When it comes to recovery from addiction or alcoholism, even the strongest and most driven people find that they simply can’t stop using on their own. But while many addicts and alcoholics are extremely independent and refuse to ask for help with their problem, most don’t realize that they couldn’t maintain their drug or alcohol use or their own. Even highly functioning users find that their substance abuse is made possible by the help – in one way or another – of someone else in their life. This person is called an enabler, and can be one of the most significant obstacles to recovery. Conversely, the enabler can also be the very person who leads the addict away from drugs and into addiction treatment.

According to Colorado State University; “The enabler is the person who allows substance abuse to continue by “saving” the abuser from the consequences of his or her actions. For example, if an alcohol-dependent teen doesn’t come home on time, an enabler would likely make excuses to other family members for that absence.” However, the enabler can sometimes be as destructive in their behaviors as the addict. Some enablers have been known to regularly purchase drugs or alcohol for the user, to make excuses for or hide the severity or frequency of use, cover up abusive situations, lie to prevent the user from suffering legal consequences, and in some cases assume the blame for problems caused by the user.

The enabler can be anyone close to the user. This includes a parent, spouse, sibling, grandparent, uncle, aunt, friend, girlfriend/boyfriend, neighbor, teacher, employer, co-worker or anyone else who helps to make the user’s substance abuse problem possible. The problem with most enablers is that in general they believe they are helping the user by protecting them from harm or somehow managing the addiction to mitigate and minimize the consequences. But while this behavior may seem to temporarily aid the user, eventually it will only make things worse as the enabler falls farther and farther into the pattern of their role.

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Recent treatment for addiction or alcoholism can suddenly complicate efforts to find new employment or retain existing employment. And while few people actually “like” to go to work, the fact of the matter is that for many humans, it is healthier to work each day than it is to do nothing. This is especially true for people who have recently completed a drug rehab program. Working is critical to the health of a long-term recovery plan, and without it many addicts will quickly relapse out of boredom or depression. But though work is crucial for recovering addicts and alcoholics, it can pose risks of relapse as well. Therefore it is important to find the right employment that is buoyed by a strong recovery support network.

One of the most significant issues for many businesses is reputation management. As a result, some companies may be quick to get rid of people with drug or alcohol problems so as to disassociate the business from the individual. Therefore, it is often the personal reputation of an addict that can make it difficult to return to the workforce after treatment for addiction. People do disturbing things and behave erratically while in the throes of active addiction and this can lead to long-term personal reputation problems and complicate efforts to find work. However, this appears to be mainly a problem on the part of the employer, based on a study reported by Law Care:

“A study in Oregon in the USA followed 55 alcoholic lawyers. In the five years prior to seeking help for their problem, these lawyers had 83 malpractice claims filed against them – an annual rate of 30%. In the five years following recovery this fell to 21 claims, or 8%. Interestingly, this was lower than for the general population of lawyers. The comparable malpractice rate in the state was 13.5%.” This means that some people that have recently quit drinking or boozing may be more stable, dedicated and loyal than those employees in the general population.

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For those who are suffering with alcohol or drug addictions, being able to recognize the symptoms may be the one of the most painful processes any individual or family may go through. Alcoholism is a troublesome illness that can be treated when properly diagnosed. Alcoholism is very destructive in a person’s life and can affect many different aspects of the individual’s ability to perform normal daily activities. Being able to maintain steady employment along with a social life can become challenging when alcohol begins to take over in a person’s life. Alcohol can also become very damaging to their health and well-being as well. Many men and women have lost their lives way to soon due to alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

Unfortunately, the same thing can be said about those who find themselves abusing drugs, whether they are legally prescribed or illegally obtained. Drug abuse can be life threatening if the person who is suffering from the addiction is not seeking out professional help for the problems they are having. Not only is drug abuse dangerous for the individual’s health but it too can become disruptive in the person’s ability to work and socialize with family members, friends, and co-workers. It is also a very expensive habit that will lead many people into a life of criminal activity along with other things the person would normally not find themselves doing if they had not become so dependent on the drugs.

There is help for people who are suffering from these serious life threatening diseases. Rehabilitation centres are located throughout the world and offers a variety of addiction treatment options. Getting help for yourself or your loved ones can not only be lifesaving for your loved ones but for many of these rehabilitation centres the process is done in confidentiality. One of the main reasons many who are suffering from alcohol addiction don’t get the help they need is because they are too embarrassed to admit their weaknesses. If those seeking to get the help that is needed are able to eliminate some of the obvious reasons that people refuse to get the help they need then they are more likely to begin the recovery process with a positive attitude. Anyone who is familiar with the process knows that those who need drug rehabilitation the most are the ones who are least likely to go out to get it on their own. The same can be said for those who are suffering from alcohol problems because alcoholism treatment may seem like it is not right for them or that they are not as bad as others who have received alcohol rehab.