Signs Someone Is Enabling an Addiction

Enabling an addiction can be harmful for those who are struggling, as well as the enablers themselves. Someone who is contributing to a loved one’s continued self-destructive behaviors could be considered to be enabling them.

This can take many forms, and it may sometimes be unintentional. Enabling usually occurs in a loving place. However, it contributes to codependency and can make for an unhealthy relationship between the person struggling and the person who is contributing to, or enabling, the addiction to continue.

What Does Enabling Look Like?

As previously stated, enabling an addiction can take many forms. Understanding some ways that someone may be contributing to the maladaptive behaviors their loved one is exhibiting can help to change the circumstances. In the beginning, providing a loved one who is struggling with financial help or with shelter may seem like helping them get on their feet.

However, continuing to be a safety net for them, so they can continue these destructive behaviors, is contributing to their addiction. The reality is, loved ones often want to save the person who is struggling.

By enabling them to continue using drugs and alcohol, it provides them with the means and capability to manipulate those who are helping them. In the end though, the individual struggling with addiction has to make a decision to help themself.

Signs of Enabling

The signs of enabling behavior that someone should look out for in the event they suspect themselves of enabling a loved one can include:

Avoidance: turning to work, school, exercise, food etc in order to avoid facing problems with their loved one and maintain peace.
Denial: avoiding admitting there is a problem with a loved one.
Justification: agreeing with the person’s justifications for their destructive behaviors.
Minimalizing: thinking the loved one’s addiction is “not that bad”.
Control: attempting to withhold money or car keys, controlling who they can and can’t see/hang out with.
Using with them: using with or allowing the addicted loved one to use at home in order to “keep an eye” and make sure they are safe.
Taking their responsibilities: watching their kids, paying their bills, and providing them food and shelter so they can continue using drugs and alcohol.

How to Stop Enabling

Often, those displaying signs of enabling behavior need to seek help in order to end the behavior. There are different options that can foster healing and help break these behaviors. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) can help to retrain the brain from using negative thoughts and behavioral patterns into using healthy and positive ones.

There is also the existence of recovery programs that can assist with codependency. Codependents Anonymous (CoDA) could be beneficial to learning to set healthy boundaries and break the cycle of destruction within a relationship.

Staging an Intervention

Staging an intervention is a constructive way that someone could put a stop to enabling an addiction. Providing a safe space, with a professional, to fully express feelings surrounding a loved one’s behavior can help the person enabling them to begin setting healthy boundaries. It also encourages the loved one to accept professional help in order for them to heal and begin recovering from their addictions.

Establishing Boundaries

Healthy boundaries are essential for someone who has an addicted loved one. These boundaries will not only help the person who is struggling with drugs and alcohol to begin seeking help to get better, but it can also provide a sense of peace for their loved ones.

Setting healthy boundaries and sticking to them can help an individual to restore order in their life that has been disrupted by their loved one’s addiction.

Talking to a Loved One About Rehab

Rehab is a beneficial option for those individuals who are struggling with substances. It helps to remove the substances safely and effectively, as well as begin the process of healing. Rehab can help provide a stable and productive foundation to loved ones beginning life without drugs and alcohol. It is important to note a rehab that can help a loved one address their specific needs is crucial to them being able to receive the right help and support.

Tough Love

Tough love can be hard to implement. When a loved one can stand their ground, hold their boundaries, and stop their enabling behavior, it is often a turning point in the life of the individual who is struggling. When they realize the person who has contributed to their use for a long period of time has stopped, this can lead to them getting much-needed help in order to recover.

Treatment and Therapy Help Makes a Difference

Enabling a loved one who is struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol can be detrimental to them. Any individual who is struggling with substances can seek professional help and begin to heal and break free from the chains of addiction. Finding the right kind of care for someone struggling makes a difference in their lives.

At Empowered Recovery Center, we provide care for these individuals. Our addiction treatment center’s team of trained professionals strives to provide this much-needed care in order to make the process easier and safer for those struggling.

Call us today and help your loved one begin a journey of recovery.

