How to Help a Loved One Overcome an Addiction

Loving and supporting a friend or family member who is an addict can be one of the most draining and difficult things a person can experience in their lifetimes.  When someone has an addiction, it takes over their life until they seek help. 

 

Even after they have completed rehab and they are on the road to recovery, they will still be in a tumultuous state for many months and even years.  As they say, an addict is always an addict, even if they haven’t used in years.  It takes just one slip to go careening down that slope until they are back in the clutches of the drug.  They (and you) need to be constantly aware of this to have any hope whatsoever of staying clean.

How can your support a loved one who is recovering from addiction?  The first thing that you must to is get involved in the recovery process.  Don’t be shy or hang back out of fear of what you do not understand.  Let him or her know that you are there for them.  This doesn’t mean that you become an enabler, just that you are there for the support they need emotionally and morally through their recovery.

Make sure that there is nothing in the environment that could possibly trigger a relapse during the recovery.  If you are dealing with an alcoholic, keep your home a sober place and don’t drink yourself if you can help it.  Offer to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings with your friend if they are nervous or inconsistent about going.  If you must buy alcohol for a party or event, don’t keep the bottles in the house or garage where it could be found and consumed. 

 

Likewise, if you are dealing with a drug addict, make sure that they stay away from their old friends who are users, or that if they must see the person or people, that you or a trusted person goes with them.  Be on the lookout for money or items of value going missing.  If the person is at the point where they don’t trust themselves, invest in a safe and keep all your cash and valuables in there while the person is staying with you.

 

If the person must go to rehab, help them vet the place before they attend it, and go there yourself and ask around to see what attendees privately think of the place.  I myself had a personal friend die after overdosing on drugs they obtained while actually in rehab, so never assume that they are in a totally safe place while they are attending rehab.  Even if drugs become available to them, they must rely on their own inner strength to resist them.  Part of our inner strength comes from the hearts and words of friends and family, so it is up to you to give hem the advice, support and encouragement they need to get through rehab and come out the other side in one piece.

 

Throughout all of the above, watch carefully for the signs of a relapse during the recovery, but do not accuse your loved one unjustly.  If they are not relapsing, an accusation may anger or upset them and push them over the edge.

It is important to remember that this person is still the person you loved before they became an addict.  Just as a person with cancer is still the same person, look on their addiction as a disease, not a weakness or a selfish personal choice.  If you are there and you are supportive through the recovery process, it will make their recovery much easier.

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