How to Help a Drug Dependent Loved One

Having a drug-dependent loved one is not an easy situation to deal with. It is a heartbreaking and long journey and at times, you can be so overwhelmed that you just want to quit and let the person be.

You should however not give up because this person really needs your help. Truly, it is important to learn some know-how about helping a drug-dependent loved one.

Understanding how drug addiction works

Before you can help a drug addict, you need to know how addiction works. There are many reasons why people get sucked into addiction.

For some, it started with curiosity and for others, they just wanted to have a good time. They probably have seen friends doing it to cure emotional pains or to improve their performance athletically and they wanted to see what it feels like. Now, addiction doesn’t start with first use, it is consistent abuse and misuse that eventually leads to addiction. 

So in helping a drug-dependent loved one, you need to find out how they got there and lead them in the right direction. 

How to help a drug-dependent loved one

Once you have been able to understand the root cause of your loved one’s addiction, it will be easier to be of help.

Establish trust 

It is really hard to gain the trust of someone who is addicted. In the true sense of it, the only thing they trust is the blow from the drugs.

However, if you are able to gain that trust, it will be hard to make them see the need to get help. While trying to do this, avoid nagging at them or calling them names or even getting drawn into addiction yourself.

You should expect that it won’t be easy, they may think you are only trying to control them, but with time, they will see that you are not by the way you are handling things.

Approach them about the problem 

The first step is to approach them and make them see that there is a problem and they need to get help.

To do this, you can use these tips:

• Don’t attack or get confrontational, that will only lead to an argument. Rather, initiate a talk when you know they are relaxed and not in a bad mood. Subtly approach the problem.

• Now for most drug dependents, it is common to get defensive and aggressive. When this happens, feel free to back off and try again at a different time.

• Approaching the situation with love and empathy will increase your chances of getting their attention and making them see reasons to get help.

Recommend help

If you are able to earn your drug dependent loved one’s trust, blessed are you because it means they can relate and communicate with you, at least, on more personal levels.

Drug addicts hate judgmental people. They already know there is a problem, they just don’t know how to get out of it. This is why you should recommend help to them.

You should be tactical to make them see that this is the best and only way for them to get well. You should also let them know that he or she is not going to be alone, that you are going to be present to always offer your love and moral support.

The good thing is that there are many private alcohol and free drug rehab centers that will help your loved one against substance abuse and disorders.

You can visit this site and see how such a facility can help families through these trying times. You may be surprised just how accepting drug dependents are to the idea once they understand the process. Sometimes all you need to do is introduce it, and support them every step of the way.

One great thing about using a private rehab center is that there is usually no waiting list and you can be sure that your loved one will receive all the necessary care they need.

Continue to show your unwavering support

The treatment process varies in different cases, but whatever the case is, the most important thing is to be able to stand by your loved one during the treatment process.

Your involvement in the process can determine to a large extent if your loved one will pull through rehabilitated.

Once your loved has agreed to the treatment:

• Make sure you respect their privacy daily and continuously. You will not need to inform any other person like friends and family about their situation except when it is absolutely necessary for their well being.

• There will be some dark days when they will not want to talk. Respect their privacy still and let them be. Do not push them to discuss the treatment process.

• Do not cease to show your love and support through the process. When they want to go alone to therapy, let them be and when they need you to be around, try and be around.

Helping a drug-dependent loved one is not going to be an easy task, but where there is love, there is hope. When he or she has been able to pull out of the addiction, the joy you will experience will make it all worth the stress.

You would have saved a life; you would have saved yourself as well. 

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