If you know someone who is struggling with substance use disorder, you might be able to help them. It could be a close friend or relative, or it could be someone you don’t know.
Getting Help
Getting clean and sober can be a challenging and frightening experience for people who are struggling with substance use disorder. It can prevent them from living the life they want. Having the support and consistent treatment they need can help them get back on track and start living a more balanced life. Below are some tips for helping a loved one who’s fighting substance addiction.
1. Get Them Professional Help
When it comes to addiction, there are many options available for professional help. One option is to attend a drug and alcohol treatment center in Scranton PA. There are many benefits of your loved one attending an outpatient rehab facility. Some of the benefits include affordability, privacy, and the ability to tailor the treatment to meet your needs.
2. Remember Substance Addiction is a Disease
Alcohol and drugs can affect the brain in ways that can lead to dependency and a distorted value system. This can result in individuals becoming more dependent on substances. It’s natural to get frustrated by your loved ones when they’re using substances that are harmful to their health. Limiting your contact can help prevent the use of illicit substances.
However, be careful not to make them feel isolated. This can make them feel embarrassed and prevent them from reaching out to you. After they enter recovery, you must start to open up more about their life. One of the first steps is to try to understand how their addiction became a part of their everyday life.
3. Take Care of Your Needs, Too
Having a substance use disorder can also affect the person who is trying to help them. It can affect their friends and family as well. Unfortunately, many people place their loved one’s needs above their own. This can lead to a lack of self-care and an increase in anxiety and depression.
First, take care of your own needs. Doing so will allow you to provide the necessary support and resources to help your loved one through their recovery process. There are support groups that can help you navigate this challenging role.
4. Understand Everything About Substance Use Disorder
Being able to experience feelings of anger, fear, and frustration is normal for people who are trying to support a loved one struggling with substance use disorder. Having the necessary education will allow you to provide the necessary support and resources to help them.
Before you start supporting a loved one struggling with substance use disorder, it’s important that you thoroughly understand the various aspects of this illness. Be aware that it’s not the time to talk about how their actions could have been better. You should seek professional assistance to help you approach your loved one struggling with substance use disorder so that they can receive the treatment they need.
5. Don’t Use Your Love as a Threat
Being in a close relationship with a person who is struggling with an addiction can be challenging. However, it’s important to avoid saying things like “If you really love me, you would quit.” This can be damaging to their recovery. Instead, ask them how you can help them in their recovery. Make sure to tell them that you are genuinely interested in helping them and that they are not alone.
6. Give Help Without Enabling
Having a severe substance use disorder can affect an individual’s finances. It can also lead to various legal issues and put them at risk of experiencing physical harm. Unfortunately, many people who are trying to help their loved ones avoid these consequences end up supporting their addiction instead of helping them get better.
This can lead to an increase in substance abuse and the likelihood of their recovery becoming worse. It’s important to make sure that you only support the person’s recovery efforts and future goals.
Final Thoughts
It can take a long time for a loved one struggling with substance use disorder to recover. They may relapse several times before they find an effective treatment method that can help them maintain their recovery. However, by supporting their efforts, you can help them achieve stability in their lives.