How to Help Someone Struggling with Substance Abuse

Fighting against addiction is a difficult thing to do, and if you have someone close to you who is struggling with substance abuse, then it’s understandable for you to want to help them.

Confronting Addiction

There are a number of things that you and your loved one can do to help combat their addiction, but before you can, it is important that they accept the fact that they have a problem. Addiction is a powerful thing, and it is not uncommon for addicts to begin lying to try and avoid confronting the issue before them. It is vital that your loved one understands and accepts the fact that they do have a problem. Often the best way for this to happen is for you to stage an intervention and talk to them, honestly and openly, about the effects of their addiction and the fact that they need to get help. This is often a difficult conversation, but it is almost always the best way to get through to someone struggling with addiction.

Seek Treatment

Once you have spoken to your loved one about their addiction, it is important to seek out professional help. In fact, it is usually a good idea to investigate professional treatment options before an intervention so that you can suggest good treatment options at the time. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of treatment options ranging from alcohol to cocaine addiction, and these can be easily accessed and researched. Consistent support and good treatment are the best ways to start someone on the road to recovery.

Educate Yourself

The road to recovery is a long and winding one, and it is easy for a recovering addict to lose sight of the end goal. It is important that you, as part of their support system, understand their addiction so that you can effectively help to guide them through their recovery and onward to a healthier future. There are a number of available resources for you to educate yourself on the science of addiction.Also, more often than not, your loved ones clinician will be happy to illuminate some of the more important details about recovery,ensuring that you are properly equipped to help.

Be Around

When someone is recovering from substance abuse, they can find themselves feeling alone, even when this could not be further from the truth. It can be difficult, when struggling with something like addiction, to remember just how loved and supported they are. This is why it is so important for you to make sure that your loved one knows that you are there for them and that you will always be happy to help and support them.

Often just popping in occasionally helps to reassure your loved one that you don’t resent them or that you still care for them. They are going through one of the most difficult times of their lives, and that little bit of reassurance can make all the difference.