Addiction is a complex disease; it affects the person who suffers from it and those around them. That is why if your loved one is dealing with addiction, it is common to experience a roller coaster of emotions. Although it is normal to feel stressed or overwhelmed, you must remember that those suffering from addiction can recover. Your loved one can heal through love, persistence, and professional addiction counseling.
If you are in dilemma of what approach should you adapt to make a connection with your addictive loved one. You are going to learn all about it here, stay tuned!
Educate Yourself on Addiction and Addiction Counseling Options
Your first step in helping someone with an addiction is to educate yourself on what addiction is. Educating yourself also means listening to their experiences. As you do so, you will come to understand the addicted person more, and they will see that their welfare is important to you.
Be Kind, But Set Boundaries
The next step is always to treat them with kindness. In everything you do, try and demonstrate that you are putting effort into understanding them. Remember that your loved one is suffering even more than you. They may not be perfect, and they may even do hurtful things, but try to have sympathy and understanding for their situation.
This doesn’t mean enabling their addiction, however. Be clear about what you expect of them and about what you will and will not do.
Choose Your Words Carefully
When people are experiencing addiction, sermons and scolding aren’t effective ways of provoking change. Instead, open, caring communication is the way to approach your loved one about their addiction. It helps to let them know that you care about them, that you are worried about them and see how their addiction affects their life.
Avoid Skipping Addiction Counseling
Stay consistent about your support and expectations. Cheer them on when they go to addiction counseling, especially if they relapse. Addiction is difficult, but with a sound support system, people can heal. Reach out today to see how we can help.
We generally emphasize working on the common indicators that could suggest a problem which includes behavioral changes, physical signs, neglected responsibilities, loss of control, prioritizing substance use.
If you suspect your loved one has an addiction, don’t delay it further and respond with immediate urgency. We are here to help you!
If your loved one refuses to seek help for their addiction, it can be a frustrating and challenging but may you need to educate yourself first more about the addiction, avoid enabling, seek support groups, or formal intervention.
Ultimately, you cannot decide on behalf of someone you can only put best possible efforts to make them understand.
You can find valuable information and resources about addiction and treatment from various sources, including National Institutes of Health (NIH), Addiction Treatment Centers, Educational Websites, Addiction Treatment Centers.
Keep in mind that addiction is a complicated disease and that many treatment modalities may be used.