32: Addiction's Impact on Family: How to Set Boundaries & Heal. Addictions Mini Series Episode 4

 In this episode of The Codependent Doctor we delve into the often-overlooked impact of addiction on loved ones who are not the ones struggling with substance use. While previous episodes have focused on the individual battling addiction, today, I want to shine a light on the emotional turmoil faced by partners, family members, and friends who find their lives intertwined with someone else's addiction. 

I begin by acknowledging the pain, exhaustion, and overwhelming feelings that can arise when you love someone with an addiction. Many listeners may relate to the experience of feeling frustrated, hurt, or emotionally drained after years of trying to help or rescue their loved ones. I discuss the importance of recognizing that while we want to support those we care about, we must also prioritize our own emotional well-being. 

Throughout the episode, I address critical questions: How can you support a loved one struggling with addiction without losing yourself in the process? What boundaries should you set to protect your mental health? And what support systems are available for those affected by addiction? 

I emphasize that reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness but a necessary step toward healing. Many people feel isolated in their struggles, believing that they should be able to manage everything on their own. However, I remind listeners that they are not alone and that there are numerous support groups available, such as Al-Anon and Codependents Anonymous (CODA), which can provide guidance and community. 

As I share insights gathered from social media interactions with individuals affected by a loved one's addiction, I highlight common misconceptions that can keep loved ones stuck in unhealthy cycles. These include beliefs such as "If I love them enough, they will change," and "It's my fault that they use." I unpack these myths and provide the reality behind them, emphasizing that addiction is a complex disease that requires professional help and personal accountability.

I also discuss the importance of setting boundaries, providing practical examples to help listeners understand how to protect their emotional well-being while still offering support. Boundaries around financial support, communication, behaviors in the home, and involvement in their loved one's problems are all crucial for maintaining a healthy dynamic. 

Finally, I outline various support groups available for family mem

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🎵 Music: Touching the Air by Graceful Movement -
addiction and recovery, focusingmainly on the person struggling
with the addiction, but today Iwant to shift the conversation,
because addiction doesn't justaffect the person using.
It affects everyone around them.
If you've ever loved someonestruggling with addiction, you
know how painful, exhausting andoverwhelming that it can be.

(00:25):
Maybe you've spent years tryingto help or fix or rescue them,
only to end up feelingfrustrated, hurt and emotionally
drained.
Maybe you found yourselfwalking on eggshells, constantly
trying to avoid conflict.
Or maybe you've realized thatyour own needs, happiness and
boundaries have taken a backseatto their struggles.
So what can you do?

(00:50):
How do you support a loved onewhile also protecting your own
emotional well-being?
What are the boundaries youneed to set to keep from getting
hurt, and what support systemsare out there for you?
That's exactly what we'retalking about in today's episode
, because recovery isn't justfor the person struggling with
an addiction.
It's for people around them too.
So let's dive in.
Welcome to the CodependentDoctor, a weekly podcast

(01:10):
focusing on all thingscodependency.
Are you struggling to loveyourself, feeling burnt out or
having trouble forming lovingand meaningful relationships?
I can help you heal from thepast and move forward with
healthier selves, healthierrelationships and healthier,
more fulfilling lives.
Join me as we reclaim yourauthentic self.
I'm your host, a family doctorand fellow codependent, dr

(01:32):
Angela Downey.
We can do this together.
Here we go.
Hello to all my wonderfulpodcast listeners and welcome to
the 32nd episode of theCodependent Doctor.
I'm your host, dr Angela Downey, a family doctor and fellow
codependent.

