When someone has been struggling with addiction issues, they will generally have become distanced from loved ones and more interested in new people associated with their substance abuse. This can not only lead to damage to close personal relationships but also to someone fighting addiction being “enabled” to continue.

There comes a point in all our lives when we experience the loss of someone we love and care about deeply. For some, the overwhelming feelings of grief and loss that follow bereavement can trigger a return to destructive addictive behaviors. An inability to express clearly what someone is thinking and feeling, particularly when they’re not able to process those thoughts and feelings themselves, can result in a need to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs.

We all accept that addiction is a chronic disease and that a commitment to recovery is for life. When you’re on a journey of recovery from addiction, you’ll be called upon to replace your old bad habits that kept you addicted with new, healthier habits that can seriously assist your recovery process.