Relational Challenges of an Addict pt. 2

Social impairment is a cause of concern for one who is recovering from a substance abuse addiction. Most users experienced being intoxicated during a great deal of their social gatherings so being sober may present some social awkwardness at those future gatherings.

Genograms can also be helpful when
exploring your relationships with others.

Social skills training is a significant portion of recovery as it will help to build healthy relationships with new/old friends or acquaintances.

You also may have some relationship repairing to do with those that have suffered the brunt of some of your anti-social activities while intoxicated or chasing after your next high. Building trust with those parties will be difficult but not impossible if you can admit that there is a substance abuse problem and a desire to work on building new social skills.

Being around a group of friends or relatives that use substances can be challenging as well when your trying to straiten your life out.  Alcohol, cocaine, or heroin may still be available within your social circles.  If saying no to your friends presents a problem then learning new social skills will be important in making this life transition.  Becoming more assertive with expressing your feelings and thoughts about your new lifestyle can help you to maintain your relationship yet still communicate clear boundaries.

A counselor/therapist will role play scenarios that may come up in the future with friends so that you can boost your confidence when in the moment; which will make the chances of recovery more successful. Group therapy is another way to develop social skills due to listening to others' challenging situations and learning how they successfully managed to say no.

Those that are recovering from a Substance Abuse Disorder that meet the criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition have a diagnosis due to the regular use of alcohol/drugs that causes significant impairment "based on evidence of impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological criteria" (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and was last updated on 6/17/2015).  The specifics of the disorder can be explained in the hyperlink. 

Tony Nichols

 --I find joy in helping other's experience hope and peace in their life.