Every September, Recovery Month offers us a poignant reminder of the challenges, triumphs, and ongoing journeys of individuals and families navigating the path of addiction recovery. It’s a time to reflect on the impact of substance use disorders, celebrate the strength of those who choose recovery, and acknowledge the vital role of families and communities in this process.
My own story, from a harrowing 15-year battle with opioid addiction to over 38 years of sobriety and a rewarding career as an Addictions Therapist, embodies the essence of Recovery Month. What I know for sure is this: recovery doesn’t happen in isolation. It requires informed, compassionate support—and families play a crucial role.
The Fine Line Between Helping and Enabling
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the difference between helping and enabling. Families often want to do everything they can to support their loved one, yet many find themselves enabling—sometimes even when they know they’re doing it.
- Helping means encouraging recovery and independence: supporting treatment plans, attending family therapy sessions, and setting and maintaining healthy boundaries.
- Enabling, though usually well-intentioned, happens when family members do for the addict what they could and should do for themselves—like covering up mistakes, making excuses, or providing money that fuels addictive behaviour.
This distinction is key, because enabling actually prolongs the addiction, while helping lays the groundwork for change.
Boundaries: The Key to Breakthroughs
At Love With Boundaries, we know that families need just as much healing and support as the addict. That’s why we developed 16 Steps to Boundaries & Breakthroughs—a compassionate, step-by-step online group coaching program for women to help themselves and their families stop enabling and start reclaiming their own lives.
Some of these steps include:
- Recognizing what’s in your control—and what isn’t. You cannot make your loved one stop using, but you can choose how you respond.
- Setting and maintaining healthy boundaries. Boundaries are not punishments; they are loving, respectful ways to protect yourself and create the possibility of real change.
- Practicing Self-Care without guilt. When you look after your own emotional and physical health, you’re in a stronger position to respond to your loved one with clarity instead of chaos.
- Finding your voice. Learning how to communicate your limits consistently—and from a place of love—helps you step out of fear and into strength.
These steps aren’t about “giving up” on your addicted loved one—they’re about breaking the cycle of enabling and creating the space for recovery to happen.
Tips for Families During Recovery Month
- Educate Yourself. Addiction is a choice—and so is recovery. By allowing loved ones to experience the consequences of staying in addiction, families make it possible for change to occur.
- Encourage Treatment. While the decision ultimately belongs to the addict, your support and encouragement matter greatly.
- Get Support for Yourself. Counselling and group work can give you the grounding you need to set and maintain healthy boundaries.
- Practice Self-Care. Supporting someone in addiction is emotionally exhausting. Your well-being is essential.
Honouring the Journey of Recovery
Recovery Month is also about honouring the courage of those who choose sobriety—every single day. My journey from opioid addiction to a life of service shows that recovery IS possible! And with the right support, families can find peace, stability, and strength, no matter where their loved one is on their recovery journey.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
If you’re struggling with how to help your loved one without enabling their addiction, we invite you to join our Group Counselling Program. Together, we’ll guide you through the 16 Steps to Boundaries & Breakthroughs, give you tools to reclaim your own life, and show you how to support your addicted loved one in a healthy, sustainable, and joyful way.
👉 Click here to register for our group counselling and start your own journey to healing today.
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