(01:52):
Today's episode asks thequestion what about the rest of
us, the ones who don't haveaddictions and yet our lives are
controlled by addiction?
For the last three weeks, we'vebeen diving into addiction,
what it is, how recovery worksand the different programs that
are available to us.
But today I want to shift thefocus, because, while addiction

(02:13):
directly impacts the personstruggling with it, it also
deeply affects the people aroundthem Partners, family members,
friends and even co-workers.
So what happens when you're notthe one addicted, but you're
still caught in all that chaos?
Maybe you've spent years tryingto help fix or rescue someone
from their addiction, only toend up feeling exhausted, hurt

(02:34):
or even resentful.
Or maybe you're realizing thatyour life has started to revolve
around someone else's addiction, whether it's through enabling
people-pleasing or neglectingyour own needs.
So what do you do?
How do you support a loved onestruggling with addiction
without losing yourself in thatprocess?
What are the boundaries thatyou need to set to protect your

(02:55):
own emotional well-being, andwhat support systems are out
there for you?
Reaching out for support whenyou're dealing with loved one's
addictions can feel overwhelmingand sometimes even impossible.
It can be really hard.
Many people keep theirstruggles to themselves, either
because they don't know where toturn or they feel ashamed.
Maybe they're embarrassed oreven afraid of how change might

(03:16):
affect their family.
If you've been carrying thisburden alone, you're not the
only one.
Addiction doesn't just affectthe person struggling.
It affects everyone around them, many family members and loved
ones.
They withdraw from friends,they stop reaching out for help
and they suffer in silence.
But why?
Because they're exhausted,because they feel like no one

(03:38):
else is going to understand,because it's easier to pretend
that things are fine rather thanto admit how much they're
struggling.
Over time, this isolation canbecome its own kind of prison,
where you feel trapped or aloneand unsure of how to move
forward.
But the truth is you don't haveto do this alone.
It's easy to believe that ifyou're stronger or better at

(04:00):
managing things, that you're notgoing to need help.
Many people feel like theyshould be able to fix the
situation themselves, whetherthat means helping their loved
ones get sober, keeping thefamily together or preventing
everything from falling apart.
But addiction is bigger thanany one person.
You are not responsible forfixing someone else's addictions
.
You are, however, responsiblefor taking care of yourself, and

(04:24):
sometimes that means admittingthat you need help.
For many, the fear of whathappens next is just as
overwhelming as the addictionitself.
What if setting boundariesmakes things worse?
What if my loved one gets angryor leaves?
What if my family starts tofall apart?
These fears are completelyvalid.
Change is uncomfortable, andwhen you start prioritizing your

(04:47):
own well-being, not everyone isgoing to like it, especially if
they've been used to yousacrificing yourself for them.
But staying in the same paincycle isn't the answer either.
Healing starts when you decidethat your well-being matters as
well.
Asking for help doesn't meanthat you failed.
It means that you're strongenough to recognize that you

(05:08):
deserve support too, whetherit's talking to a trusted friend
, joining a support group orseeking therapy.
Taking that first step can bescary, but it's also the key to
breaking free from the weight ofcarrying it all alone.
You don't have to do this byyourself.
There are many support groupsout there specifically for
family members, partners andfriends of people who are

(05:29):
struggling with addiction, andthese groups can offer guidance.
They're community and practicaltools to help you set
boundaries, heal and take backcontrol of your life.
They provide a safe space whereyou can share your experiences,
learn from others and to remindyourself that you don't have to
go through this alone.
Groups like Al-Anon andCodependents Anonymous CODA for
short are just two of the manyoptions available to support

(05:52):
loved ones of addicts.
At the end of this episode, I'mgoing to go through eight
different support groups, whatthey focus on, how they can help
and where you can find them.
But before I get into thedifferent support groups
available, I wanted to take amoment to talk about something
else.
First, over the past few weeks,I've been spending time on
social media connecting withpeople who've been deeply

(06:12):
affected by a loved one'saddiction.
I've asked them questions likewhat are some of the
misconceptions or myths thatpeople need to know when they're
in a relationship with someonewho's struggling with addiction?
Need to know when they're in arelationship with someone who's
struggling with addiction.
Their answers were powerful andeye-opening and incredibly
relatable Loving someone with anaddiction can be incredibly

(06:33):
confusing and painful.
Many partners and family membersin these relationships hold on
to beliefs that feel true butactually keep them stuck in
unhealthy cycles.
So before we go over thedifferent support options, I
want to share some of the mostcommon misconceptions and the
realities behind them.
The first misconception is if Ilove them enough, they will

(06:55):
change.
When you love someonestruggling with an addiction,
it's natural to believe that ifyou just love them enough,
support them enough or try hardenough, that they're going to
get better.
But the painful truth is loveisn't enough to fix an addiction
.
Addiction is a complex diseasethat affects the brain, emotions
and behaviors.
It's not just a bad habit or alack of willpower.

