alternative to financial support. Although healthy boundaries are sometimes difficult to establish, the boundaries will keep all members of the family safer and healthier. In a positive manner, avoiding any negative or blaming comments, suggesting the person seek professional assistance for his or her addiction is beneficial.

Addiction is a family disease, and thus requires family recovery. Although the addicted member is responsible for his or her own behaviors, consequences, and recovery, the family must also react in a healthy way. Caring for ourselves is necessary, and supporting the addicted member emotionally through addiction, early recovery, and sustained recovery is a necessary piece of recovery for the family. For more suggestions, contact us. Remember, seeking our own support and counseling is as beneficial as it is for the addicted member.


Tags: Family Therapy, Fresno Therapist, Addiction, Addiction Recovery
Category: Family Therapy

Loading Conversation

Next »
« Previous

Category List

Anxiety Therapy (63)
PTSD (31)
Couples Counseling (34)
Depression Counseling (43)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (27)
Family Therapy (20)

Tag List

Adopted Children (1)
Depression and Anxiety (1)
Therapy Tips (1)
Mental Health (2)
Psychology (1)
COVID19 (1)
Child Anxiety Therapy (1)
Anxiety Counselor (5)
Battling Anxiety (1)
PTSD Counseling (2)
Depression Tips (1)
Spouse Who Suffers from Anxiety (1)
Fresno Depression Therapist (2)
Therapy Treatments (1)
Starting a New Job (1)
Serotonin (2)
Fresno Couples Therapy (1)
Anxiety Therapy (41)
Relationship Anxiety (1)
Get Help (2)
What is Ecotherapy (1)
improve your relationship (1)
CBT Therapy (2)
Fresno PTSD Therapist (5)
Covid-19 (1)
Communication Classes (1)
Relieving Your Anxiety (1)
anxiety therapy in Fresno (1)
Sadness (1)
Fresno Anxiety Counseling (3)
Child Therapy (2)
Lifestyle Changes (1)
Game Playing (1)
Prioritizing Mental Health (1)
Hygge (1)
Depression Help (2)
Couples Therapist (5)
Family Counselor (1)
Fresno Anxiety Counselor (2)
communication (2)
CBT Treatment (1)
Anxiety Therapis (1)
Pets Help Children with Anxiety (1)
Minimize Anxiety (1)
Substance Abuse (1)
Trauma Therapist (1)
Distressing Thoughts and Emotions (1)
Find a Depression Therapist (1)
Group Therapy (1)
Death Of A Child (1)
relationships (2)
Dealing with Loss (3)
Couples Counselor (9)
Addiction Therapy (2)
Fight Anxiety (1)
Poetry (1)
Fresno Therapy (14)
Depression Symptoms (1)
Relationship Therapy (2)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (28)
Therapy and Depression (1)
Reduce Anxiety (2)
Young Adults and Anxiety (1)
Fresno Anxiety Therapyy (1)
Fresno Therapist (77)
Parent Relationship (1)
Counseling Fresno (1)
EMDR Therapy (1)
Racing Mind (1)
Anxiety and Dating (1)
Anxiety in Children (1)
Trauma (5)
Fresno Counseling (15)
Depressed (4)
Coping Mechanism (1)
Family Communication (2)
Fresno Therapists (1)
Self-care (1)
Pandemic Anxiety (1)
What is PTSD (2)
Alleviating Anxiety (1)
Counseling for Depression (3)
About Anxiety (1)
PTSD Therapy (20)
Move Forward (1)
Workplace Anxiety (1)
A Partner with Anxiety (1)
Depression Healing Solutions (1)
Banishing Anxiety (1)
How to Deal with Anxiety (1)
Families with PTSD (1)
Counseling Help (1)
Therapy (1)
therapy for anxiety (1)
Postpartum Depression (2)
Stress (3)
Fresno Counselor (17)
Seeking Guidance (1)
Ecotherapy (1)
Treating Anxiety Disorders (1)
Anxiety Control (1)
Anxiety Symptoms (2)
Fresno Couples Counselor (4)
Depression Therapist (7)
Beat Depression (1)
Relief from Anxiety (1)
Thinking Positively (1)
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (1)
Anxiety and Depression Therapy (1)
Manage Depression (1)
PTSD and Trauma (2)
Anxiety in Kids (1)
Depression Therapy (19)
Severe Anxiety (1)
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (1)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (5)
Psychoanalysis (1)
