How to Help a Family Member Who is Struggling with Addiction

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Drug addiction can tear a family apart, both emotionally and physically. Someone struggling with addiction is more likely to neglect their responsibilities and cut off from friends and loved ones. The effects of addiction go beyond the addict's life, so it can be challenging for family members to help them cope without being burned out themselves. It's important to recognize the signs of addiction in someone you love and help them.

Educate Yourself About Addiction

Before you can help your loved one, it's important to educate yourself about the drug of choice and how long it takes for a drug to get out of its system. You want to know whether a relapse is likely and when you're likely to see the best signs that treatment is working. For example, if your loved one has a problem with cocaine, it's important to know the signs of a relapse. If you know about addiction, it is easier to understand the implications of their actions so you can be a reliable source of support.

Listen to the Needs of Your Loved One

It's important to learn what makes your loved one feel good and what gives them pain. This will help you understand how your loved one works, which should help you know when they are ready for treatment. As well as communicating with them directly, it's important to know if they have any triggers that make them feel more comfortable using drugs. These are things that you have to know to help your loved one when the time comes. It's important to remember that you work through your feelings, too and that they can also be affected by addiction. It can be easy to become angry at the addict, but not finding closure with your loved one will only make them feel lost and alone.

Know When to Call for Help

If you love someone who is struggling with addiction and they seem to be ready to get clean, it may be time to seek professional help. If your loved one is using alcohol or prescription drugs, it's important to use your instincts. The addict might not want you to know what they are doing, but the signs of drug use are well-known. If it's obvious that your loved one is using illegal drugs, consider calling 911 for help. Find excellent addiction experts who can help you assess the situation and keep your loved one safe while they are detoxing. The sooner you get help, the better the chance a relapse will be avoided.

Attend Therapy Sessions With Them

If someone you love is struggling with addiction, ask them if they would like to attend therapy sessions. You can even go with them if they agree. Therapy may allow your loved one to explore their addiction and why they might be self-medicating or to turn to drugs in the first place. Attending therapy sessions can help a family member build the skills they will need to recover from addiction. The addict will be more likely to take the therapy sessions seriously if you are there with them. Attending therapy sessions can also help you understand the effects of drug use on the addict.

Connect With Other Peers Recovering From Addiction

One of the most important things a family member can do is connect with others going through the same thing. You may have found a support group for other people in your position, and it's helpful to talk to them about what it's like having an addict in the family. It might be easier to talk to someone outside of the family. You can share each others' feelings and work out solutions that would be hard to do on your own. Peers in recovery can also support you during the times of uncertainty that come with addiction.

Educate Your Family Member

Once you have reached the point that your loved one is ready for treatment, it's the perfect time to talk about what a recovery process is like. Many addicts will use their family members as a source of support, so you need to be ready to help them cope with this change. Explain what to expect from their treatment and how they will go through a detox. Let them know that they have every right to get help if they choose, and offer encouragement and support while they are doing it.

Conclusion

Addiction can be a frightening thing for both addicts and their family members. The first step to getting help is to know when someone you love has a problem. A doctor can provide the best assessment of an addict's situation, so it might be wise to call one before you do anything else. If the addict is ready for treatment and is serious about it, they will need your support through the detoxification process.