Helping a loved one try to overcome a drug addiction is never easy. Overcoming an addiction is one of the hardest things that someone can do, and it’s often just as hard on the addicted person’s support network. To make matters worse, addiction still carries a huge stigma in our society, and we often treat addicts like criminals who need to be punished instead of people living with a disease. It’s often why so many people just give up on their loved ones as they struggle with addiction.
And yet, as difficult as it is to watch a loved one face a substance abuse problem, they will almost always need your help. There may be people who can overcome an addiction alone, but they are few and far between. Most will need help from their loved ones, so you need to know how to best get them that help.
First of all, you need to know the signs of a substance abuse problem. These can vary depending on one’s drug of choice, but common signs include mood swings, withdrawal from friends and family, red eyes, a general lack of motivation, a lack of interest in their hobbies, and a sudden change in how much money they spend.
Next, you need to educate yourself on drug addiction and what it can do. Addiction is far more complex than many people know, and it’s just as easy to jump to conclusions about drugs and alcohol as it is to miss the signs of an addiction. Gather as much information as you can from reputable sites online, and don’t be afraid to contact a drug and alcohol treatment center for more information.
Finally, do not treat your loved one like they’ve done something wrong. At the most, they made a mistake that led them to use drugs and alcohol. It might be because of peer pressure, or it might be because they didn’t know how to cope with some issue in their life, but you should never act like they started using drugs because of some moral failing. They are now struggling with a disease, and treating them like a criminal will not help them. They need your support, so make it clear that they have it.
Once you’ve gotten through to your loved one and convinced them that they need help overcoming their addiction, help them find a treatment center that works for them. Our own center provides several programs for people in need, so feel free to contact us for more information. We will be more than happy to help you in any way that we can. Call us today at
833-610-1174.