(07:18):
No matter how much you care,their recovery is ultimately
their responsibility.
They have to be the one torecognize that there's a problem
, to seek help and to commit tomaking a change.
You can offer support,encouragement and compassion,
but you can't do the work forthem.
You can't make them see whatthey're not ready to see.

(07:39):
You can't force them to go torehab or attend meetings and you
can't love them into sobriety,because addiction doesn't work
that way.
Imagine someone drowning in adeep ocean, you can throw them a
life preserver, offer them helpand shout instructions on how
to swim, but they have to grabonto the life preserver and do

(08:00):
the work to save themselves.
If they refuse to reach out forhelp, no amount of love can
pull them out of that water.
This doesn't mean that youshould stop loving them, but it
does mean that you need to setboundaries and to protect your
own well-being.
Loving someone shouldn't meanlosing yourself in their
struggles.
Sometimes, the most lovingthing that you can do is step

(08:21):
back and let them takeresponsibility for their own
healing.
2.
It's my fault that they use.
When you love someone whostruggles with addiction, it's
easy to fall into the trap ofblaming yourself.
You might wonder if you couldhave done something differently.
If you had been more patient,more loving or more supportive,
maybe things wouldn't havegotten this bad.

(08:41):
But here's the truth you didnot cause their addiction.
Their choices and theirbehaviors and their struggles
are not a reflection of yourlove or your worth or anything
that you did or didn't do.
Addiction is a complex diseaseand many factors contribute to
it, including past traumas,mental health issues and genetic

(09:02):
and brain chemistry.
No amount of love or care orsacrifice on your part could
have prevented their addiction.
It is their struggle to faceand their work to do and their
recovery to choose.
You might feel responsiblebecause you've been deeply
involved in their life, pickingup the pieces when they fall or
covering up their mistakes ortrying to protect them from

(09:23):
consequences, but that's notyour job.
It's theirs.
Your responsibility is to takecare of your own well-being and
your own healing and your ownhappiness.
Letting go of guilt doesn't meanthat you stop caring.
It means you recognize that youcan't control another person's
choices.
You can offer love and support,but you can't save them.

(09:43):
That's something that only theycan do for themselves.
Three if I leave, they'll fallapart or get worse.
One of the hardest things aboutloving someone with an addiction
is the fear of what will happenif you step away.
You might feel like you're theonly thing keeping them from
completely spiraling out ofcontrol.
Maybe they've even told youthat if you leave, they'll have

(10:04):
nothing left to live for, orthat you're the only person who
truly cares.
That fear can be paralyzing,but here's the truth.
Staying in a toxic, codependentrelationship doesn't save them.
It often enables them tocontinue using.
There's a big difference betweenhelping someone and enabling
them.
Helping means supporting theirrecovery in a healthy way,

(10:27):
encouraging them to seektreatment, holding them
accountable and setting firmboundaries.
Enabling means that you'reprotecting them from their
consequences.
You're covering up for theirmistakes or sacrificing your own
well-being in the hopes thatthey'll change.
If you're constantly rescuingthem, making excuses for them or
putting their needs above yourown, they have no real reason to

(10:49):
change because their addictionisn't costing them enough.
You're absorbing the falloutinstead.
Letting go doesn't mean that youdon't care.
Walking away or settingboundaries or choosing to put
yourself first doesn't mean thatyou don't love them.
It means that you love yourselfenough to stop letting their
addiction control your life.
And while it might feel likeleaving will cause them to

(11:11):
spiral, the reality is thatthey're already spiraling.
Their addiction is alreadyharming them and you staying in
this situation isn't going tostop that.
It's just keeping you stuck inthat damage alongside them.
Sometimes the hardest but mostloving thing that you can do is
to let them face the reality oftheir addiction without your
constant support.

