The challenge of addiction is that it affects not only the addict, but also their family and friends. It can be difficult to know how to help someone who is struggling with an addiction, but there are steps that can be taken to support them. Here are seven tips for helping an addicted family member or friend. The first step is to talk to a health professional. This can be more effective than listening to advice from a family member or friend, as they may be able to provide more information and resources.
It is also important to take care of yourself while helping someone with an addiction, as it can be emotionally draining. Criticizing or embarrassing the person with the addiction will not help them in their recovery. Seeing an addiction professional, such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, a social worker, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, or an interventionist, can help you organize an effective intervention. An intervention can motivate someone to seek help for addictions, and an addiction professional will be able to suggest the best approach for the particular circumstances. Compassion is also important when helping someone with an addiction.
Programs such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing can help people think about how their lives will improve by ending their addiction. It is also important to learn about the person's addiction and find resources that may help them change their mind about seeking help. Addiction therapy using CBT focuses on helping people understand how their beliefs and feelings influence their behaviors. Recognizing these general descriptions and behavior patterns is a part of how to help an addict without training them. These seven tips can help family members and friends support someone who is struggling with an addiction.
Talking to a health professional, seeing an addiction professional, being compassionate, learning about the person's addiction, and finding resources are all important steps in helping someone with an addiction.