Program Links

It’s time to reclaim your life

Contact our team to find out how we can help you

(678) 737-4386

Read Our Reviews

    
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Jacob 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great group of people with their heart in the game. ERC helped me out tremendously after a relapse.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ryan Blei 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Empowered Recovery Center has truly been a life-changing experience for me. I entered the program last June and remained in treatment for a full year. Throughout that time, I experienced a level of care, compassion, and professionalism that sets this facility apart. My first meeting was with Rob, the Director of Operations. From day one, he made me feel welcome, helped me get settled in, and clearly explained what to expect from the program. Whenever I needed assistance, Rob consistently went above and beyond to make sure I had the support I needed. I was also incredibly fortunate to work with my therapist, Christine. She was exceptional in helping me process my emotions and identify the underlying issues that contributed to my addiction. Beyond our therapy sessions, she was always willing to listen, offer guidance, and provide support whenever I was struggling with personal challenges. The group therapy sessions were outstanding. The facilitators created an environment where everyone felt heard while keeping discussions productive, focused, and meaningful. Their guidance played a significant role in my recovery journey. Having been to treatment approximately ten times over the years, I can honestly say that Empowered stands out as one of the best recovery facilities I have ever attended. The genuine care, dedication, and commitment the staff have for their clients are evident every single day. I want to give a special thank you to Michael, Daniel, and Al. Their groups were incredibly impactful, and their passion for recovery and helping those still struggling with addiction is truly inspiring. They are committed to carrying the message of hope to anyone seeking recovery. Thank you, Empowered, for everything you've done for me. Your support has made a lasting impact on my life, and I will always be grateful for the role you played in my recovery journey
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Denise Adams 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I was at a crossroads seven months ago.  Thank my HIGHER POWER I chose the road that lead me to Empower. Had it not been for the staff,  Robert, Cody, Chandler ( my "Group Alarm Clock LOL, Emily (my group McGuyver lmao), Autumn, my Nurse Kelly, and my fellow " Groupies"/Ant, Liz, Kenny, Ray Kayla,  Gretchen and the rest, I don't know where I'd be.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Gibson Ide 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. From first hand experience Empowered is an amazingly run facility. Staff members that are passionate about being helpful and useful to all clients and residence. They provide a strong and safe structure for those seeking helping with treatment and overall growth towards being a better human being! THANK YOU EMPOWERED!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Ivan Mosley 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wonderful place. Great counsolers and therapists. I really leaned a lot at this program, and feel like it really set me up to thrive out in the world. Everyone there, including other clients, helped me through a family tragedy. I still stop by every now and again. I would recommend this place to anyone who is coming out of an inpatient treatment center looking for a long term IOP program.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jessica Cain 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Empowered Recovery Center truly changed my life. When I came through the doors, I was in one of the darkest places I’d ever been. The staff met me with compassion, encouragement, and accountability every step of the way. The program gave me the tools, support, and confidence I needed to build a strong foundation for recovery. I never felt like just another client. I felt genuinely cared for by people who wanted to see me succeed long after I graduated. Today, I’m proud to say I’m 280 days sober, and I know Empowered Recovery Center played a huge role in helping me get here. Recovery isn’t easy, but having the right people in your corner makes all the difference. I will always be grateful to everyone at Empowered Recovery Center for believing in me when I needed it most. If you’re considering getting help for yourself or a loved one, I can’t recommend them enough. Choosing this program was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lexi Baker 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Empowered focuses on care and growth and by far lived up to their name. Everyone I have seen come out of this program has been empowered to continue the practices they learn here. I love the community and the people who make this facility a safe space.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Yvonne Key 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. For Dylan - the work that is done here not only saves lives, but saves families. Thank you for everything you do.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lacia Dyer 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was a great experience! From inpatient to outpatient. We did a lot of group therapy and a lot of 1 on 1. I would highly recommend. The passion to get better is there with Enpower if you want the help! Time flies when you are actually doing the work and getting to the root of what put you there in the first place! Thankyou to all the staff! Miss you all very much! With love - Lay Lay (: