Wen an addict’s friends or family contribute to continuation of an addiction, either intentionally or otherwise, is known as dependency, or enabling. The addict might have a partner who also uses. They might also have a grandparent who gives them money. Or the addict is supported with drugs or alcohol just so they don’t fall into dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Whatever the type of enabling, intentionally or otherwise, it’s incredibly unsafe on the part of the enabler to persist in influencing, paying for, or supporting the addicts in addiction.
There are many good examples of enabling on the show Intervention, and each is more difficult to watch than the last. Most notably, Ed and Bettina, a couple in their 50’s who have each developed an alcohol addiction late in life. The two continue to influence each other’s addiction, buying booze, supporting each others level of consumption, and generally creating a more and more dangerous living situation that is supported and dependent upon alcohol in order to function.
It’s difficult to understand why people become dependent on another person for drugs or alcohol. Some believe that addicts are immature and incapable of handling themselves on their own. Others know that the addiction is so deeply ingrained that it’s impossible for the addict to be away from drugs. Family members would rather the addict use at home, than use in a dangerous situation or on the streets. Research has shown that practicing acceptance prevents against relapse. A positive association with relapse and the understanding that addiction takes a great deal of time, and family involvement, pushes a recovering addict to accept what has happened and move on with recovery.
On another note, addiction can be a result of abuse in the home, or general relationship problems. 47% of women state that they use because of difficulty in their romantic relationships. Emotional situations related to romantic strife surely produce anxiety and depression in those women who are susceptible. Often, the process of using to deal with these issues becomes a self-medicating cycle.
