If you have a loved one that is suffering from addiction, it can feel very scary and overwhelming. Finding them the right help can be the main priority, but if they aren’t ready to accept help yet, it can be fruitless. Addicts can only be helped when they want to change. Until they are ready, you can only do so much.
You might feel helpless, but there is only so much you can do to facilitate recovery. If the addict doesn’t want to change, recovery is nearly impossible. However, if they are willing to do the work, recovery is absolutely achievable, no matter how deep their addiction goes. Recovery requires a great deal of support from their loved ones, so being a part of the process can help them remain sober.
Here are some dos and don’ts to helping a loved one with addiction:
DON’T Ignore It –
Accepting that your loved one can be difficult. Ignoring it will just make the issues worse. Addiction is a progressive disease, the longer you ignore the signs, the harder it will be for them to get help.
DO Address The Issue –
It is important to bring up your concerns about their habits with your loved ones. This can be a very intimidating step, so prepare for the conversation. Visit this website to help prepare you for the conversation. Make sure you set aside time when they are sober and can be present for the conversation. It is a good idea to write down what you want to say to them. It can be helpful to talk to a professional before to help you know what to say. During the conversation, be honest with them, but stay calm and try to reaffirm that you are there to help.
DON’T Force It –
Treatment for addiction is only successful when the addict wants to make changes. Forcing them into treatment or giving ultimatums might be successful at first, but rarely is successful for the long-term. Encourage your loved one to get help, but make sure it’s something they are mentally and emotionally ready to do on their own.
DO Educate Yourself –
It is important to understand what your loved one is experiencing. The more informed you are about addiction, the easier it will be to help them through the process. Do research on the disease, talk to people who have gone through it, and join support groups. This can help give you the correct information about what you can do to help.
DON’T Judge –
Addiction is a very powerful disease that is not the fault of the user. They did not choose to be an addict, so avoid blaming them for their addiction. Blaming them will not help them in the long run. What they need is your support and love, not judgment.
DO Research Treatment Options –
You can be ready with options when your loved one is ready. Research what options he or she has so they can make an informed decision. You can find rehab facilities in Arvada, so when they make the choice to get help, you have found the right treatment for them. The more informed on the options you are, the easier it will be for them to make the decision to get help.
DON’T Enable –
You don’t want to feel helpless when someone your loved one is struggling, but there is a fine line between helping and enabling. The most common ways people think they are helping is by paying their bills, making excuses for them, lying for them, excusing their behavior, and giving them money. Ask yourself if what you are doing is actually helping them.
DO Set Boundaries –
Setting boundaries is an important aspect of taking care of yourself when your focus is on someone else. Boundaries are a great way to ensure you aren’t allowing and enabling their behavior. This could be an important step for motivating your loved one to get help, as well. Common boundaries can include not allowing them to use around you, refusing financial help, or setting curfews.
DON’T Give Up –
If your loved one refuses help or relapses, it might be easy to get frustrated with their progress. If you give up on them, they will most likely give up on themselves. Having a strong support system can be all the difference between a successful recovery, and relapsing.
DO Take Care of Yourself –
It is easy to get lost in your needs as you struggle to help someone with addiction, but you can’t help them if you aren’t being taken care of. Just like on an airplane, you have to make sure your mask is on before you can assist someone with theirs. Don’t let yourself get lost in your loved one’s disease. Remaining happy and healthy through the process will make it easier to remain positive and supportive for your loved one.
DON’T Expect Immediate Results –
Recovery is a life-long process. If your loved one accepts help and goes through treatment, relapses are still likely to happen. It is important to be understanding about the time frame for recovery. Putting high expectations for results on your loved one can cause added stress and anxiety, which could trigger a relapse.
You might feel helpless throughout the process, but the more love and support you provide, the easier it will be for them to decide to get help. There is only so much you can do, so at some point you have to let them take the reins. You can only provide a supportive environment and your love, the rest is up to them. If you want more information about what you can do to help, visit www.verywellmind.com/hot-to-help-addicts-22238.
The more help and support you give, the easier it will be for your loved ones to make the decision to change. If no one is on the other side believing you can do it, it is much harder to believe it yourself. Be patient, loving, and most importantly, understanding, and sobriety can be just around the corner.
You must be logged in to post a comment.