Self-Help Manual For Relatives of Substance Abusers 110 Exercises

This manual is a self-help manual for relatives and friends of substance abusers. Its aim is to enable for the relatives, in the circumstances they are living in right now, to free their potential and focus on themselves, their lives and situation through the support of this manual and come closer to the goals and dreams that they have. Relatives of substance abusers are affected in different ways and to different degrees of drug use consequences. In almost every society alcohol problems are the most common, but there are many forms of abuse - narcotics, medicines, gamble, food, sex and so on.
Relatives of substance abusers often take responsibility for the abusers life to the point that it has been at the expense of their own energy and quality of life. Relatives often live under high stress and anxiety. They are doing everything in their power to help their loved ones to a better life. But with alcohol and drug problems often comes denial, and the relative is greeted by a cold hand to his efforts to save the addict. If you are a relative you have probably tried all you can to get your loved one to understand the consequences of addiction, but have the feeling that you can not reach your loved one.
The self-help manual is about the relatives' situation and for those who want to start a gradual process to a larger wellbeing. It provides perspectives of the relative's situation and about the relative's emancipation from abuse rollercoaster of self-help exercises for the reader.
Relatives can be affected in various ways. Often the word "co-dependency" is used to explain the behaviour patterns of a relative to a substance abuser and those who are emotionally affected by the abuser. The expression of co-dependency can be very different for different individuals. The situations and life circumstances can be different - perhaps the relative is your child, your parent or another member of your close family. It can be your husband or wife, or it can be somebody you are working with daily or a close friend. The relationship could be new or perhaps you have lived with the substance abuser all your life. Maybe he or she is the father or mother to your children.
The author Carina Bång has extensive experience in motivating people with substance abuse problems to change and supporting families to cope with the situation. She will guide the reader through reflection exercises to help the relative. Carina has a Bachelor's degree in Criminology and is a certified ACC-coach (International Coach Federation). She is a professional trainer in Motivational Interviewing and member of MINT. Carina wrote this manual because she is convinced that it is time to put the relatives and their health in focus and that everybody in the family will benefit from this.

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