A drug addiction can have a serious impact on the entire family. Children of addicts can feel neglected or abandoned. Parents can also be frustrated by their child’s inability to get clean.
Online meetings for families of addicts can help them find support and encouragement. These programs include Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, Families Anonymous, and SMART Recovery Family & Friends.
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Al-Anon
Al-Anon is a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems. Members of the group believe alcoholism is a family illness that can be treated with changed attitudes. The organization is self-supporting through member donations. Its meetings are open to all who have been affected by a loved one’s drinking problems.
Most newcomers and members endorsed goals that were directly related to their reasons for attending Al-Anon. These included improving quality of life and relationships with their Al-Anon trigger, as well as learning to handle problems that were a result of the trigger’s drinking. In addition, most endorsed other hoped-for gains from Al-Anon attendance, such as learning how to help the trigger, less stress and depression, more hope, better physical health, and higher self-esteem.
Although the recovery journey for a loved one with a substance use disorder can be challenging, it is important that you take care of yourself. To do this, learn to set healthy boundaries and make yourself a priority. You will need time to heal from the chaos and drama that is often associated with someone in active addiction or recovery.
Alateen
In order to help families of addicts, the organization Al-Anon established a program called Alateen. This group is for teens whose lives have been affected by their parents’ alcoholism. These meetings are based on the Twelve Steps of AA, and they provide a safe space for teenagers to discuss their concerns. The group also provides resources to help parents cope with their loved one’s addiction.
Many people do not know that drug abuse affects the entire family. In addition to impacting a person’s decision making and impulsivity, it can also affect nutrition and sleep, which increases the risk for trauma, violence, and accidents. Addiction also negatively impacts the relationships of friends and family members.
Al-Anon offers virtual meetings via Skype, Zoom, and social media. You can find these meetings by searching for “electronic” meetings on the WSO website. You can also search for meetings by town (or district), day, and time. You can also filter by meeting types such as Parent, Adult Child Focus, or Online.
Nar-Anon
The addiction of a loved one can affect the entire family. It is important for family members to get help and learn how to cope. The meetings for families of addicts are a great way to find support and learn more about addiction. These groups are free and are based on the 12 steps of Narcotics Anonymous.
The group is a worldwide fellowship of relatives and friends of addicts. Its members share their experiences, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems. It is a non-profit organization with no religious affiliation. The only requirement to join is that there is a problem of addiction in a relative or friend.
The drug addiction of a loved one can damage the entire family. This can lead to negative emotions and high levels of stress. Family members often become codependent and try to control their addicted loved ones, which can sabotage the recovery process. Nar-Anon helps families realize that they cannot control a person’s addiction, and it reminds them to take care of themselves.
Families Anonymous
Having a loved one with an active addiction can be a challenging experience for family members. This is why families of addicts need support groups. These groups provide a safe environment where they can share their experiences and learn from other members who have gone through similar situations. Meetings for Families Anonymous are held throughout the country and offer a variety of resources and discussion topics. These meetings usually begin with a prayer and then focus on discussing common adversities that families of addicts face.
Meetings for Families Anonymous are free to attend and are based on the twelve step program used by Alcoholics Anonymous. The group also provides literature and other resources for families of people who have addictions to alcohol or drugs. It offers support to parents, siblings, grandparents, spouses, and children of addicts, as well as extended family members. There are also groups for adolescents that focus on specific issues, such as excessive caretaking or self-esteem problems.