Making the decision to get your loved one help means convincing them there is a problem and pointing them in the direction of help. That sounds easy, but actually learning how to help an addict is not that simple. It takes a good amount of determination and one-on-one support from others to accomplish this. At The Right Step, our counselors can work with immediate family members to give you the tools and insight you need to get your loved ones to make changes.
Realize You Cannot Make Them Quit
Perhaps the hardest part of learning how to help an addict is being realistic about what you can and cannot do. There is no way to force them to change. They need to make that decision on their own. Even if you host an intervention with family, they have to decide to get help. If they don’t do so, no amount of drug treatment will be beneficial.
Show Them What Reality Is
Quite often, those who have a drug and alcohol addiction don’t know their actions are impacting other people. Rather, they only see it as their life and their future. Provide them with some insight into what it does to you. Here are some examples.
- Has it impacted school or work so much so that it is impacting your family? How?
- Do they engage in reckless behavior that makes you worry? Why?
- Does their use cause financial hardship for your family? Provide examples.
- Do you feel they are unsafe to leave around children?
- Do you fear for their health?
Providing facts like this can give them a reality check. It shows them that they are not managing their drug use well, that they cannot hide it, and that it needs to be better.
How to Help an Addict: Stop Enabling
Perhaps your loved one is using drugs or alcohol because they can. In other words, they have a home to live in, food on the table, a place to get money, and the ability to avoid responsibilities. You may be thinking that they cannot do this, and you would not allow it. Yet, that could be what’s happening right now.
Enabling a loved one isn’t about giving them drugs or turning your head when they are using. Rather, it is making excuses for them, ensuring they are not mad at you, and providing them with the money they need to continue using. Make the decision to stop enabling. This makes it far more difficult to continue this lifestyle.
Set Up Treatment Options for Them
Finally, learn how to help an addict by providing them with access to the care they need. Work with The Right Step in advance of speaking with your loved one. Once you do this, you can show your loved one they have a clear path to getting the help they need. We offer the resource necessary, including:
- Drug detox services
- Inpatient drug treatment
- Family therapy programs
- Aftercare support and planning
- Mental illness support
- Trauma-related use support
Seeking help to learn how to help an addict can be a very challenging step for you. We do our best to make the entire process as streamlined as possible.
Get the Support You Need at The Right Step
Learning how to help an addict who may not be willing to listen is one of the most challenging aspects of drug addiction from the viewpoint of family members. There is help. You do not have to go through this process on your own. At The Right Step, we have the tools and resources to guide you in getting your loved one the help they need. To learn more about those resources, call 17135283709 and speak to our team.
