(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

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

Tag List

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

Tag Cloud

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

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.