Loved ones of addicts: How can you help?

Helping a loved one dealing with an alcohol or drug addiction is an often long and heartbreaking journey. Naturally, you want to help that friend or relative, but you won’t always know how to do so. At times, you might feel so overwhelmed that ignoring the situation can seem like a good solution. However, sweeping the problem under the rug is more damaging, both for you and person you worry about. With that in mind, here are 6 ways for loved ones of addicts to provide help, including continual support.

Stop enabling bad behavior

When addiction takes hold, it’s often very difficult for friends and family. Often, loved ones enable the person’s addiction without even realizing what they’re doing.

When you rescue an addict, you prevent them from seeing the consequences of their actions. Unfortunately, doing so allows them to live in the bliss of ignorance. People often don’t change until they’re forced to, so stop supporting their addiction as it’s not helpful to them.

Learn more about addiction

Unless you know what your loved one is dealing with, it’s very difficult to help them. For this reason, you must learn more about the addiction in question.

Also look into the symptoms to watch for. If your loved one is dealing with a cocaine addiction, for example, then learn to recognize signs of cocaine use. Addiction is complex, so it’s fine if you don’t know everything yet.

Offer your ongoing support

People with addictions don’t always understand how much their friends and family love them. They try to push people away and always believe that they’ve succeeded.

That is why you must speak about your concerns and offer support. Don’t wait until your loved one has hit rock bottom before you speak up. Instead, ensure they know you’re always going to be there for them.

Encourage going into treatment

Like with other diseases, addiction is best treated when treated early. Sadly, many people with addictions don’t realize they have a problem until it’s too late.

Thus, be persistent about the importance of professional treatment. If necessary, hold an intervention for your loved one. This step is difficult to do, but might be just what your loved one needs to get assistance.

Have a realistic outlook

When someone with an addiction makes a promise, you must always take it with a pinch of salt. There are going to be setbacks in their recovery, which is sure to be upsetting for everyone.

However, you shouldn’t react to these setbacks with anger or pity. This type of response can harm the relationship you share, making recovering even harder. It’s important that everyone is positive but realistic.

Take care of yourself

Helping someone dealing with an addiction is physically, mentally, and emotionally draining. If you were always to focus on your loved one, you would eventually burn out. While it might seem selfish, you must focus on your own life first. Try to get plenty of sleep, eat three healthy meals, and exercise every day. The better you feel, the better you can help the person you love.

Hopefully, with the advice above, you can help your loved one recover from their addiction.