There is no denying that in the past few years, the rates of substance abuse have been high and continue to rise. Whether it is a friend or a family member, dealing with addiction is not easy. However, recovery is never impossible. The tricky part is to provide help to each person appropriately. Because everyone is different, guiding someone out of the addiction phase is a tough road filled with obstacles. Relapses are expected, so you will need patience and sympathy. You should also try to inspire determination for this person to get better. If you know someone struggling with addiction, here are some tips to help them on their road to recovery.
Be Educated About Addiction
The best way to start helping someone out of substance abuse is to learn more about what it entails. Unless you have the necessary knowledge about the substance abuse symptoms, you may not notice the signs in front of you. Addiction is a complex disease. Not only does it affect the patient’s life, but it also impacts their family and friends. It is ok if you are not fully aware of the issue at first. When you take time to understand the long process of addiction therapy and recovery, this will benefit you and the patient.
Motivate Them to Get Help
Like any disease, addiction can be treated with the help of professionals. Certainly, getting this idea to the table can be difficult at first. Expect to be met with a lot of excuses and denial. It is not easy for the addict to acknowledge the reality of their disease, let alone admitting themselves into rehab. You can try to be positively persistent while avoiding any shaming or guilt-tripping of your loved one. Another route you can take is holding an intervention for the patient. Some private rehab centres have intervention specialists that help ease patients into the process. These experts can help you understand precisely what to say and do to convince addicts of the importance of therapy.
Effectively Communicate with Them
Communication is key, especially in delicate cases such as substance abuse. You should let your loved one know how you feel due to their addiction problem. This will help them understand the problem from a different perspective. It may be frustrating at first, but small steps can make big changes. A person struggling with addiction is more open to the idea of recovery if you communicate with them without intimidation, blaming, humiliation, or aggression. So, you should be careful with what to say and how you approach the person.
Expect Difficulties
There are a lot of hurdles to recovering from addiction. It is normal to find addicts denying their problems and refusing to change. Many may fear real-life consequences, such as losing their jobs, money, custody, or going to prison. Some may feel ashamed to address the issue, which makes it hard to discuss their problems with someone else. Bottom line is that there is no easy way to speed up the process; it takes much determination from the addict and huge support from the people around them.
Get Support
Addiction is hard on everyone: the addict and their loved ones. It is not selfish to want support while you are trying to help an addict. In fact, it makes the process a bit easier to cope with. You should know that there are many people out there sharing the same difficulties in their lives. Many support groups can help and empower you through this journey. Because dealing with addicts can oftentimes be so stressful and draining, seeking help from a specialist can help manage the stress and anxiety you have. Counseling is not just limited to the addict; their loved ones need it as well. The more help you get, the more effectively you can support your loved one. You can search for the best counseling resources in your area or ask someone for help. You should also check if your health insurance covers any mental health benefits. There is also a local mental health agency in every state to help you contact counselors.
The real issue with addiction is that it affects everyone in addition to the addicts themselves. Substance abuse is a complex disease, but it can be treated. Family and friends face several obstacles while trying to help their loved ones find their way out of addiction. The financial, legal, and behavioral issues come with addiction. While it is certainly consuming to help someone recover, there are several ways to make the process easier. You should have patience and faith in the process. Remember to seek professional help if things get too difficult.
