When someone you love is struggling with addiction, it can be difficult to take care of yourself. Addiction can affect a household in a number of negative ways, and it can be hard to focus on your own well-being. However, it’s very important that you do everything you can to stay healthy. There are many things you can do to take care of your mental and physical health while your loved one is addicted.
How addiction can affect a household
Addiction doesn’t just affect the person with a substance use disorder. It affects nearly everyone in their life. While these people don’t all experience the same effects of their loved one’s addiction, some common effects of addiction on those who live in the same household can include:
- stress
- anxiety
- guilt
- financial strain
- anger
- embarrassment
- fear of physical danger
These are just a few of the negative effects that people may experience when their loved one is addicted. Because of the potential that addiction has to cause harm in a household, it’s important for those who live with someone who is addicted to take care of themselves.
Taking care of your mental health
When someone you love is struggling with substance use disorder, it can take a serious toll on your mental health. It’s important to be aware of this and take steps to stay mentally healthy as your loved one battles addiction. There are multiple ways to take care of your mental health as a loved one struggles.
Let go of responsibility for your loved one’s addiction
You didn’t cause your loved one’s addiction and you can’t control it. Accepting this can help you feel less guilty, helpless, and stressed. Addiction is a disease that affects people from all walks of life. It is unhelpful and unhealthy for you to blame yourself for your loved one’s addiction.
It can be hard to stop blaming yourself for what someone you love is going through. Individual therapy and counseling sessions may be beneficial to help you work through emotions and let go of the personal responsibility that you may be wrestling with.
Educate yourself about addiction
Humans often have a fear of the unknown. This is no different when it comes to addiction. While educating yourself about addiction may not take all the problems away, it’s a positive step toward improving your mental health.
Learning what addiction is and how it affects people can give you a more thorough understanding of what your loved one is going through. The more you learn, the fewer questions you’ll have swirling around in your head. Finding answers to your questions about addiction can start to provide peace of mind even as you navigate a difficult situation.
Build a strong support system
One of the most important things to remember when your loved one is struggling with addiction is that you aren’t in this alone. It’s important to have people around you to lean on when times are tough. Family and friends can offer emotional and practical support while your loved one is battling this disease.
Support groups are also a great option. There are many groups available to help people who are dealing with a loved one’s addiction. This can be a great way to meet other people who understand what you’re going through and offer support and advice. You may even find that attending meetings helps you feel better mentally and emotionally.
Taking care of your physical health
Mental health and physical health go hand-in-hand. They both affect the other tremendously. That’s why it’s important to take care of your physical health when you have a loved one who is addicted.
This can be difficult because oftentimes taking care of yourself requires self-discipline and time management, two things that may not be easy to come by when you’re dealing with addiction in the family. However, there are some things that you can do to make sure you’re physically healthy as your loved one battles addiction.
Get enough sleep
Getting enough sleep is crucial for maintaining physical health. Your body performs many key functions that keep you healthy while you’re sleeping, so it’s important that you prioritize this.
The CDC recommends that adults aged 18-60 get at least seven hours of sleep a night to promote health and well-being. There are some small steps you can take to start sleeping better through the night. Limiting your exposure to blue light before bedtime and keeping your room at a comfortable sleeping temperature are a couple of small things that you can do to start getting better sleep.
Maintain a healthy diet
Your diet has a huge impact on your physical health. The food that you eat is the fuel that your body uses to function, so it’s important that you’re giving your body the things it needs.
Dealing with a loved one’s addiction can be stressful, which makes it easy to turn to the most convenient, comforting foods. However, these foods often aren’t what’s best for your body. Try to avoid processed foods that are high in refined sugar.
Simply spending time thinking about what you’re putting in your body and planning meals can make a world of difference when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet.
Exercise regularly
Not only is exercise great for people in addiction recovery, but it’s also incredibly beneficial for those who have addicted loved ones.
Exercise releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. In addition, exercise has been shown to reduce stress levels, improve sleep quality, and increase energy levels. All of these things can be very beneficial when you’re dealing with a loved one’s addiction.
Even if you don’t have a lot of time, there are some simple exercises that you can do to get your heart rate up and improve your physical health. Taking a brisk walk or going for a light jog are both great options.
Isaiah House is here for you
If you have a loved one who is struggling with addiction, Casey’s Law may let you take an important first step to help. Regardless, it’s important to take care of yourself both mentally and physically when you’re in this situation. Self-care can be difficult when you’re dealing with such a stressful situation, but it’s crucial for maintaining your own health and well-being. Remember that you aren’t in this alone and seek out support from family, friends, or support groups.
No one should have to walk through this journey alone. Isaiah House is a faith-based non-profit that has helped thousands of men and women struggling with addiction. Recovery is possible. Reach out to us today to learn how we can walk with you through this journey and get your loved one on the path to recovery today.
