Overcoming Addiction, How To Truly Support A Loved One

By Bretton Love

One of the most emotionally painful things you can experience is seeing a loved one getting trapped in the clutches of addiction. It pains you to see the drastic change that addiction has brought about in that person and how it affects the people around them. Rather than just remain a passive witness or feel helpless in the situation, there is so much that a loved one can do to truly support a person they love or care about in overcoming addiction.

Establish Constructive Communication

Effective communication is a key factor in building and keeping the trust of an addicted loved one. This is something they really need when other people may seem to give up on them and abandon them. Don’t just stop talking to them about the problem. Go deeper by letting them know you are there for them to help and you also need their help by telling as much as they know about how the problem with addiction started. You don’t need to rush them about it as it may take time for them to comfortably discuss such things with you. Be honest and sincere in communicating with them and don’t be afraid of letting them know of the current situation, no matter how bleak or ugly. It is important they get to know the true state of things to help them realize and acknowledge that there is a problem with them and that they need help.

Proactively Offer Treatment and Rehabilitation

A lot of times, it will be difficult for someone with an addiction to open up the topic of seeking treatment or rehabilitation. Be proactive and positive in your approach to offering treatment and rehabilitation options for them. Ask them if they prefer to take the rehabilitation program within the facility or at home, and if there are other options for the treatment of their addiction. There are many rehabilitation and treatment facilities and institutions that offer a wide range of treatment options. Medical and rehabilitative care professionals of DayHab offer specialized treatment options for those addicted to drugs, alcohol, or gambling such as outpatient programs, residential programs, and family support programs among others. Finding facilities such as this and letting your loved one with addiction visit and research on the facilities can help them make positive decisions for their situation.

Stay Strong and Steadfast for Your Addicted Loved One

It is never easy being with someone struggling with addiction. It can take its toll on your emotional, psychological, and physical well-being. Stress can be your primary concern in a situation like this and you also need to get help for yourself first in order to be strong for your loved one that needs your help. It is OK to show them your vulnerability as long as you are also showing that you are doing something about it for them. It just shows them your sincere commitment to trying to help them and will give them comfort and assurance that you are someone they can rely on. Also, letting them know that you are open about your own problems and that you’re getting help for yourself can also inspire them to do the same and help them decide to take treatment and rehabilitation.

Being a reliable support system for a loved one struggling with addiction is no easy task. Nevertheless, as someone who has a strong bond of relationship, you have the responsibility to look after their well-being and do something to get them back on the right track. You have to be strong and you need to be proactive and positive in your approaches when it comes to dealing with the problem. Your role is crucial to the recovery of your loved one in their journey to addiction recovery so be steadfast and fight on.