(11:32):
This doesn't mean that you haveto cut them off completely,
unless that's the best thing foryou to do or that's what you
want to do, but it does meanstepping back.
You set clear boundaries andprotecting your own mental and
emotional health.
At the end of the day, you'renot responsible for the recovery
only they are and you deserve alife that isn't built around

(11:53):
managing someone else'saddiction.
They just need more support,and I'm the only one who can
help.
When you love someone strugglingwith addiction, it's easy to
believe that if you just givethem enough support, that
they're finally going to getbetter.
You might think, if I stay, ifI encourage them, if I pick up
the pieces, they'll change.

(12:13):
But here's the hard truth youare not their rehab, you're not
their therapist and you're nottheir savior.
While love and encouragementcan make a big difference,
addiction recovery requires morethan just support.
It requires professional help,accountability and personal

(12:34):
effort.
No matter how much you care,you can't do the work for them.
Addiction is a disease.
It often requires therapy,medical treatment or structured
recovery programs to heal, andaccountability is key.
If you keep stepping in to fixtheir mistakes and they don't
experience the real consequencesof their actions, they're not
going to get better.
They have to want recovery forthemselves and no amount of love

(12:56):
or effort can force them tochange if they're not ready.
Believing that you're the onlyone who can help puts an
enormous burden on you and itkeeps them dependent on you
rather than taking ownership forthe recovery.
This can lead to burnout.
You exhaust yourself trying tokeep everything together
Resentment you start to feelused, unappreciated or

(13:17):
frustrated, codependent.
Your self-worth becomes tied totheir progress or their
failures.
It's okay to step back.
Letting go of the idea that youare their only hope doesn't
mean that you don't love them.
It means okay to step back.
Letting go of the idea that youare their only hope doesn't mean
that you don't love them.
It means that you'rerecognizing the limits of what
you can do.
You can support them withoutsacrificing yourself.
Instead of trying to fixeverything, focus on encouraging

(13:40):
them to seek professional help,either therapy, rehab or
support groups.
Setting healthy boundaries soyou don't get pulled into the
chaos of their addiction.
Taking care of yourself so youdon't lose your own identity in
the process.
At the end of the day, realchange has to come from them,
and sometimes stepping back andletting them take responsibility

(14:00):
is the most loving thing thatyou can do.
Five if they loved me, theywould stop.
Addiction has nothing to dowith how much they love you.
It's a powerful, powerfuldisease and it rewires the brain
and makes substances orbehaviors feel like a survival
need.
Their struggle is not areflection of their feelings for

(14:21):
you.
6.
Things will get better if Ijust try harder.
No matter how much effort youput in, you can't control
someone else's addiction.
You can set boundaries, takecare of yourself and make
changes for your own well-being,but their recovery is in their
hands.
7.
I should stay for the kids.
Many parents in relationshipswith an addict struggle with the

(14:44):
belief that staying is the bestoption for their children.
You might think if I leave, mykids are going to lose their
family.
They need both parents and it'sgoing to be too disruptive for
them.
But here's the hard truth.
Children are deeply affected byaddiction, by toxic
relationships and by emotionalinstability.
If a child grows up in anenvironment filled with

(15:07):
unpredictability, conflict,emotional neglect or substance
abuse, it doesn't just hurt themin the moment.
It shapes how they viewrelationships for the rest of
their lives.
Children absorb everythingaround them.
Even if they don't fullyunderstand addiction, they feel
the tension, they feel theinstability and the emotional
toll that it takes on the familywhen they grow up in a home

(15:29):
where addiction is present.
They're going to learn thatlove means chaos.
If they see you constantlystressed, walking around on
eggshells and cleaning up afteran addict's messes, they may
grow up thinking that this iswhat relationships are supposed
to look like.
They learn that their feelingsdon't matter If a parent is
unpredictable or emotionallyunavailable due to addiction.

(15:50):
Children may learn to suppresstheir emotions and to avoid
conflict just to keep the peace.
They learn that enabling andcodependency are normal.
Watching you overfunction,rescue or cover up for the
addicted person.
It's going to teach them thattheir job is to take care of
others at the expense ofyourself.
They learn that addiction isjust a part of life.

