Ways of Helping Someone with Drug or Alcohol Addiction

Temptations and cravings often pop up for years after, especially in times of stress. However, with the proper coping techniques as well as with love and support from those surrounding the individual, long-term recovery is absolutely possible. Deciding to intervene in a person’s drug or alcohol use can be something of a judgment call and may require a second opinion from other loved ones or health professionals. Once you have recognized the need for rehab and had the crucial conversation with your loved one, it’s time to navigate the logistics of getting them into a rehab program. This involves researching treatment options, considering insurance and financial considerations, and making arrangements for admission.

Establishing financial boundaries

Your loved one will need to find ways to cope with drug cravings and triggers. You can help distract them with other activities or encourage them to learn how to ride out the urge, but ultimately, they have to be responsible for their own sobriety. Staging an intervention tends to be a last-ditch effort to make someone realize they need treatment. However, many addicts can react angrily when confronted by a group or feel their loved ones are ganging up on them. You don’t have to wait for your loved one to hit rock bottom—to get arrested, lose their job, suffer a medical emergency, or publicly humiliate themselves—to speak out.

How to Encourage Someone to Go to Rehab (The Dos and Don’ts)

This way, they can enter the facility immediately after the intervention, when the intervention’s impact is strongest. However, if they say no, or become hostile when the idea is brought up, it may be time to hire a professional interventionist. An interventionist is a trained specialist that can help family and friends get their loved ones to commit to a recovery plan; they are removed from the situation and can ensure a successful transition. It’s important to help a person with a drug or alcohol addiction understand that addiction can take control over their lives and choices. It does help keep in mind both your mindset and the perspective of the person suffering from substance abuse. If they are not sober, they may lash out during the conversation or otherwise react irrationally.

Individualized Treatment Plans

• Sometimes, that support might require you to give them time and space so that they can do the hard work recovery necessitates.
• Rehab centers often provide educational programs to help individuals understand the nature of addiction and its impact on their lives and provide tools and skills to support long-term recovery.
• An intervention is a straightforward approach that may help a loved one reach an informed decision regarding their recovery options.

The center has locations in West Hollywood, at Mi Centro in East L.A., at its Trans Wellness Center near MacArthur Park and in South L.A.’s Leimert Park neighborhood. The Black Mental Health Alliance offers confidential how to get someone into rehab referrals to culturally competent mental health professionals who are in its database of licensed therapists. After a loved one returns from rehab, families will likely deal with a mix of emotions.

When Is Addiction Help Needed?

Studies show that people who are alcohol dependent are two to three times as likely to suffer from major depression or anxiety over their lifetime. When addressing drinking problems, it’s important to also seek treatment for any accompanying medical and mental health issues. Just as some people with diabetes or asthma may have flare-ups of their disease, a relapse to drinking can be seen as a temporary setback to full recovery and not a complete failure. Seeking professional help can prevent relapse—behavioral therapies can help people develop skills to avoid and overcome triggers, such as stress, that might lead to drinking.

Caregiver Stress and Burnout

Rehab Treatment Types

• While you can support your loved one and encourage treatment, you can’t force them to change or control their decision-making.
• I’ve heard countless “If only I had…” stories from parents, students, and people in addiction recovery.
• Contact us today to learn more about drug or alcohol detox and our other addiction treatment programs that can work well for your needs.
• Encouraging your loved one that seeking some form of professional help for addiction is a positive step towards recovering from drug and alcohol abuse can put them on the path toward a sober life.
• Addiction is considered to be a mental illness, and it can happen to anyone regardless of age, gender, race, or financial situation.