How to Help A Person who is Addicted to Drugs?

Assisting a loved one struggling with drug addiction is often a heartbreaking journey. It could be so overwhelming at times that ignoring seems to be the better option. However, ignoring the situation can be damaging not only to yourself but also to your family. Irrespective of how painful the condition is, it is crucial to encourage your loved ones to get assistance. Whether the substance of abuse is a prescription drug or an illegal substance, you cannot force an addict to stop abusing it. However, there are better ways to provide support to help them recover from addiction.

How to Talk to A Person About Their Addiction

Beginning a conversation with an addict about their situation is not easy, but it is necessary to be compassionate and understanding. Remember, no one wishes to be an addict. Most cases originate from an attempt to cope with some mental conditions or painful issues. Stress is a risk factor for addictive behavior. So, shaming, demeaning, or criticizing the addicts will worsen the situation as addicts find more comfort in substance abuse. Noticing that your loved one is an addict may elicit various feelings, including anger, fear, and shock.

More so, if it is your child abusing the drug. The above emotions may further strain the communication between you and the victim. Hence, it is necessary to choose a time when both of you are sober, calm, and free of interruptions to talk. It is advisable to provide your support without judging the individual. Assisting your loved one to live a drug-free life isn’t easy, and there isn’t a magic formula to apply.

Learn About Addiction

It is easy to miss the vital signs associated with alcohol addiction unless you have sufficient knowledge of addiction. Because of the complexity of addiction, it’s okay not to have every piece of information about it instantly. However, creating time to understand your loved one and how the addiction affects them is beneficial to both of you. Also, you will be in a position to know when the individual needs help.

Encourage Them to Seek Help

Like other conditions, the earlier it is controlled, the better. Be ready to experience denials or excuses as to why the addicts can’t seek treatment. Most people feel ashamed when confronted about their behaviors and try to deny the problem. It is prudent to avoid arguments with your loved ones and revisit the matter another time. Be persistent in enlightening your loved ones on the importance of seeking treatment. A single conversation is insufficient to fix the addiction problem. Remember, there isn’t a quick fix in overcoming addiction. It may require several conversations for the individual to recognize that they have a problem, and it is the most critical part of the recovery journey. However, it is advisable not to make the addicts feel ashamed or guilty. Holding an intervention for your loved ones is another option. It may be challenging to achieve. However, intervention could be the most suitable management. Consider seeking the services of a specialist to assist you in navigating the situation. Remember to emphasize that you care for the individual and that you are disturbed about their condition. You must be honest about your feelings.

Listen

Even if you disagree with the individual, it is advisable to listen to their opinion without contradicting or arguing with them. When your loved ones are heard, they will view you to be supportive and a confidant. It is also necessary to avoid punishing, bribing, threatening, or lecturing the victims. Making emotional appeals or getting angry will make the victims guiltier and reinforce the compulsive behavior.

Ensure They Address Co-Occurring Issues

Even after attaining sobriety, the risk factors that propelled your loved one to abuse drugs will still be present. If they resorted to self-medication to manage mental conditions like depression or anxiety, they might have to get healthier coping mechanisms with these disorders without resorting to addiction. For long-term sobriety, it’s necessary to manage both mental illnesses and addiction simultaneously.

Adjust Your Expectations

Each one of us is different. For one individual, recovery could mean complete abstinence from the substances. For another person, it may mean cutting back or staying drug-free most of the time. Excess rigidity in the expectations may cause disappointments and a feeling of failure, even if your loved one becomes stable. Call us today at 732-392-7311 to assist you, or your loved one attain sobriety.

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