(16:11):
Growing up around substanceabuse increases the risk of
children developing addictionslater on in their lives, not
just the substances, but to theunhealthy relationships and
behaviors.
Leaving doesn't mean thatyou're removing the other parent
from their lives completely,unless that's necessary for
their safety.
It means creating a stable,peaceful environment where your
kids don't have to grow up inconstant uncertainty.

(16:34):
You deserve peace, and so doyour kids.
Eight.
They're not that bad comparedto other addicts.
Addictions exist on a spectrumand just because they haven't
hit rock bottom doesn't meanthat their behavior isn't
harmful.
Minimizing the problem can keepyou in a situation that
continues to drain youemotionally, mentally and even
physically.
Nine if they get sober,everything is going to be okay.

(16:58):
It's easy to believe that onceyour loved one stops drinking,
using drugs or engaging inaddictive behaviors, everything
is going to go back to normal,that the relationship will heal,
the pain will disappear andyou'll finally have the peace
that you've been hoping for.
But the reality is thatsobriety is just the first step,
and it's a big one, but itdoesn't automatically fix all

(17:22):
the damage addiction has caused.
Addiction leaves emotionaldamage, even after someone stops
using.
The emotional wounds that theycreated during active addiction
don't just go away.
There's broken trust,resentment, betrayal and
emotional neglect.
They're not going to go awayovernight.
If they've lied, stole or hurtyou emotionally, those scars

(17:43):
don't heal just because they'resober now.
If their addiction left youexhausted, anxious or walking on
eggshells, those feelings don'theal just because they're sober
now.
If their addiction left youexhausted, anxious or walking on
eggshells, those feelings don'tjust magically go away.
If your relationship becamecodependent and unhealthy, those
patterns won't change justbecause they're not using
anymore.
Sobriety doesn't mean emotionalmaturity.
A person who's struggling withaddiction may have used

(18:04):
substances to cope with stress,trauma or emotions.
Once they're sober, they maystill lack those healthy coping
skills that they need to getthrough the days.
They might struggle withemotional outbursts, anger or
shutting down when things aredifficult.
They may have difficulty takingresponsibility for any past
behaviors, even in theirrecovery behaviors.

(18:27):
Even in their recovery, theycould transfer their addictive
tendencies to other areas likeworkaholism, controlling
behaviors or unhealthyrelationships.
Recovery is an ongoing process.
Getting sober is not the finishline.
It's just the starting point.
True recovery means workingthrough the underlying issues
that fueled the addiction in thefirst place.
Just because they've stoppeddrinking or using doesn't mean

(18:47):
that they've addressed theirpast trauma, insecurities or
emotional wounds.
Many recovering addicts stillneed to learn how to communicate
and process emotions andrebuild trust in relationships.
Your healing matters too.
You may have spent yearssacrificing your own well-being
for their addiction and now it'stime to focus on your own
recovery, boundaries andself-care.

(19:08):
The relationship might notsurvive sobriety.
This is a tough reality, butsometimes, even when someone
gets sober, the relationship isstill not healthy.
The dynamic may have been builtaround addiction and once
that's removed, you may realizethat there are deeper issues
that remain.
They may focus so much on theirrecovery that they struggle to

(19:28):
give emotional support to you.
Or if the relationship wastoxic, codependent or
emotionally damaging, sobrietyalone doesn't fix those problems
.
So here's what you can doinstead Instead of believing
that sobriety will fixeverything, focus on your own
healing attending therapy,joining support groups for
yourself like Al-Anon or CODA,or setting new boundaries,

(19:51):
rebuilding trust.
Slowly Give time and space forreal emotional repair, not just
the absence of substance useObserving their actions.
Are they working on theirpersonal growth or are they just
expecting things to be normalnow?
Sobriety is a huge step in theright direction, but it's not a
magic fix for all the problemsaddiction has caused.
Healing takes time for both ofyou.