Toxic Relationships (1)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Exercises (1)
PTSD Symptoms (1)
Narrative Therapy (1)
Family Counseling (1)
Holiday Stress (3)
Blended Families (1)
Depression (21)
Depression Questions (1)
Frantic Thoughts (1)
Overcoming Anxiety (1)
Anxiety Counseling (20)
Nice Guy vs. Bad Boy (1)
Fresno Depression Counseling (1)
Alleviate Anxiety (1)
Fresno Couples Counseling (5)
Reconcile Relationships (1)
Teen Depression (1)
Living with PTSD (1)
Re-building Relationships (1)
Anxiety Therapist (14)
Fresno Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (1)
Pets for Anxiety (1)
Relationship Counselor (2)
Adolescent Therapy (1)
Anxiety Help (7)
CBT Teaching Techniques (1)
Your Mind (1)
Teen Anxiety (1)
Stress Relief (1)
Change (1)
Coping with Anxiety (4)
PPD (1)
Work Together (1)
Anxiety Tips (12)
Fresno CBT Therapy (1)
Grounding (1)
Relationship Therapist (2)
CBT Therapist (9)
Successful Relationships (1)
Body Image Induced Anxiety (1)
Couples Therapy (9)
Addiction (2)
Handling Anxiety (1)
Loving Your Spouse (1)
Struggling with Anxiety (1)
Stress and Anxiety (1)
Relationship Help (2)
Couples Communication (2)
Coronavirus Stress (1)
Marriage Counseling (3)
Combatting Anxiety (1)
Social Anxiety (1)
Anxiety Relief (2)
Growth and Healing (1)
Dealing with Anxiety (1)
Anxious (1)
CBT Benefits (1)
Loss of a Child (1)
Reasons to Seek Counseling (1)
Holiday Depression (1)
Family Therapy (24)
Fresno Anxiety Therapist (6)
Weight Loss (1)
Fresno Depression Therapy (4)
Corona Virus Anxiety (1)
Supporting Your Partner (1)
Anxiety Attacks (1)
Couple Counselor. Fresno Couples Counseling (1)
Couples Counseling (28)
Healthy Lifestyle (1)
Self-Quarantining (1)
Anxiety and PTSD (1)
Fresno Anxiety Therapy (3)
PTSD Help (2)
Family Drama (1)
Family Therapy Options (1)
Anxiety Treatment (1)
Counseling (4)
Therapy for Depression (1)
Jodi Mitchell Therapist (1)
Benefits of EMDR (1)
Working Together (1)
suffering from depression (1)
Dating Anxiety (2)
Depression Counseling (23)
CBT (27)
Trauma Therapy (1)
Bankruptcy (1)
New Moms (1)
Addiction Recovery (1)
Fresno Family Therapist (6)
Anxiety Help Methods (1)
Defeating Anxiety (2)
PTSD (25)
psychotherapy (2)
Individual Therapy (2)
Family Help (1)
Couples Counselin (1)
Have PTSD (1)
Panic (3)
Therapy Help (1)
Anxiety Disorders (2)
Alleviate Anxiety and Depression (1)
Benefits of Couples Counseling (1)
Feel Better (1)
Antidepressants (1)
Marriage Counselor (1)
Postpartum Depression Relief (1)
Depressive Disorders (1)
PTSD Family Therapy (1)
Self-Talk (1)
Grounding Skills (1)
Holiday Season Help (1)
Relationship Advice (1)
EMDR (1)
Fresno CBT Therapist (5)
Anxiety Attack (1)
Major Depressive Disorder (1)
Pandemic Struggles (1)
Family Therapist (7)
Depression Counselor (6)
Anxiety in Women (1)
MBCT (1)
Talk Therapy (1)
Red Flags (1)
Cognitive Therapy (1)
Depression Cure (1)
First Responders (1)
Life Changes (1)
Fresno CBT (2)
Narrative Exposure Therapy (1)
Benefits of Therapy (1)
Help Anxiety (1)
Change Thoughts (1)
Depression Myths (1)
Grounding Techniques (1)
post-traumatic stress disorder (3)
Relationship Counseling (7)
Adjustment Disorders (1)
CBT in Fresno (1)
PTSD Fresno Therapist (1)
Depression Healing (1)
CBT Help (1)
Holistic (1)
Fresno Family Counseling (1)
Relieve Your Anxiety (1)
CBT Counselor (1)
Anxiety (27)
Panic Coping Tactics (1)
Therapeutic Journaling (1)
Business Anxiety (1)
Anxiety Struggles (1)
Depression Counseling Tips (1)
new job stress (1)
Risk of Suicide (1)
PTSD Therapist (13)
Suicidal Teen (1)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (3)
Fresno PTSD Therapy (4)
Panic Attacks (3)
Self-Care Tips for Teens (1)
Trauma and PTSD (1)
Acute Anxiety (1)
Cannabis (1)
Bilateral Stimulation (1)
Art Therapy for Depression (1)
family stress (1)
Health and Counseling (1)
Fresno Couples Therapist (6)
Fresno Family Therapy (7)
Fresno Depression Counselor (3)
Loss (2)

