Helping an Adult Family Member With a Drug Addiction
Steps to Help an Adult Addicted to Drugs
Drug addiction can impose its will on any family, regardless of any demographic designation. Often, friends, family members, and loved ones suffer even more as they watch the negative impacts of drugs on someone close to them. That’s why it’s important to know what steps you can take to help an adult friend, or family member addicted to drugs.
When someone becomes addicted to drugs, it’s much more challenging than simply asking them to quit for them to put substance abuse behind them. Speak to them as one adult to another; be calm but resolute in assessing the issues. Be prepared to have the conversation more than once and make sure you know how to approach the subject respectfully.
Knowing When Your Adult Family Member Needs Help
There are many signs that a person struggles with drug abuse, and it is often hard to know when to step in and offer help for them. Here are a few changes in an adult family member’s behavior that you can look for if you think they might need help: They may sleep too much or too little, compared with their routine. They also may eat a lot more or a lot less than before. Their appearance can change. They may have bloodshot eyes, bad breath, shakes or tremors, frequent bloody noses, or have gained or lost weight. They might adopt a new set of friends with whom they do drugs and go to different places than usual to use the drugs.
Actions You Can Take to Help Your Addicted Loved One
When you are thinking about taking action to assist a loved one who is struggling with addiction, it’s essential to make sure you are in the right state of mind and have the support you need. You may want to enroll in a support group aimed at helping family members, such as Al-Anon.
Communication is the key, and learning to communicate with someone who has been abusing drugs may be a new skill, which a family and friends support group can help you develop. Another step involves moving forward with a plan and options. Telling someone they need to get help isn’t usually going to be welcomed with open arms. However, stating that you see a problem and having solutions to offer should allow you to be heard.
The Importance of Taking Action
It is always better to do something rather than worry about whether it will succeed or not in almost any situation. The importance of taking action lies in the fact that your loved one will see that you are concerned, even if they have not admitted to themselves that there is a problem. This small step can start a family member struggling with drug addiction down a path towards recovery. Beginning this line of communication, while still being respectful of the fact that they are an adult, can be a crucial moment in a person’s life.
How to Talk to Your Family Member about Their Addiction
If you are going to approach an adult family member struggling with drug addiction, remember these do’s and don’ts: Be sure to focus on building trust, be honest, and respect your loved one’s privacy.
Also, remember not to criticize, threaten, or expect immediate change. Be aware they may not want to change even if they realize drugs negatively affect their lives and yours. Moreover, understand you may not know the underlying reason for them abusing drugs, which may go far beyond having a good time.
Helping Your Addicted Loved One Understand Their Treatment Options
The silver lining for addressing a family member’s drug problem is that there are many treatment options available today. At WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab, our staff prides themselves on offering custom-tailored treatment plans to every one of our clients. This includes detox and rehab, inpatient and outpatient settings, group and individual treatment options, and this is all done in a luxury environment with a long list of amenities.
Detox and rehab treatment is probably very different from what a person who is abusing drugs imagines. By communicating to them all of the options they have available to them, you can help them begin their recovery journey. WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab has the resources and facilities to ensure patients can find recovery in a safe and comfortable environment. Contact us today to begin the enrollment process.
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.