By Christine Murray, HRI Director Turmoil. Despair. Chaos. Uncertainty. Anger. Confusion. Fear. When a loved one is facing an addiction, the emotional whirlwind can be intense. It’s normal for people in this situation to move rapidly between different emotions in
When Helping is Hurting: Understanding Enabling
By Heather Bland, Fellowship Hall It wasn’t like I was buying them the alcohol! I don’t understand how what I was doing was enabling. So often we think of enabling someone’s addiction or problem drinking as doing very obvious things
When Help Isn’t What They Want
By Heather Bland, Fellowship Hall What if my loved one doesn’t want to change? Often times we can see problems in our family member’s or friend’s lives before they can. It can feel as if we’re watching a freight train
Families Under Stress: How Addiction Impacts the Family
By Christine Murray, HRI Director Every September, the US Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) sponsors Recovery Month to raise awareness about the recovery process. Addiction and substance abuse not only affect the individual, but also their friends
In the Midst of Relationship Chaos: Series Conclusion
By Christine Murray, Healthy Relationships Initiative Director Relationships can be wonderful, but they can also be really, really difficult. I wish I could tell you that there is a simple formula for moving beyond relationship chaos, but the truth is
In the Midst of Relationship Chaos: Step 8: Know when to seek professional help
By Christine Murray, Healthy Relationships Initiative Director Sometimes, the support of friends and family members, along with your own coping resources, can only go so far in helping you to navigate really difficult and chaotic relationship challenges. Counseling or therapy
In the Midst of Relationship Chaos: Step 7: Reach out for support
By Christine Murray, Healthy Relationships Initiative Director It’s natural to feel alone and isolated when you’re facing chaos in a relationship with someone who’s very close to you. That person may be your primary source of support, so when that
In the Midst of Relationship Chaos, Step 6: Keep a positive attitude
By Christine Murray, Healthy Relationships Initiative Director It’s important to do your best to keep hope alive, even in the midst of the most difficult relationship struggles. Take time to develop a positive mindset, such as by reflecting on the
In the Midst of Relationship Chaos, Step 5: Practice strong relationship skills
By Christine Murray, Healthy Relationships Initiative Director In times of relationship chaos and conflict, it’s time to activate your strongest and best relationship skills. This includes an intentional effort to use positive communication skills, such as speaking clearly and thoughtfully
In the Midst of Relationship Chaos, Step 4: Set appropriate boundaries
By Christine Murray, Healthy Relationships Initiative Director Although you can’t control another person’s actions, that doesn’t mean that you should simply allow other people to continue to treat you in ways that are damaging to you, your relationship, and other