Helping a loved one who is struggling with substance use isn’t easy, and there’s no magic formula that will get your loved one to stop using. However, here are some suggestions on how to help a loved one get treatment for their drug addiction:
1. Educate Yourself About Addiction
You know what you see. Until you have knowledge about addiction and the symptoms of drug abuse, it’s easy to miss the signs that are right in front of you.
Addiction is complex, and it’s okay if you don’t know everything right away. However, taking the time to understand your loved one’s disease and how it affects them is incredibly beneficial to both you and your loved one. It also helps you be more aware of the signs that your loved one needs help.
2. Offer Your Support
People with addiction don’t always understand how much their family and friends love them. Talk to your loved one about your concerns, and don’t wait for them to hit rock bottom to speak up. Let them know that you’re going to support them on their journey to recovery.
3. Encourage Them to Get Help
As with other diseases, the earlier addiction is treated, the better. However, don’t be surprised if you’re met with denial or excuses as to why they can’t or won’t seek treatment. Be persistent about how important it is that they enter treatment for their addiction, but avoid making them feel guilty or ashamed in the process.
Another option is to hold an intervention for your loved one. Although these are often difficult to do, an intervention may be exactly what your loved one needs if they’re deep into their addiction. Consider bringing in an intervention specialist to help you navigate this process.
4. Support Recovery as an Ongoing Process
Once your loved one decides to enter treatment, it’s essential that you remain involved. Continue supporting their participation in ongoing care, meetings and participate in support groups (Al-Anon) for families of addicts. Be the support system that they need, and show them that you’ll be there every step of the way.
5. Take Care of Yourself
Although you may see this as selfish, it’s incredibly important that you’re able to be there for others and make the best decisions possible. Make sure your own needs are met by getting enough sleep, exercising and eating well. Don’t be afraid to go to therapy to get help if you find yourself struggling due to your loved one’s drug addiction.
What to Avoid When Talking to a Loved One About Addiction
When talking to a loved one about getting treatment for their addiction, here are some things to avoid:
- Preaching, lecturing, threatening or moralizing your loved one
- Emotional appeals that may increase the feelings of guilt and the compulsion to use drugs
- Lying or making excuses for their behavior
- Taking over their responsibilities — doing this protects them from the consequences of their behavior
- Enabling their behavior by covering up the abuse or giving them money for drugs
- Arguing with your loved one when they’re using drugs — during this time, your loved one won’t be able to hold a rational conversation and likely won’t be open to what you have to say
- Feeling guilty or responsible for their behavior — it’s not your fault
How we can Help:
If you feel that your loved one is abusing drugs, the best thing you can do is to encourage them to seek treatment for their addiction. Be loving and supportive, but also know that they’re likely going to make excuses for their behavior. Be firm in what you want and keep encouraging them to get help. Although this isn’t easy to do, it’s a critical first step in helping them achieve a healthy and happy life in recovery. Can-Am Interventions can be your first step to assisting the people you care about on their path to recovery.
Can-Am Interventions has been assisting individuals and families in all stages of their recovery for over 30 years. We will work directly with the patient, the family and friends to best observe the most ideal treatment plan moving forward, and will continue to guide and assist our patients, and all involved, for as long as it takes to obtain healthy recovery habits and proper daily functions are met, and beyond if desired. Please reach us, so we can help.
For More Information:
E: patti.pike@canaminterventions.com W: www.canaminterventions.com 1-800-638-1812 Toll Free Internationally
415-827-3725 Cell /Text 415-578-2875 Office