Tag Cloud

  • Anxiety Struggles (1)
  • Couples Communication (2)
  • Couples Counselin (1)
  • Alleviating Anxiety (1)
  • Antidepressants (1)
  • Fight Anxiety (1)
  • Depression Therapy (19)
  • Fresno Family Therapist (6)
  • Depression Counselor (6)
  • Move Forward (1)
  • Suicidal Teen (1)
  • Jodi Mitchell Therapist (1)
  • Fresno PTSD Therapist (5)
  • Family Counseling (1)
  • Depressive Disorders (1)
  • Red Flags (1)
  • Successful Relationships (1)
  • Relieving Your Anxiety (1)
  • Fresno PTSD Therapy (4)
  • PTSD Counseling (2)
  • Addiction Recovery (1)
  • Adjustment Disorders (1)
  • Anxiety Treatment (1)
  • Counseling Fresno (1)
  • Anxious (1)
  • Psychoanalysis (1)
  • Coping Mechanism (1)
  • Help Anxiety (1)
  • MBCT (1)
  • Bilateral Stimulation (1)
  • Fresno Family Counseling (1)
  • Seeking Guidance (1)
  • Young Adults and Anxiety (1)
  • Depression Help (2)
  • Social Anxiety (1)
  • What is Ecotherapy (1)
  • Prioritizing Mental Health (1)
  • Change (1)
  • Reasons to Seek Counseling (1)
  • COVID19 (1)
  • Grounding Techniques (1)
  • Sadness (1)
  • EMDR Therapy (1)
  • Relieve Your Anxiety (1)
  • Dealing with Anxiety (1)
  • Get Help (2)
  • Battling Anxiety (1)
  • Fresno Depression Counselor (3)
  • Narrative Therapy (1)
  • Anxiety and Dating (1)
  • Your Mind (1)
  • Feel Better (1)
  • Anxiety Counseling (20)
  • Adolescent Therapy (1)
  • Talk Therapy (1)
  • Depression Healing Solutions (1)
  • Substance Abuse (1)
  • Marriage Counselor (1)
  • Death Of A Child (1)
  • Pandemic Anxiety (1)
  • Relationship Counselor (2)
  • Blended Families (1)
  • Loss (2)
  • therapy for anxiety (1)
  • Living with PTSD (1)
  • Anxiety Help Methods (1)
  • PTSD Therapist (13)
  • Child Anxiety Therapy (1)
  • psychotherapy (2)
  • Fresno Anxiety Therapist (6)
  • Panic Attacks (3)
  • Reconcile Relationships (1)
  • Family Counselor (1)
  • Couples Counselor (9)
  • CBT Counselor (1)
  • Anxiety Therapy (41)
  • Anxiety (27)
  • Nice Guy vs. Bad Boy (1)
  • Anxiety Tips (12)
  • Psychology (1)
  • improve your relationship (1)
  • Manage Depression (1)
  • Find a Depression Therapist (1)
  • CBT (27)
  • Anxiety Attacks (1)
  • Panic (3)
  • Trauma (5)
  • Relationship Counseling (7)
  • Depression Myths (1)
  • Growth and Healing (1)
  • Health and Counseling (1)
  • What is PTSD (2)
  • Serotonin (2)
  • Parent Relationship (1)
  • family stress (1)
  • Have PTSD (1)
  • Anxiety Symptoms (2)
  • Self-Talk (1)
  • PTSD (25)
  • Bankruptcy (1)
  • CBT Therapy (2)
  • Anxiety in Children (1)
  • Stress Relief (1)
  • PTSD Help (2)
  • Weight Loss (1)
  • Mental Health (2)
  • Reduce Anxiety (2)
  • Anxiety in Kids (1)
  • Banishing Anxiety (1)
  • PTSD Fresno Therapist (1)
  • Covid-19 (1)
