How to Set Boundaries with Addicts and Get Them the Help They Need

When I was trained in addictions treatment, I was taught that a codependent person plays a role in the addiction of the person they're connected to; and when I began to interact with clients, I was amazed at how true that was. Change the codependent, and the addict often changes as well. I was pretty impressed with the wisdom of the addiction specialists when I was a grad student.

But then, I was even more impressed when I learned that these specialists were not the first to speak of this principle. God was. Listen to this passage from Leviticus:

"Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt."

The Bible tells us that when someone needs to be confronted, we are to confront them and set limits with them, or we will "share in their guilt." In other words, we are part of the problem if we are enabling it. 

When we understand our part in a negative situation and do what we need to do, we can change the situation -- or at least change ourselves.

In my newest course on Boundaries.Me, I'm going to talk to you about how addiction affects not only the addict, but the people who are in relationship with him or her. I'll walk you through how to set boundaries and how to get the most desired outcome for all involved.

Need a safe place to relate to others about this topic? Join one of Dr. Henry Cloud's Boundaries Peer Groups. 

Boundaries in Marriage
Boundaries with Codependency
Boundaries in Dating 
Boundaries with Parents
Boundaries with Adult Children
Boundaries After Divorce
Boundaries with Narcissists
Boundaries with Kids and Teens
Boundaries in Church