Ways to deal with a drug addict family member

It might not be a surprising fact for you, but out of 21 million Americans who have at least one addiction, yet only ten percent receive treatment to overcome drug abuse issues. As a result, you might already have someone in your life that might be battling their demons and trying to recover from drug or alcohol addiction.

It could be a family member or a friend at work. That said, identifying ways to help and support these individuals will always be challenging, especially with the stigma attached to drug or alcohol abuse.

So, what are your roles in helping a loved one, friend, or family member overcome addiction? After all, the journey to recovery is a long one and full of obstacles that won’t be easy to circumnavigate. With that in mind, let us take a look at some ways how you can deal with a family member, friend, or loved one who is living a life of addiction. Some of these ways are listed down below;

Please encourage them to seek professional help.

As with any other medical condition out there, the quicker you undergo treatment, the earlier you will overcome your addiction issues. However, don’t be shocked when your drug addict family member comes up with excuses to avoid treatment entirely. That said, always try to remain persistent and share the benefits of a drug-free life with them.

Who knows, maybe they will eventually listen to you and check into an addiction recovery program, like those offered by Serenity, known for helping people. But, in the end, seeking professional help and treatment will allow your family member to come out of a life of addiction and abuse.

Show them your love.

A family member trying to overcome addiction might deny your help when you reach out to them. After all, drug addicts are hard-wired to be defensive in such a situation. Your drug addict family member might feel you’re judging them based on their drug addiction lifestyle. However, you must ensure that you do this because you want to see them overcome their addiction and get better. So, whether you explain to them the harmful side effects of drug abuse or tell them what they’re doing is harming their overall physical and mental health, always be compassionate and show love.

Don’t try to control every aspect of their life.

Just because your family member is an addict doesn’t give you the right to save them whenever they are in trouble. Sure, you can reach out to them when they’re on the pathway to destruction. However, don’t try to control their lives. For instance, suppose you think that your family member is on the brink of relapse. Instead of driving to their home, get in touch with them on the phone and try to calm them down. In the end, you have to let your family member tackle their recovery on their terms. Doing so will allow them to be and feel independent, which is crucial to maintaining and following an addiction recovery plan.

Communicate with them in a kind and supportive manner.

Instead of bombarding your drug addict family member with your thoughts, opinions, and feeling, try to communicate with them in a loving and supportive manner. For instance, whatever happens, please don’t ask any questions that make them think you’re accusing them. Doing so will put them in defensive mode, and they will hide their feeling from you.

For insane, instead of blatantly asking them a question such as ‘have you started abusing drugs again,’ go for a more subtle approach and ask them a question like ‘ you don’t look good today, did something change?’ Such an approach is better because it will allow you to communicate with your drug addict family member with more openness and avoid accusatory remarks in the process.

Educate yourself about drug addiction.

You won’t be able to battle with your enemies until you understand everything about them. The same is the case for drug addiction. So, the first step to helping your drug addict family member is to understand the signs, relapse triggers, and treatments related to drug addiction. Moreover, ensure that you talk to your family member about alcohol or drugs from an early age.

Of course, education isn’t the only thing that will guarantee that your family member will make better choices and life decisions. However, it can be vital to prevent addiction and find ways for a speedy recovery. So, learn as much as you can about the drug your family member is taking and safe ways to help them overcome their addiction.

Conclusion.

In the end, providing support and help to a family member undergoing recovery is all about prioritizing their needs over yours. Not to mention, you will have to be there for them during, after, and before the recovery process. In the end, professional intervention is critical to ensuring your family members follow the right pathway to recovery and enjoys a prosperous, drug-free life for the rest of their life.