When a loved one is struggling with addiction, it can be difficult to know how to help. It's important to remember that the person needs to take responsibility for their own recovery, and that you can't cover up the problems created by substance abuse. However, there are ways to provide support and encouragement that can help them on their journey to recovery. The first step is to speak with positivity and encouragement.
Let your loved one know that you care about them and are concerned for their well-being. Give specific examples of their drug-related behavior that has caused you worry, and be honest about your own feelings. It's important not to lecture or scold them, as this can do more harm than good. Attending a family reunion to follow a 12-step program is a great way to understand good habits and address them.
This will help you identify the types of behaviors that enable drug abuse, so that you can eliminate them from your lifestyle. Additionally, seeking professional help on how to approach your loved one about their addiction can be beneficial. Assistance in Recovery is a great resource in our community that offers advocates who can advise you on ways to do this effectively. These advocates can also explain the variety of treatment options available to your loved one, many of which involve the involvement of family and other people who support them.
When a person with an addiction is unwilling to seek treatment, they will resort to whatever it takes to continue to feed their addiction.