Topic Tuesday / *CLOSED* / Caring for someone who struggles with drugs or alcohol

There needs to be a lot more facilities available to help sufferers together with their families. The sufferer usually becomes very isolated as a result of their illness. I live in an area of Sydney where there is no support group for either the sufferer or the family. My son suffers from schizophrenia, is now in his thirties and has very little contact with people his own age. He was diagnosed at 18 and I'm sure there are many more sufferers now so hence a growing need for more services.

Hi @Sophie44

That's a trick situation. I remember my father driving me to the bottle shop many times, just to keep the peace!! It is quite common for families of addicted people would likely do almost anything to make the person they love stop using, and yet, they often purchase the substances the addicts hold dear.

So in saying that, you are definately not alone!!

Keep in the conversation @Sophie44!!

David

Hi everyone,

Well...tips on how to adress "the elphant in the room"

It's never easy to talk about something as sensitive and personal as drinking or drug use. And when you do, you'll probably put your friend or family member on the spot or cause hurt pride. They also may very likely become angry. But focus on the behaviour and consequences, not the person.

I think keep concentrating on what is happening to the person, rather than what they are doing is best. SO for example, you might say "I noticed you didn't go to work today....do you thiknk your job might be at risk". This is not telling the erson that they are hopeless, and= addict, no good, just confronting the specific reality.

This kind of talk can also lead into other, more consrtuctive comments, such as "do you think you missed work because you might have had a big night", etc

Basically it's always hard, but it's also something that we all need to do.

David

Is it helpful for family members to become tea totallers themselves before raising the issue. If you enjoy the occasional social drink this can be raised as an issue in response.