Addiction treatment specialists at Priory have issued guidance for people supporting a loved one with addiction, as rates of harmful alcohol consumption reach “epidemic” levels.
A national survey commissioned by Priory found that one in six people (17%) say someone in their family is currently living with addiction – yet most of those affected haven’t received any professional help (62%).
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that alcohol related deaths are at a record high, with more than 10,000 deaths registered annually in the UK from alcohol-specific causes.
Priory’s ‘Break the Chain’ campaign is aiming to raise awareness of how addiction impacts families, with consequences often impacting people throughout their lives across multiple generations.
Dr Victoria Chamorro, a Priory consultant psychiatrist specialising in addiction treatment, said: “Make no mistake, we are experiencing an alcohol addiction epidemic in the UK. Alcohol deaths are at record high levels and one in six people is now supporting a loved one through addiction.
“Helping a loved one battle addiction can be exhausting, frightening and confusing. You may be picking up extra responsibilities, feeling anxious about their safety, or torn between wanting to help them and needing to protect yourself.
“These feelings are normal. There are positive steps you can take – and some common traps to avoid – that can make things feel less overwhelming.”
Priory has issued the following guidance:
- Maintain as much normality as you can for you and any other people involved – for example, keep up routines, meals, school runs and social contact
- Focus on looking after yourself and protecting any children or other people who are being affected by the addiction
- Set and communicate clear, healthy boundaries – and review them regularly
- Get support for yourself – whether that’s trusted friends, support groups (such as Al-Anon) or a therapist
- Make time for activities that restore your energy, bring you joy and give you chance to relax
- Try to control or stop your loved one’s addictive behaviour. Recovery is their responsibility and they may need professional help
- Cover up for them – for example, lying to other people about what’s happening, making excuses for them, or hiding the consequences of their behaviour
- Enable their behaviour – for example, giving them money, paying their debts or taking on tasks they’ve neglected because of their addiction
- Stay in a situation where you or others feel physically or emotionally unsafe. Get immediate professional or emergency support if you need to
- Blame yourself for their addiction – it’s not your fault, and you can’t ‘fix’ it
The guidance is part of ‘The Reset’, a new guide issued to families going through addiction treatment at Priory.
Dr Chamorro, who supports patients at Priory Hospital Roehampton in South West London, said: “Supporting someone with an addiction is emotionally demanding, and there’s no single ‘right’ way to do it. These dos and don’ts are guidelines to help you stay safe and offer the kind of support that’s most likely to make a difference. Remember: you’re not alone, and help is available for you as well as your loved one. However hard things feel, don’t give up hope.”