We sit around the table at my parent’s cottage on the lake, the afternoon light reflecting off the water, blinding me through the windows and casting a golden hue on us. This is how I remember everyone, in this light, at this time of day. This is my family, like flawed angels with makeshift halos … Read More
If you’re familiar with the recovery process, you know that detox usually comes first. Most rehab centers include medical detox in their programs, but is it really necessary? Is it possible to safely detox from home? The answer depends on your loved one’s addiction and health history. Detox offers the safest and most comfortable way to clean out the … Read More
Substance dependence and other addictions are influenced by many factors including genetics, environment and personal character, but the family plays a key role in shaping the development of children. Because children often take on the habits of their parents, family dynamics are very important. Healthy parenting is one of the most powerful factors in preventing … Read More
Have you ever considered rehab, but then thought “No way?” If so, you’re not alone. While rehab isn’t the right solution for everyone, many have rejected the idea of rehab due to preconceptions that are completely false. To truly know whether rehab is right for you or a loved one, you need to separate fact … Read More
Lisa Frederiksen is the owner and brains behind breakingthecycles.com—a website and blog that exists to help end the stigma, misinformation and shame so often surrounding addiction. Lisa also conducts presentations, workshops and training programs at schools, businesses and rehab facilities across the country. We were able to pull Lisa way from her busy schedule and drill … Read More
It’s a little different than the TV Show We’ve all seen the shows on TV. They spend all of their time following an addict in the middle of their addiction and an incredibly short amount of time on what they are going to do to help them. The process of an actual intervention is very short, lasting … Read More
In Part 1 of How to influence an addict to enter treatment, we talked about how to detach ourselves form the problem to become part of the solution. Here, we talk about how you can use your relationship with the addict as leverage during an intervention. If you realize that you’ve been enabling your loved one, then you need to use this … Read More
When you love someone who is struggling, you want to do anything you can to wipe the hurt away. However, we often enable a loved one’s destructive behavior without realizing it because we think we’re helping them. Enabling is facilitating the progression of a problem by protecting others from the consequences of their own actions. That … Read More
“I can’t stand back and watch them throw their life away, but I can’t make them change. I want to love them, but I don’t even know how right now. Is there anything I can do?” Loving the unloveable It’s not that your loved one is a completely unlovable person. But let’s face it, they are doing things that … Read More
Bringing your loved one home after rehab is a bit like bringing home your newborn baby from the hospital—you’re making sure the room is just right, you’re getting congratulations from friends, and you’re preparing for a completely different schedule. Here are some steps you should take to help your loved one integrat back into life … Read More
