Enabling Behaviors in Families Affected by Substance Use

… more less Enabling means protecting a person from the harm their substance use causes. It is usually done out of love or fear. A partner may call in sick for them. A parent may pay their debts or bail. A family may make excuses, clean up messes, or take over chores and child care. The aim is to keep the peace or keep the family safe. The effect can be that the person never feels the cost of their use. Helping and enabling are not the same. Helping supports health and safety, like a ride to a clinic or a talk about care. Enabling hides harm, like lying to a boss. Families who enable did not cause the use, and blaming them does not help. For you, enabling is a clue about the home. Excuses from family may explain why other signs seem to vanish. But covering for someone has other causes too. A family may fear losing income, housing, or their children. A person may fear violence if they do not go along. So ask how the family is coping and what they worry about. Point them to family support groups if they want help. After this Concept you can tell helping from enabling and see what it tells you about a family.