(20:14):
It's okay to celebrate theirprogress, while they're also
acknowledging that you have yourown journey of healing,
self-discovery and settingboundaries ahead of you.
I've talked a lot about settingboundaries, but you might be
wondering what does thatactually mean?
Boundaries are simply limitsthat you set to protect your
emotional well-being.
They help you avoid enablingunhealthy behaviors and create a

(20:36):
healthier dynamic in yourrelationship.
Here are a few examples ofboundaries that can help you
take care of yourself whileyou're supporting a loved one
with addiction.
1.
Boundaries around financialsupport.
I will not give you money, nomatter how much you say you need
it.
I will not pay for your rentbills or cover any financial
consequences of your addiction.

(20:56):
If you live with me, you mustcontribute financially or follow
household agreements.
Why this is an importantboundary?
Addicted individuals oftenmanipulate or guilt trip their
loved ones into financial help,but giving money often enables
the addiction rather thanhelping them recover.
Two boundaries aroundcommunication.

(21:18):
I will not answer the phonecalls or texts while you're
intoxicated or high.
If our conversation becomesdisrespectful, I will end the
call or leave.
I am happy to talk, but I willnot argue or listen to excuses
for your addiction.
Why this boundary is importantProtecting your mental and
emotional energy is reallyimportant.

(21:38):
You don't have to engage inmanipulative or draining
conversations.
Three boundaries aroundbehaviors in your home.
You can't use drugs or alcoholin my home.
If you come home intoxicated,you will not be allowed to stay.
If you are aggressive,disrespectful or violent, I will
call the police or ask you toleave.
Why this boundary is importantyour home should be a safe and

(22:01):
peaceful space, and allowingsubstance use inside can make
you feel uncomfortable or evenunsafe.
4.
Boundaries around your time andemotional well-being.
I will not cancel my plans orput my life on hold to take care
of your crises.
I need time for myself, so I'mnot going to be available 24-7
to solve your problems.

(22:21):
If you want my support, youmust also respect my needs and
my boundaries.
Why this boundary is important?
Addiction can consume your lifeif you let it.
You deserve time for yourself,for your goals and your
happiness.
5.
Boundaries around theirrecovery.
I will support you if you seekhelp, but I will not force or

(22:42):
beg you to get sober.
I will not cover up youraddiction or make excuses for
your behavior.
If you choose not to seek help,I have to step back and protect
my own well-being.
Why is this boundary important?
Recovery has to be their choice.
You can support them, but youcan't force them into it.
6.
Boundaries around yourinvolvement in their problems.

(23:04):
I will not bail you out of jail.
I will not lie for you or coverup the consequences of your
actions.
I will not take responsibilityfor your work, school or
personal obligations.
I will not take care of yourresponsibilities when you're
unable to function.
Why is this important?
When you rescue them fromconsequences.

(23:25):
They don't experience thereality of their addiction,
which makes it easier for themto continue using.
Which makes it easier for themto continue using.
7.
Boundaries around yourrelationship.
If you refuse to get help, Imay need to step away from this
relationship.
I will not stay in arelationship where I feel unsafe
, disrespected or constantlyhurt.
If your addiction continues toaffect our relationship, I will

(23:48):
have to consider separation.
Why is this boundary important?
You're allowed to prioritizeyour well-being.
If the relationship is toxic,abusive or draining, setting
strong boundaries or leavingmight be necessary.
Whatever boundaries you chooseto put in place, enforcing the
boundary is the hard part.
Setting boundaries is onlyeffective if you follow through.

(24:10):
If you say I will not give youmoney, but then you do it anyway
, the boundary is going to loseall of its meaning.
Addicted individuals may pushback, get angry, guilt trip or
test your limits, but standingfirm is crucial for both your
well-being and theirs.
Remember that boundaries arenot about punishing them.
They are about protectingyourself and creating a

(24:32):
healthier dynamic.
You can love someone and stillset limits on what you will and
what you won't accept.
One of the last myths I wantedto talk about is I'm alone in
this.
The truth is that you're notalone.
So many partners and loved oneshave been in your shoes and
found healing through therapy,support groups and breaking free

