The last thing anyone ever wants to have to deal with is a loved one with an addiction. Addictions can totally consume those who are experiencing it and they can be very hard to deal with for everyone involved. When a loved one develops an addiction or starts to show signs of developing one, you need to make sure that you take the right steps and get them help as soon as possible.
Here, we are going to offer some tips to help you help a loved one with an addiction. This will include everything from understanding addiction in general to finding the right facility. Keep reading to hear these tips.
Understanding Addiction
Before you even think about trying to help a family member with an addiction, you must first understand addiction and how it works. It is important to know that not all addictions work in the same way, and an alcohol addiction could be very different from a gambling addiction. In simple terms, an addiction is an inability to stop consuming something. Some of the most common forms of addiction include alcohol, drugs, gambling and smoking. As you can probably tell, some of these addictions are more harmful than others.
It is also worth noting that addictions can come in many forms. For those who have existing mental health issues, addiction can affect them much more. This is typically known as dual diagnosis and can require addiction dual diagnosis treatment.
The better you understand what is happening, the easier it will be to help your loved one. Spend some time online researching addiction and you should be able to gain a better insight.
Approach with Caution
If you want to help your loved one who is showing signs of addiction, you should make sure to approach the topic with caution. The last thing you will want is to come at them in an accusatory way which will only lead them to go elsewhere for help, or not get help at all. You need to be approachable and the best way to achieve this is to plan how you are going to deal with the problem.
If you are not sure how to approach your loved one and confront them on their addiction, you should seek help. This help could come in the form of advice from others who have experienced the same thing, a doctor or even internet research. While getting help from another family member can also be beneficial in approaching the situation, you won’t want to overwhelm your loved one and make them think that you are joining forces against them.
Try to approach the situation calmly and be understanding. They might not react well, but this is only to be expected. Try to remember that they are not reacting well because they are addicted and might feel attacked. Consider how you might react if you were put in the same position. Try to be understanding and don’t let yourself get overly emotional.
Getting Them the Help They Need
There are many ways to treat addictions but not all methods are suitable for the different kinds of addiction. For many people rehab is the best possible option, especially for those who are experiencing addictions to alcohol or drugs. These facilities allow them to get away from temptation and talk with experts on the matter.
If your loved one has a history of mental health issues, they might need to undergo dual diagnosis therapy. If this is the case, you should be able to find a dual diagnosis treatment facility in your state or not too far away. It is important that you are seeking help from a recognised treatment center and that you are not sending your loved one somewhere that can’t help them.
If you are struggling to find help for your loved one, you should do some research online. A local doctor might also be able to put you in touch with a facility or a therapist that can help them undergo treatment. It might be expensive to place your loved one in one of these facilities but often, it is the only choice that you have.
Check Up on Them
Finally, if you want to help a loved one who is experiencing addiction or is showing signs of developing one, you need to make sure that you are checking up on them regularly. You might find that when you confront them about the issue that they decide that they will deal with the problem on their own. While this is something you’ll want to avoid, it is sometimes better to let them deal with the issue at hand on their own terms.
However, it is important to check up on your loved one to make sure that they are dealing with the problem and that they are not letting their addiction creep up on them again. This is important to do both when they are getting the help that they need and after they have received their treatment. Checking up doesn’t need to be intrusive, simply give them a call or ask to meet up and assess the situation for yourself. If you think there are any further issues, you need to deal with them as soon as possible.
Don’t Ignore the Issue
If you think that a family member or a friend is addicted to something, you need to make sure that you are doing what you can to help them. While it can be tempting to avoid the situation so as not to upset them, you are doing more harm that way by not giving them the help that they need.
Try to take on board all of the tips that we have given you in this article and use this information to make the right decisions and moves. Once you get your loved one the treatment that they need, you’ll be happy that you took those initial first steps.
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