Data shows millions of people in the US battle substance use disorders every year. If you have a loved one trying to overcome the condition, you may be wondering how to offer support. Such an individual stands a better chance of making a full recovery in a drug addiction treatment program and a robust support system. Although every person’s situation is unique, the Midwest Recovery Center reveals six tips you can use to offer much-needed help.
Expect Challenges
It is not easy to help someone struggling with a substance use disorder. People battling the condition make it difficult for you to help them due to various reasons, such as:
- Denying that they have a problem
- Difficulty convincing them to abandon their present habit
- Feeling embarrassed to discuss their condition
- Unwillingness to open up about personal issues
- The use of substances as a remedy for dealing with other issues, such as depression
If a loved is unwilling to quit substance use, forcing the person to seek professional help will not work. Begin by making the individual understand the significance of changing the behavior.
Listen to Your Loved One’s Story
Most individuals start using drugs as an escape from overwhelming challenges. Before you start advising such a person to change the behavior, your first support should be lending a listening ear.
Talk to your loved one in a friendly manner and listen without interrupting. Avoid asking questions that will make the individual fear opening up. Listen to the person’s struggles as it will help you learn the best ways to offer help.
Build Trust
If a loved one has lost trust in you, it is not easy to regain it. Therapists underscore the essence of trust when assisting an individual with a substance use disorder. It is easy for such a person to undermine your efforts even when you genuinely want to help.
When you talk to such a person, keep in mind that there are different perspectives, stress worsens the situation, trust is a two-way process, and it is paramount to respect privacy.
Begin by Helping Yourself
Living with a person struggling with substance abuse can drain you mentally, especially when you share a close relationship. Depending on how long you have been living with the individual, it is crucial to accept that you also need professional help to remain stable.
It is good to nurture stress management techniques to manage your internal turmoil before you embark on supporting someone else. Approaching the situation when you are emotionally unstable can make you appear judgmental, pushing the person further away.
Join support groups or contact a therapist to get started.
Open Lines of Communication
Set time with the person, especially when you are both sober, and talk about how you feel regarding the issue. Ensure you maintain a friendly tone no matter how frustrated you get. Remember, the decision to change rests on the individual, and your approach can determine the outcome. Communicating honestly and restraining from using threats may trigger a positive change.
Help the Person Access Drug Addiction Treatment
Rehab facilities offer various treatment programs depending on the needs of their clients. Once you win your loved one’s trust, the next step is to help the person enroll in an addiction treatment program.
Rehabs can offer a wide range of evidence-based programs, including:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Individual therapy program
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Outpatient treatment program
- Substance abuse treatment
- Group therapy program
Contact Midwest Recovery Center to Learn More about Drug Addiction Treatment
The best way to offer support to someone struggling with substance abuse is to help the person seek professional treatment at rehab. However, you must first ensure that the individual understands you mean well, lest your efforts go unappreciated. Contact Midwest Recovery Center at 833.627.0039 to learn more about the journey to recovery.