(24:54):
from codependent patterns.
Groups like Al-Anon andCodependence Anonymous and
Therapy can help you regain yoursense of self, set boundaries
and heal, whether you choose tostay or leave.
There are many programs outthere and I'm going to list them
here.
Feel free to grab a pen andpaper and see which programs
might be best for you.
Al-anon and Nar-Anon is forfamily members and friends of

(25:19):
people struggling with alcoholor drug addiction.
So for alcohol, you would belooking at Al-Anon, and for drug
addiction, you'd be looking atNar-Anon.
It offers 12-step based supportsystems where you can share
your experiences, learn aboutaddiction and find healthier
ways to cope.
It teaches you how to detachwith love, stop enabling and

(25:39):
focus on your own well-being.
So the websites for theseorganizations are wwwal-anonorg
and wwwnar-anonorg.
Codependence Anonymous CODA forshort is for people struggling

(26:00):
with codependency, peoplepleasing and enabling
relationships, including thoseaffected by loved one's
addictions.
This is a 12-step based programfocused on building self-esteem
, setting boundaries andbreaking unhealthy relationship
patterns.
It helps you focus on yourselfinstead of obsessing over trying
to fix someone else.
The website for thisorganization is wwwcodaorg.

(26:24):
Smart Recovery Family andFriends.
This is for loved ones ofpeople with addictions who
prefer a science-based approachinstead of a 12-step model.
It teaches practical tools tostop enabling, set healthy
boundaries and communicateeffectively using evidence-based
techniques like cognitivebehavioral therapy.

(26:44):
The website for thisorganization is
wwwsmartrecoveryorg.
Forward slash family FamiliesAnonymous.
This is a 12-step programsimilar to Al-Anon, and it's got
meetings for families andmembers seeking support, healing
and healthy coping mechanisms.
They can be reached atwwwfamiliesanonymousorg.

(27:11):
Adult Children of Alcoholics andDysfunctional Families.
This is a 12-step program foradults who grew up in homes that
were affected by alcoholism,drug use or dysfunction.
It focuses on breakinggenerational cycles and healing
childhood wounds that mightstill affect your adult
relationships.
Their website iswwwadultchildrenorg.

(27:34):
Learn to cope.
This is for parents andcaregivers of individuals
struggling with an opioid orsubstance addiction.
It offers education, peersupport and access to
medication-assisted treatmentresources.
The website is wwwlearn2copeorg.

(27:54):
So learn2copeorg.
Parents of Addicted Loved OnesAcronym is PAL.
This is for parents who havechildren struggling with
addiction.
It offers faith-based support,education and guidance on
helping without enabling.
Their website is wwwpalgrouporg.

(28:20):
Grasp stands for Grief RecoveryAfter a Substance Passing.
This is a grief support networkfor anyone who has lost a loved
one due to substance addiction.
It provides healing throughcommunity understanding and
grief resources.
They can be reached atwwwgrasphelporg that's

(28:43):
G-R-A-S-P-H-E-L-Porg.
Being in a relationship withsomeone struggling with
addiction is incrediblydifficult, and it's important to
remember that you have choices.
You can choose to protect yourwell-being by stepping away and
loving them from a distance, oryou can choose to stay in the
relationship while settingboundaries and prioritizing your

(29:05):
mental health.
You also have the option tocontinue as things are, but it's
important to recognize theimpact that that choice might
have on you in the long term.
The most important thing toknow is that you are not
powerless.
This is your life and only youcan decide what path is best for
your health, for your happinessand your future.

(29:26):
I wish you all a great week asyou learn to foster a better
relationship with the mostimportant person in your life
yourself.
I will meet you here next weekfor another episode of the
Codependent Doctor, when we willbe talking about addictions and
other co-occurring mentalhealth disorders.
Take care for now.
Thank you for joining me, and Ihope today's podcast resonated

(29:48):
with you.
Click, like and subscribe soyou don't miss any future
episodes and to help others whomight benefit.
This podcast is not meant toprovide medical advice and
should not replace seeing yourdoctor for mental health
concerns.
If you're having a mentalhealth crisis, please present to
a hospital, call 911 or yourlocal crisis helpline.
I'll talk to you next week foranother episode of the

(30:09):
Codependent Doctor.
We can do this together.