Addiction is a hugely complex experience that affects not only the person with the addiction but all those around them, and they are able to access help and support also.
If you are caring for someone with a dependency or addiction, having a strong support network around you can be very important for helping you maintain your own health and wellbeing on every level. Many people who care for someone with an addiction may not be aware that support exists for them or find it difficult to know where to start accessing help and support for themselves.
Here we explore why being part of supportive communities can be important for carers affected by addiction and dependency, suggest the types of support that might be available, and offer practical advice so you can begin building a support network of your own.
Benefits of building a support network
Supporting someone who has an addiction can feel lonely at times, and being part of a support network can help reduce the feeling of social isolation that many people can feel. As someone affected by addiction, you can have access to high-quality, reliable information and advice. Connecting with experts and listening to those who have been through similar experiences, including those who have been through addiction themselves and are now in recovery, can offer you new perspectives and help you feel more empowered with new knowledge and skills.
A strong support network can help you feel more reassured that there is always someone there to help when you need it and feel more peace of mind if ever there is an emergency. Supporting someone with an addiction or dependency can often feel like a huge responsibility to carry on your own. Creating more connections means the responsibility can be shared, and you feel more able to consider your own needs.
Knowing you are part of a strong support network can help you feel more confident and aware of the importance of your own needs. This is vital if you are caring for someone who has a dependency or addiction so you feel more able to prioritise your own self-care, create healthy boundaries where necessary, allowing you to manage your wellbeing.
Who can be part of a support network?
Although it can sometimes feel very hard to talk to family and friends if you are affected by addiction, you might know someone you feel comfortable with, and who you trust to provide a listening ear in a confidential and non-judgemental way. You might have the consent of the person you care for to speak with them to family or friends about what you are all going through. Again, if this feels right, it can sometimes bring people together even more closely and your support network can grow. Difficult situations are common to us all, and many times we can discover that we are not alone in experiencing the effects of dependency and addiction, so in talking to family and friends we might be more understood and supported than we expect.
You may already know certain people you know will support you in a confidential, non-judgemental way. This might include your GP, a teacher, your employer, a sports coach or counsellor. Certain religious organisations can also provide a safe place to share your concerns and anxieties whilst feeling supported by a personal faith.
You may already have a healthcare team who supports you and the person you care for. These professionals can support not only the person with the addiction, but you and other family members who might be affected as well. They can be a useful source of information and can make referrals to other services, so reaching out to them for support can be a great help.
There are many excellent services and organisations set up to specifically support families affected by addiction. Their teams can offer you resources, advice and counselling, and many of their staff have lived experience of the issues they help others with so you are sure to feel understood.
Being part of a support network made up of others who share similar experiences can provide a place to be heard and understood, without judgement or fear of stigma, and can help you feel less alone whilst learning from others’ experiences. There are support groups set up specifically for friends and family affected by addiction that you can attend in-person or online. Searching online or asking your GP or an addiction-specific organisation for suggestions can help you find the most suitable ones for you.
If you are caring for someone with an underlying condition who may also have a dependency or addiction, seeking out condition-specific volunteer and charity organisations can offer you support and respite opportunities so you can take a break.
How to make the most of your support network
- As someone affected by addiction your experience is unique, so taking some time to consider which areas you are finding challenging and then exploring what support might be most helpful for you can be a good idea.
- Being prepared to trust and accept help from someone else will be part of making the most of the support on offer. If you find this difficult, you’re not alone, so taking your time and gently reminding yourself that you deserve high-quality support, can help.
- Sharing your story with others, in the ways that feel right for you, can create connections and strengthen positive bonds with others.
- If you are asking for help, being specific and intentional about what you are asking for and why you are asking for it can help the right people connect with you and know how to support you best.
- If you have been helped in any way, letting people know the impact that their support has had on you will be very valuable. Appreciation strengthens the connection between people, and your specific feedback can help organisations recognise which aspects of their support are working well, and improve their services too.