Supporting families of addicts starts with recognising how difficult it is to watch someone you love struggle. Living with an addict can feel overwhelming, confusing and emotionally exhausting. You may constantly wonder how you can help an addict despite feeling stressed and needing support yourself. There’s a very real emotional toll that comes from living with or helping an addict. With professional support for families of addicts, you can make a meaningful difference in your life and theirs.
WHO THIS PAGE IS FOR
At David McCarthy Counselling, we specialise in providing support for families of addicts who feel trapped and helpless as their loved ones’ addictions spiral out of control. When you feel like you can’t deal with the reality of watching addiction control your loved one’s life, David combines education, professional experience, and life experience to support you during this difficult time.
Addiction takes on many forms, from alcoholism and codependency to struggles with drugs, gambling, or porn addiction. Seeing your family member or partner lose themself is never easy. Our approach to support for families of addicts also includes addiction family support, helping you understand your role while learning healthier ways to respond.
A LIVED EXPERIENCE
Often family members have “had enough” and feel totally powerless to make changes for themselves and their loved ones. David runs an introductory information session over two hours. In this session he covers three main topics that are imperative to create lasting change in your family.
Once you have a grasp of these concepts, David will work with you on an ongoing basis to assist you in creating the changes you desire.
These topics are:
01Addiction as A Disease of The Brain
Understand the science behind addiction and why willpower alone is rarely enough to create lasting change for your loved one.
02The Adaptive Cycle of Behaviour in The Addicted Family
Recognise the patterns that families fall into and how these cycles can unintentionally sustain addiction over time.
03Enabling
Learn what enabling looks like in everyday life and how to replace it with healthier, more supportive responses.
Codependency often develops when you’re living with an addict. Instead of focusing on your own needs, you prioritise those of your partner or family member. Your mood becomes based on their actions and behaviours.
Codependency is closely linked to enabling behaviour. For example, if your partner who struggles with alcoholism promises to stop after one last bottle and you buy it, you’re enabling that behaviour. Despite coming from a place of love, codependency can reinforce the addiction over time.
Addiction counselling, including codependency therapy, is an effective way to learn how to set boundaries and receive support for families of addicts. Ongoing support for families of addicts can help you break these patterns and regain a sense of control and independence.
Common signs include:
- Guilt around prioritising yourself
- Minimising your needs and desires
- Low self-worth
- An inability to say no
- Finding it difficult to make decisions on your own
SUPPORT THAT WORKS
Structured support gives families the understanding and tools they need to create lasting change.
WHERE TO START
Helping someone with addiction is a process. These steps give you both the best chance at a positive outcome
“I know what it is like to live with an out of control addicted family member, I also know what it is like to be that out of control and addicted family member”.
Different treatment options suit different people. We may all suffer the same afflictions but we are all ultimately individuals. Depending on your individual needs, the following treatment options or a combination thereof are available.
Individual counselling and psychotherapy
David works 1-1 with people suffering addictions wanting to get well and with family members wanting to create change.
Addiction focused group psychotherapy
Also known as "process group therapy", this highly specialised approach to recovery occurs in groups amongst peers with a trained facilitator.
Family member focused group psychotherapy
Available for groups of family members of struggling loved ones. This provides an opportunity for change at our very core while surrounded by community.
Online or face to face meetings
All services are delivered both on-line through video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and FaceTime, or at David's Balmain based Counselling Practice.
The journey
Don’t over think it. Starting is the hardest part. This involves recognising that what you are doing isn’t working.
Don’t let fear get in the way. Let’s introduce ourselves and see if we are the right fit for one another.
It’s time to make a change. Book in for your first session by phone, email or right here on our website.
Take practical steps at your own pace without someone telling you what to do. Create the life you want to be a part of.
LIFE CAN GET MUCH EASIER. RIGHT NOW.
Helping someone with addiction is a long process, but there are support systems available. If you have any questions, get in contact with us today.
How can I help a family member with an addiction?
Living with an addict and supporting someone you love can feel overwhelming. If you’re searching for how to help an addict or how to help someone with addiction, the best thing you can do is seek professional addiction counselling for yourself. Support for families of addicts includes counselling to help you understand enabling behaviour and avoid relational codependency patterns. This kind of support for families of addicts helps you communicate more healthily.
What is codependency and how do I know if I’m suffering with it?
Codependency happens when your thoughts and emotions revolve around managing someone else’s addiction. You can feel responsible for their choices and ignore your own needs. If you cover up an addict's behaviour, constantly worry or feel guilty when you set boundaries, you are likely experiencing symptoms of codependency. Therapy can help you understand these patterns and rebuild healthier boundaries through support for families of addicts.
Is there counselling available for partners of alcoholics?
Yes. DM Counselling offers dedicated support for family members, including partners of alcoholics. If you are living with an alcoholic or thinking “my wife is an alcoholic” or “my husband is an alcoholic”, you’re not alone. Counselling offers a confidential space to process your experience, understand addiction and receive support for families of addicts. Counselling also provides strategies to protect your own mental health while supporting your loved ones.
What is enabling behaviour and should I be worried about it?
In short, yes. Enabling behaviour means unintentionally making it easier for a loved one to continue their addiction. This includes providing money, minimising the problem, making excuses or avoiding the hard decisions and conversations. Through family support for addiction, you can learn to spot enabling behaviour and replace it with a healthier response. Family support counselling is a key part of support for families of addicts, helping you replace them with healthier approaches.
Can family members access telehealth counselling sessions?
Yes, you can access help for families of alcoholics and addiction support from home or remotely. This is particularly helpful if you live with an addict or your loved one is unaware you’re seeking support or if you live far from major cities like Sydney. Online counselling is just as effective as in-person consultations. Sessions are confidential and can help whether you are thinking “my child is an addict” or are struggling to cope with a loved one’s addiction yourself. You can access support for families of addicts remotely.
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