Enabling: A Comprehensive Review of its Clinical Implications
Abstract
Enabling is a type of dysfunctional behavior, where one person, typically an adult, enables another person’s addiction, mental illness, or other problematic behaviors. This behavior can have a wide range of clinical implications, from perpetuating the addiction or enabling behavior to creating new problems of its own. The purpose of this paper is to review the clinical implications of enabling behavior and to explore how clinicians can best address it. This paper will also discuss the implications of enabling for the family system as well as for clinicians and treatment.
Introduction
Enabling is a type of dysfunctional behavior that occurs when an individual, typically an adult, enables another person’s addiction, mental illness, or other problematic behaviors (Kerr, 2014). Examples of enabling behavior can include providing material support such as money and shelter; making excuses for the person’s behavior; providing emotional support and understanding; and minimizing or ignoring the negative consequences of the behavior. In some cases, enabling can be beneficial, such as providing a safe environment for an individual with an addiction. However, it can often have a range of negative clinical implications, including perpetuating the addiction or enabling behavior, creating new problems of its own, and creating a cycle of dependence.
Clinical Implications
Enabling behavior can have significant clinical implications for both the person being enabled and the enabler. For the person being enabled, enabling behavior can reinforce the addiction or other problematic behavior by shielding them from the consequences. This can lead to increased substance use, increased risk-taking behaviors, and difficulties in developing healthy coping skills and problem-solving strategies. It can also lead to the person becoming increasingly dependent on the enabler, leading to a cycle of dependence.
For the enabler, enabling behavior can lead to a range of negative psychological and physical health consequences. Enablers often experience feelings of guilt and shame, as well as increased stress and anxiety. They may also experience physical health problems such as increased risk of depression, hypertension, and insomnia. In addition, enabling behavior can lead to conflicts within the family system, as well as financial and legal problems.
Treatment Considerations
When treating individuals who are engaging in enabling behavior, it is important to address both the enabler and the person being enabled. For the enabler, it is important to recognize that the underlying motivation for their behavior is often to help and protect the person being enabled. Therefore, it is important to help the enabler to understand the negative consequences of their behavior, as well as to develop healthier coping strategies and problem-solving skills.
For the person being enabled, it is important to help them to recognize the negative impact of their behavior and to develop healthier coping skills and problem-solving strategies. It is also important to assess for any underlying mental health or substance use issues that may be contributing to the problem. In some cases, it may be necessary to refer the person to a higher level of care.
Conclusion
Enabling is a type of dysfunctional behavior that can have a wide range of clinical implications for both the enabler and the person being enabled. Clinicians should be aware of the potential negative consequences of enabling behavior and work to address it in their treatment of individuals who are engaging in enabling behavior.
References
Kerr, M. L. (2014). Enabling in families: The dynamics of helping and hurting. New York, NY: Routledge.