When you first realize that someone you love is an addict, you may fear losing that person. In many cases, the addict's family suffers just as much, if not more. If a family member is struggling with an addiction, you may feel there is no hope of getting the person you care about back. Fortunately, that's not the case. With the right treatment and help, recovery is possible. Whether it's an alcohol or drug addiction, these tips can help you.
Signs of addiction First, it is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of addiction. These can differ depending on the type of addictions they are dealing with, be it drugs, alcohol or gambling. Many people can hide their addiction, even from those closest to them. Some of the most common signs that someone is suffering from addiction include:
Learn more about the addiction
Get information about addictions, especially about the specific addiction your loved one suffers from. Understand the addict's disease process. Find information about how this affects family and friends. Knowledge is power and it can help you understand more about yourself and your loved one.
Don't make things possible
Often, family members support the person's addiction without even realizing that's what they're doing. Don't save the addict. Let them experience the consequences of their illness. Often people cannot change until they are forced. Do not support the addict or his addiction financially. Don't buy groceries, give financial aid, pay rent, or apologize to other people for their behavior. While this is done from a place of love or a sense of obligation, it helps to protect the afflicted person from their reality. In many cases, it is not until the person is confronted with the consequences of his actions and behavior that he can face his own addiction and commit to treatment and recovery.
Find support
Having a loved one with an addiction problem can cause many difficulties in your life. Chances are you're exhausted, angry, confused, and downright frustrated. One of the ways you can help an addicted person (and yourself) is to get help for yourself by talking to a support group that helps family members of addicts or alcoholics.
Holds an intervention
One of the most effective ways to help an addicted person is to organize an intervention. With an intervention, family and friends come together and confront the person who has a drug or alcohol problem in a loving environment. Typically, everyone in attendance reads letters they've written to explain why they're concerned. This gives everyone the opportunity to shed light on how the addiction has affected them personally. This is also an opportunity for everyone to present a united front to force the person out of denial. The intervention should aim to motivate the person to get help for their problem. You could suggest that they get treatment for their addiction.
Help them find the right treatment
When people suffer from addiction problems, the only way to get rid of them is to get proper treatment. You can help your loved one to find a safe, effective treatment method, such as that of Connection SGGZ, which offers high-quality specialist care with proven effective treatments.
Be supportive
If your loved one has agreed to a treatment, encourage them to follow the treatment plan the center has prepared for them. You must let your loved one know that he/she has your full support and love, during the treatment and after.
