If someone you love is abusing drugs, here's what you can do to help them overcome their addiction and, at the same time, take care of themselves. The challenge of addiction is that the addict is not the only one affected by this disease. Family and friends may struggle with the addict's behavior, financial problems, legal problems, and the daily struggle to provide for a loved one. Here are seven tips that family and friends can consult to support an addicted family member or friend.
Some people find that when they seek help for themselves, the person struggling with addiction becomes angry. For example, Mayo Clinic offers a variety of addiction services and has a comprehensive team approach to treating addiction. To talk to others who have similar problems, think about SMART Recovery Friends %26 Family, which offers secular, science-based support group meetings (both online and in person) to help people affected by drugs, alcohol, or other addictions. An intervention can motivate someone to seek help for alcohol or drug misuse, compulsive eating, or other addictive behaviors.
Embarrassing or criticizing a family member who is struggling with an addiction to alcohol or opioids is often counterproductive to their recovery. This page will discuss the symptoms of drug or alcohol abuse, how codependency affects these relationships, and where to find addiction help for your loved one. Many family members and friends buy food, provide financial assistance to pay court fines or lawyers, or pay rent to help someone, but it usually only prolongs the illness, since addicts can avoid the consequences. During family therapy, family members learn what to do and what not to do to help better support their loved one during recovery from drug addiction.
When you learn to help an alcoholic family member or loved one with any other type of addiction, being compassionate is also a great way to help build trust, which is crucial for a successful and lasting recovery. An evaluation by an addiction professional helps determine the extent of the problem and identifies appropriate treatment options. The best ways to help a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol may seem contradictory, especially for people who struggle with codependent relationships. American Addiction Centers (AAC) can help you find the best drug and alcohol treatment centers near you and understand your options.
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. Encouraging your loved one to seek some form of professional help for addiction is a positive step in recovering from drug and alcohol abuse can put you on the path to a sober life. There are signs and symptoms to consider that could indicate that your loved one needs help with a substance use disorder or addiction.