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By Teresa Greenhill at teresa@mentalhealthforseniors.com
With the arrival of the holidays we think nostalgic, sentimental thoughts about family and friends. Sometimes those relationships aren’t as healthy as we would like them to be. If you have a parent who struggles with addiction your relationship can be especially complicated. Here is some great advice for reconnecting during the holiday season.
Find positive energy. The first step toward reconnecting with your parent is releasing your own negativity. Experts cited by Huffington Post explain that “we mask over pain we carry from unreconciled relationships that have grown as cold as the lump of coal in an unfortunate child’s Christmas stocking.” Here are some suggestions to get you started:
The scope of senior addiction. If you have a senior parent with an addiction problem, you are not alone. According to some experts, as Baby Boomers reach retirement age there is a tremendous number of seniors abusing substances. What’s more, substances are more dangerous to the elderly. Aging causes the body to be more susceptible to the effects of drugs and alcohol.
How does this happen? The experts at FamilyDoctor explain that many older adults become addicted to medications by accident. Seniors are commonly prescribed two classes of drugs that are highly addictive, opioids and benzodiazepines. The symptoms that usually give away a drug problem are easily missed in elderly patients since they can mimic conditions associated with aging, such as memory loss and confusion.
Moving forward. With proper steps you can reconnect with your parent in a healthy way. The experts at Psych Central have some excellent advice.
When your history is toxic. If your relationship is particularly strained you may find reconnecting very distressing. Maybe your parent’s addiction is deeply rooted and started long ago, or you grew up in a very dysfunctional family. If you and your parent currently maintain a toxic, messy relationship, reaching out may sound impossible. Here is advice from experts for steps toward healing.
Making a holiday connection. Reconnecting with your parent can be difficult, especially if addiction is involved. Find positive energy to adjust your perspective. Know that you are not the only one dealing with a senior parent in this situation. Understand how it could happen and begin moving forward. If your history is particularly toxic, take steps toward healing and seek help if you need it. Finding a healthy connection with your parent is possible this holiday season.
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