How to Help An Addict [Guide]

Addiction is a scary thing. Often, people begin using drugs with the thought that they won’t become addicted. Like someone making excuses not to start a new diet, addicts will find justifications for their drug or alcohol problem. However, once denial sets, then addicts will have an increasingly hard time realizing they need help.

Your first confrontation can be eye-opening as long as you communicate kindly and sincerely. You mustn’t attack your loved ones because the denial will usually double down.  

Host an Intervention 

While interventions can be powerful, they can also be intimidating and embarrassing for someone suddenly confronted with one. You should therefore handle the situation with as much tact as possible. Some professionals can help you plan and even lead an intervention, such as therapists that specialize in addiction or interventionists. Here are the necessary steps of an intervention: 

• Learn the extent of the problem. Gather as much information as you can: what drug the addict is using, how often they use it, what patterns they follow. The more you know, the better you can help them. 
• Decide who will be there. Those in attendance should trust the person you’re looking to help. They should also be capable of remaining calm in this tense situation. If they plan on lashing out or degrading the addict, they shouldn’t be present. Appropriate members include parents, siblings, extended family, friends who positively influence their lives, and mentors. 
• Know what to say.  Before your intervention begins, each member should know what they want to say. You should express your hurt and concern for them but do it kindly. If your loved one refuses help, you should also be ready with consequences. 
• Hold the intervention.  You should invite the addicted person to the meeting without giving them specifics. One by one, the group should express why the addiction affects them and ask them to stop. If there is a refusal, each person should say what they will do because of it. 
• Follow through. With the support of the group, you should stay involved in the addict’s recovery. You can attend therapy meetings with them to support them, avoid destructive behaviors, and talk when they need it. 

Helping an Addict in Recovery

Once an addict enters the recovery stage of their journey, they often do not think they need help. However, recovering addicts are still vulnerable and at risk of the dangers of addiction. On the other hand, recovery is the period when an addict needs the most support.  

Relapse is always a threat for a recovering addict. Therapy and rehab can help an addict learn the skills they need to change their lives, but it’s up to the addict to make it happen. If you are supporting an addict in recovery, for instance, here are signs to watch for: 

• They romanticize the old days. Recovering addicts might fantasize about their drug use. 
• Thinking they can use it again without becoming addicted. Going to treatment and successfully battling addiction may leave some people feeling like they could handle their drug more responsibly. 
• They are meeting up with old friends.  Reconnecting with people they used to is often something recovering addicts believe they can handle because they’ve gained control of their lives. 
• Changes in behaviors. An addict getting close to relapse might become irritable or depressed. Relationships that they’ve worked to repair might begin falling apart. They may lose interest in hobbies that were fulfilling to them. 
• The belief is that recovery programs don’t work.  Suddenly changing their opinion on their recovery program’s validity can signal that they are struggling against relapse. 

However, when you see these signs, talk to the recovering addict honestly about your concerns. There’s nothing wrong with bringing these signs up. At worst, you’ll have wasted a few moments. At best, you could help prevent a relapse. Moreover, if you need more information about how to help an addict, then call us today. Our professionals will work with you to make sure you get the treatment that you need.

 Helping Someone Going Through a Relapse

Relapse can be traumatic, but you should remember that relapse does not mean recovery has failed. Recovery is like learning to ride a bicycle; you don’t give up after you fall. The best way to help an addict that has relapsed is to remain supportive. 

Substance abuse changes the brain in ways that encourage continued use. Recovery is not as simple as the addict decides to stop using. Help your loved one recommit to recovery by reminding them why they’re doing it in the first place. Don’t be judgmental or lash out at them in anger. They are struggling and are probably ashamed and think of themselves as a failure. 

Some things you can do to help recover from relapse, for example, are: 

• Discover new activities or interests to keep their mind off drugs. 
• Offer them support for their continued counseling. 
• Help them avoid dangerous places or people. 
• Remind them to take medication their doctors have prescribed. 
• Talk with them about their feelings, fears, and doubts. 
• Give whatever help you can if they need to find a new place to live or a job. 

However, if you’re loved one relapses, remind them it’s all part of the process, and they don’t need to beat themselves up over it. They have to dust themselves off and continue their recovery, but your support dramatically increases the odds of their success.