Friends and family can play a crucial role in supporting someone who is dealing with addiction, a disorder, or mental health issues. By offering emotional support, encouragement, and understanding, loved ones can provide a valuable source of strength and comfort. However, it is important to educate themselves on the specific issues their loved one is facing and understand the challenges and struggles that come with addiction, disorders, and mental health problems. This will help them to provide more effective support and assistance. Additionally, they can encourage their loved ones to seek professional help and treatment and can even accompany them to appointments or support groups. Overall, the support of friends and family can be instrumental in helping someone overcome addiction, disorders, or mental health issues.
Why building support systems is key in mental health and addiction recovery.
The phrase, and belief, that “the opposite of addiction is connection,” has been expressed in fellowship meetings, support groups, and encouraged by mental health and addiction specialists for many years. British journalist Johann Hari popularised the saying and highlighted the …
Alcoholism: A family affair
COA Week, (led in the UK, by the charity NACOA UK) is an annual, international campaign to raise awareness of children affected by a parent’s drinking. Run yearly, since 2009, during the week in which Valentine’s Day falls. NACOA UK …
What are “the Holiday Blues”?
For many the festive season is perceived as a period of joy. Lots of entertainment, excitement, parties, and general good cheer. But for some individuals it can be a time of sadness, isolation, painful or traumatic memories, illness, depression and …
Practices to help you stay sober during the festive season.
It’s December … The Christmas decorations are up. Elf on the Shelf has made an appearance. Secret Santa presents, office parties, club get-togethers, and Christmas jollies are the theme of the month, all ahead of the grand finale when the …
What is a relapse? And what causes one?
Addiction is a psychological or physical dependence (or in many cases, both) on the use of substances (including alcohol, drugs, prescription medication or nicotine); or the continued compulsive participation in an activity or behaviour (such as gambling, video-gaming, or sex) …
Empty nest syndrome and substance misuse
The school holidays are finally coming to an end. We hear a collective sigh of relief from those physically, mentally, and financially drained parents who are looking forward to handing their bundles of joy back into the care of the …
Danger of being too nice
Being “nice” is something that is ingrained into us from childhood; to help others, be thoughtful, and be generous of spirit. Showing compassion and kindness to the individuals we encounter daily, enriches both their lives, and our own. Considering other …
Ageing and addiction
Figures published by the UK government’s Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID), and the USAs National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), both seem to indicate that there has been a rise in substance abuse in the elderly. …
Protecting your sobriety during the Holidays
The Holidays are here, and with it they bring a whole new level of stress. It doesn’t matter whether you are new in recovery, (though the first Christmas is a little overwhelming for many), or you have been sober a …
Are you dreading the Holidays?
The holiday season has arrived in all its festive glory. What is generally thought of as a joyful period, parties, celebrations, and time spent with loved ones; can, for some people, be a much gloomier prospect. Many will find Christmas …
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