Thoughtful Ways to Support a Sibling Through Addiction

It’s estimated that more than 30 million people have drug use disorders. Such statistics become even more upsetting when loved ones find themselves trapped into these numbers.

Drug abuse holds sufferers hostage to their own destructive behaviors. It usually starts with a conscious choice of recreational use, because most of them are pretty sure they’ll grow out of their addiction. Unbeknownst to them, recovery is far more complicated than that, and without professional help, users in denial will soon find themselves in dire circumstances.

From the heartbreaking initial phase to a completely drug-free life, here’s how you can support a sibling through this challenging period.

Hold an intervention

Addiction is by definition an incapacity to discontinue the use of harmful substances, whether the sufferer is aware of the consequences or not. This happens because of an unusual surge of dopamine, or one of the “feel-good” brain chemicals, that’s usually controlled in other rewarding activities, such as eating or exercising. Gradually, they develop a tolerance that can only be fulfilled with continuous drug use. This creates a life without meaning unless the user is on drugs.

Depending on the stage your siblings find themselves in, they won’t be able to consciously agree to get treatment. In this case, a well-thought-out intervention is the most effective approach, ideally under professional supervision. It’s fairly common for family members to try to force the addicted individual into recovery, or worse, to think that they’ll seek help in due course. Although you, as family, shouldn’t take full responsibility for the addiction, you should play a role in your sibling’s mindful decision to seek help.

Professional interventionists aren’t emotionally connected to any family members or the situation at hand. That’s why their unbiased judgment and proper training is essential to choose which family members will be present during the intervention, the role of each member, and all the necessary procedures in case your loved one refuses or agrees to seek recovery.

Help your sibling find a recovery coach

A sibling who has deliberately chosen to go to rehab is halfway through a healthy recovery. It all depends on willpower, and of course, the quality of treatment.

An ideal recovery coach will work with people by treating them as equals, rather than as someone inferior who has chosen to become addicted. No one ever chooses this life for themselves. Their principles should be based on mutual respect and compassion, and not focused only on addressing disruptive behaviors, but also the pillars for personal and permanent change.

When searching for recovery coaches near you, make sure they offer a relapse prevention program, or follow-up consultations to reinforce full recovery. This final process helps assure that your sibling won’t have to endure addiction or its complications again.

Stay with them, no matter what

Even if you’re away from your sibling during the treatment, you can still make clear that you’ll be inseparable regardless of the situations you may encounter. Phone calls are helpful, but won’t suffice. If you really want to help, you need to be there.

Whether they’re in a rehab program or just far from home, you visit whenever possible. As the days go by, they’ll just keep getting better, and there’s no better feeling than witnessing progress in person. You can even get yourselves a set of brother or sister bracelets with a loving message to always keep a part of you with them, and vice versa. When times get difficult (and they will), they’ll always have a tangible, positive anchor thought to hold on to.

Addiction acts as a barrier between people who love each other. For this reason, both sides must go in the opposite direction and stick together during trying times.