Dealing with addiction is tough at any age, but as the opioid crisis rages on, more and more of the aging population are affected by prescription drug abuse. As the partner of someone who’s struggling with addiction it can be hard to know what to do. Although you may want to support your partner, it can be challenging to ensure you’re not enabling them. These tips can help you understand addiction and how to provide the support and encouragement they need to find recovery.
Talk About It with Your Partner and Their Doctor
Approaching your partner in a non-judgmental manner is critical. Let them know you’re concerned about their physical and mental health and ask how you can help. If you attend doctor’s appointments with them or you’re authorized to speak with their health care providers or homecare agency, bring it up with them. A full physical and psychiatric evaluation can also help to find and treat any underlying conditions that may be co-occurring with addiction.A physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant can recommend resources to get your partner the help you need.
Encourage Them to Seek Treatment
Although treatment tailored specifically for the elderly isn’t all that prevalent, there are plenty of addiction resources for people of all ages. Your partner’s physician or homecare agency can refer you to a substance abuse professional to provide support and additional recovery resources. Support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous can help your partner feel less alone in their struggle and put them on the path to recovery. Seeing a counselor for talk therapy is also beneficial. If your partner requires medical detox and needs more extensive treatment, look into in-patient care in a licensed rehab facility.
Look for Alternatives
If your partner is suffering from chronic pain or another condition that led to them taking opioids and becoming addicted, there may be other options to treat their symptoms. Encouraging them to explore homeopathic treatments such as acupuncture may help your partner realize that there are other ways to deal with chronic pain besides taking prescription drugs. These types of treatments can also be beneficial as your partner engages in the recovery process.
Seek Support
While it’s admirable to support your partner, making sure you have the support you need is important too. Groups like Nar-anon provide compassionate support for friends and families of addicts. It’s easy to get wrapped up in your partner’s problems and if you don’t care for yourself, eventually you will become burned out. You’ll be surprised at what a relief it can be to share your challenges with others who understand where you’re coming from. Individual talk therapy and speaking with a close friend or family member you trust can help too.
Take Care of Yourself
Living with addiction can be draining and chaotic. It’s critical to keep in mind that you can’t force someone to stop or seek treatment. The only actions you can control are your own. Make sure to take time for yourself to do the things you enjoy, whether it’s reading, catching a movie, taking a walk or spending time with your grandkids. Focusing on your needs and seeking support can help you better cope with your partner’s issues while protecting your own physical and mental health.
Consider Hiring a Caregiver
If you work outside the home, need to get out more often, or require assistance taking care of your loved one, Home health care professional for a home care agency can help take some of the weight off your shoulders. They can help with everything from medication management to helping with daily tasks like bathing, cooking and housekeeping. Whatever you decide, you can rest assured that seeking services from a reputable home care company can help you cope and assist your loved one on the path to healing from addiction.