  • Fresno Depression Counseling (1)
  • Fresno Therapy (14)
  • Working Together (1)
  • Child Therapy (2)
  • Therapy (1)
  • Distressing Thoughts and Emotions (1)
  • Grounding Skills (1)
  • Counseling (4)
  • Counseling for Depression (3)
  • Relationship Advice (1)
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (28)
  • Thinking Positively (1)
  • Counseling Help (1)
  • Anxiety Therapist (14)
  • Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (1)
  • anxiety therapy in Fresno (1)
  • Couples Therapist (5)
  • Family Therapy Options (1)
  • Pandemic Struggles (1)
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (3)
  • Depression Therapist (7)
  • Fresno Couples Counselor (4)
  • New Moms (1)
  • Cognitive Therapy (1)
  • Anxiety Disorders (2)
  • Fresno CBT Therapy (1)
  • Family Therapist (7)
  • Therapy Treatments (1)
  • Anxiety Therapis (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Counselor (2)
  • Depressed (4)
  • Racing Mind (1)
  • Acute Anxiety (1)
  • Anxiety Attack (1)
  • Change Thoughts (1)
  • Depression and Anxiety (1)
  • Game Playing (1)
  • Fresno Family Therapy (7)
  • Depression Symptoms (1)
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (3)
  • PPD (1)
  • Fresno Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (1)
  • CBT Therapist (9)
  • Anxiety and PTSD (1)
  • Self-Care Tips for Teens (1)
  • Self-Quarantining (1)
  • Handling Anxiety (1)
  • Fresno Couples Therapy (1)
  • Healthy Lifestyle (1)
  • Holiday Stress (3)
  • Family Drama (1)
  • Hygge (1)
  • Postpartum Depression Relief (1)
  • Depression Healing (1)
  • Poetry (1)
  • Loss of a Child (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Counseling (3)
  • suffering from depression (1)
  • Therapy Help (1)
  • Holiday Season Help (1)
  • Minimize Anxiety (1)
  • Coping with Anxiety (4)
  • Toxic Relationships (1)
  • Fresno Counseling (15)
  • Frantic Thoughts (1)
  • Depression Counseling Tips (1)
  • Adopted Children (1)
  • Defeating Anxiety (2)
  • Anxiety Help (7)
  • Addiction Therapy (2)
  • Fresno Depression Therapy (4)
  • PTSD Therapy (20)
  • Ecotherapy (1)
  • Group Therapy (1)
  • A Partner with Anxiety (1)
  • How to Deal with Anxiety (1)
  • Anxiety in Women (1)
  • Therapeutic Journaling (1)
  • Families with PTSD (1)
  • Grounding (1)
  • Benefits of Therapy (1)
  • PTSD and Trauma (2)
  • Body Image Induced Anxiety (1)
  • Pets for Anxiety (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Therapy (3)
  • Holistic (1)
  • Depression (21)
  • CBT Treatment (1)
  • Fresno Couples Therapist (6)
  • relationships (2)
  • Depression Cure (1)
  • Family Help (1)
  • Corona Virus Anxiety (1)
  • Art Therapy for Depression (1)
  • Trauma Therapy (1)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Exercises (1)
