Tips to Help Your Loved Ones ::
Here are a few things to avoid if a loved one with mental illness is abusing drugs or alcohol:
Don’t regard it as a family disgrace. Addiction should be treated like any
other illness.
Don’t nag, preach, or lecture. You may only increase their need to lie.
Don’t use the “if you loved me” appeal. This will only increase your loved
one’s guilt.
Be careful about using threats. Idle threats reinforce the feeling that you
don’t mean what you say.
Don’t hide or dispose of the drugs or alcohol. This may make your loved one
desperate.
Don’t be persuaded to use drugs or alcohol with your loved one on the
grounds that he/she will use less. It rarely works.
Avoid feeling jealous if your loved one turns to other people for help.
Don’t expect an immediate recovery. There may be relapses.
Don’t try to protect your loved one from using/drinking situations. They
must learn on their own to say “no.”
Encourage your family and friends to attend a support group, such as
Ala-Non
.
To
locate a local Al-Anon meeting, call 1-888-4AL-ANON (1-888-425-2666)
Tips to Help Yourself ::
Educate yourself about dual diagnosis.
Remember: You are not alone. Millions of people are dually-diagnosed.
Keep taking your medication as prescribed. Don’t try to self-medicate with
drugs or alcohol.
Find a treatment program that works for you with the help of your doctor.
Reach out to family and friends for support.
Be patient. Recovery happens gradually. Just keep at it, and you will get
there!
Attend a self-help group, such as
Double Trouble in Recovery
and
Dual
Recovery Anonymous
.
* (Source:
Schizophrenia Digest, Winter 2004)
