Drug addiction and alcohol addiction are conditions that require professional intervention. There is no easy way to help a person with an addiction, but there are many ways you can assist them in getting the help they need. Read on to learn more about how you can help a family or friend overcome their drug or alcohol addiction.
How to Help an Addict
It’s painful to watch your loved one experience the effects of alcohol or drug dependency. While you may want to do anything you can to help them, they’re going to need to want to get help before anything will change. The best way to approach helping an addict is to do so honestly. Experts point out that it’s important to authentically communicate with your friend or family member. Through an intervention, you can help them recognize their behavior and give them a chance to make immediate changes before things worsen.
Hold an Intervention
Remember that your loved one’s addiction is not your fault. While it is a difficult subject to confront, confrontation via an intervention may be the best way to get through to your loved one. Many people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol have their families intervene on their behalf. The intervention must be handled the right way for the best results. Before beginning your intervention, consider working with a professional. A licensed drug and alcohol counselor or a professional interventionist is an excellent option. During an intervention, make your loved one aware of their destructive behavior as well as its impact on your friends and family. Likewise, prepare a treatment plan that outlines clear goals, steps, and guidelines for your loved one to follow to get better. Be sure to have a plan in place for your intervention. Consider the following approach:
- Choose the intervention team Your team may include friends and family members that want to see your loved one get help for addiction.
- Decide on consequences While you can’t force someone to seek help, it may be beneficial to communicate consequences that you or the rest of the team may take if they refuse to get help. For example, if your loved one doesn’t want to get help, it may be time for them to move out.
- Hold the intervention Once you invite your loved one to the intervention, each member of the intervention team should take turns sharing their feelings and concerns. Then, share the treatment options with your loved one. While your loved one may not take the desired action immediately, knowing the impact that their actions have is an important step in encouraging them to seek help.
Identify the Best Treatment Options
There is no fast and easy way to help a person with an addiction. Whether or not you hold an intervention, it’s essential to move on to the next step: a treatment plan. Trying to get your friend or family member treatment for addiction can be a daunting and confusing experience. In many situations, your loved one will refuse treatment or may eventually agree to get help after persistent encouragement from friends and family.
As you learn how to help your loved one overcome their addiction, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the various treatment options. Remember that while there are many treatment options, not all of them are appropriate for everyone. Common rehab treatments like medically assisted detox, cognitive behavioral therapy, outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment, residential treatment, and dual diagnosis programs are all effective in treating addiction.
Not sure which treatment option is best for this situation? Outpatient treatment is preferable for someone that can’t live at the rehab facility or an individual with a mild substance use disorder. Individuals with severe substance use disorders may benefit from long-term or short-term inpatient therapy. While a rehab program will be based on the individual’s specific needs, most include the following.
- Medically assisted detox
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Group and individual counseling
- Recreational therapy
- Relapse prevention treatment
While you can’t force someone to end their addiction, you can work to encourage them to see how important it is to seek help. If you have any questions about how to help an addict, be sure to contact us at 844-844-3463. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day and ready to speak with you.