How to Support a Loved One With an Addiction
Do you have a loved one struggling with addiction? You’re not alone. Millions of American families are affected by substance use every year and wondering how to support a loved one with an addiction. While it may seem like an overwhelming challenge, there are ways to support your loved ones who seek assistance in overcoming their addictions and embracing recovery.
In this blog post, we will discuss different methods for helping those in need of recovery, as well as advice on how to be a source of comfort for a person seeking help with drug addiction. With patience and understanding, together, we can make an impact on reducing the rate of drug abuse and helping those we love.
How can you help a friend or family member who is addicted?
Knowing how to help someone with an addiction can be difficult. But it is the first step in helping a friend or family member who is struggling with addiction. Encouraging them to seek professional aid and supporting them through the journey is key. Showing support and understanding throughout their recovery process is essential in helping to build trust and creating a safe space for them.
Before taking any action, have an honest conversation with the person about their addiction and ask what kind of help they need from you. Don’t try to do too much. It’s important to be realistic with your expectations when providing support. Instead of trying to do things yourself, seek professional help. CleanSlate offers professional, non-judgmental support for people struggling with addiction.
Ultimately, your goal should be to provide the resources necessary that enable your friend or family member to take back control of their life while guiding them toward healthier behaviors.
How to help an addict without enabling
Dealing with a loved one addicted to drugs or alcohol is an emotionally taxing situation to navigate. It is important to love and support them while maintaining boundaries that promote healthy behavior. It can be difficult to know how to help an addict without enabling their behavior.
There are a few ways you can do so:
- Gently remind them of how much you care for them by listening to their problems without judging. Knowing what to say to someone who is a recovering addict can be tough. However, they are the same person you have always known. So speak to them as you normally would without encouraging toxic behavior and without judgment.
- Help them find professional assistance like therapy and medication for substance cravings.
- Encourage them to get into a recovery program.
Knowing when it’s okay to provide assistance to an addict can be difficult, so try not to set unrealistic expectations for their recovery process. Instead, encourage positive behavior such as expressing gratitude and targeting positive activities away from the source of the addiction.
In all cases, it’s important for both of you to realize that recovery will take time and it involves more than just giving up substances. Support is essential for successful recovery. CleanSlate can help. Call us today.