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (1)
  • CBT in Fresno (1)
  • Dealing with Loss (3)
  • Fresno Counselor (17)
  • Relationship Therapy (2)
  • Severe Anxiety (1)
  • Trauma and PTSD (1)
  • Fresno Couples Counseling (5)
  • Relationship Therapist (2)
  • Stress and Anxiety (1)
  • Lifestyle Changes (1)
  • Anxiety and Depression Therapy (1)
  • Addiction (2)
  • Self-care (1)
  • Beat Depression (1)
  • Starting a New Job (1)
  • Fresno CBT Therapist (5)
  • Life Changes (1)
  • Pets Help Children with Anxiety (1)
  • Teen Anxiety (1)
  • Alleviate Anxiety (1)
  • Teen Depression (1)
  • Work Together (1)
  • Benefits of EMDR (1)
  • First Responders (1)
  • Fresno Therapist (77)
  • Alleviate Anxiety and Depression (1)
  • Anxiety Control (1)
  • Fresno Depression Therapist (2)
  • Relationship Help (2)
  • Relief from Anxiety (1)
  • Postpartum Depression (2)
  • Overcoming Anxiety (1)
  • Family Communication (2)
  • CBT Help (1)
  • Stress (3)
  • Loving Your Spouse (1)
  • Supporting Your Partner (1)
  • Individual Therapy (2)
  • Holiday Depression (1)
  • Re-building Relationships (1)
  • Anxiety Relief (2)
  • EMDR (1)
  • Depression Tips (1)
  • Combatting Anxiety (1)
  • Couples Counseling (28)
  • Relationship Anxiety (1)
  • About Anxiety (1)
  • Workplace Anxiety (1)
  • communication (2)
  • Communication Classes (1)
  • Anxiety Counselor (5)
  • Dating Anxiety (2)
  • PTSD Symptoms (1)
  • PTSD Family Therapy (1)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (5)
  • Fresno Anxiety Therapyy (1)
  • Therapy for Depression (1)
  • Cannabis (1)
  • new job stress (1)
  • Business Anxiety (1)
  • Marriage Counseling (3)
  • Depression Questions (1)
  • Risk of Suicide (1)
  • Fresno Therapists (1)
  • Fresno CBT (2)
  • Major Depressive Disorder (1)
  • Narrative Exposure Therapy (1)
  • Benefits of Couples Counseling (1)
  • Couple Counselor. Fresno Couples Counseling (1)
  • Family Therapy (24)
  • Trauma Therapist (1)
  • Therapy Tips (1)
  • Coronavirus Stress (1)
  • Panic Coping Tactics (1)
  • Treating Anxiety Disorders (1)
  • Couples Therapy (9)
  • Therapy and Depression (1)
  • CBT Benefits (1)
  • CBT Teaching Techniques (1)
  • Depression Counseling (23)
  • Struggling with Anxiety (1)
  • Spouse Who Suffers from Anxiety (1)
 

Archive

2019

  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

2020

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

2021

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr

Family counseling therapy for marriage, families, behavioral, depression & anxiety by a certified therapist serving:

  • Frenso
  • Kingsburg
  • Oakhurst
  • Vialia

Contact

  • (559) 460-0715
  • jodimitchellmft@gmail.com

©2025 Jodi Mitchell. All rights reserved.