When a loved one is struggling with addiction, it can be hard to watch. Knowing that they need to ultimately decide to get help themselves can weigh heavily on a person, but figuring out how to help a loved one find treatment is something you can do. Presenting them with research, options, and support will go a long way in their recovery process.
First and Foremost
Emotions can run high between family members when loved ones try to help the person dealing with addiction get help. Drastic measures are sometimes taken and often end up at extreme ends of the spectrum. Some families threaten to cut off support. Others try to put the pieces back together for the family member that needs help. Neither of these options ends up working out well for any of the family members. So it’s important to remember to keep your emotions in check, to be firm but loving, and to listen to the one battling the addiction and treat them fairly. Working to minimize temptations and triggers for your loved one and setting healthy boundaries for yourself are two ways to help without enabling.
Identifying Addiction
When it comes to how to help a loved one find treatment, you have to first be able to determine that something is wrong. These are behaviors to be watching for:
- Signs of depression
- Severe changes in priorities, habits, or interests
- An increase in troublemaking, dangerous activities, or illegal involvement
- Financial problems
- Mood changes, especially sudden ones including increased irritability or aggression
- Extreme lethargy or sleeping more often
- Drastic changes in physical appearance, eating habits, or lifestyle
Becoming Educated on Forms of Treatment
Once you recognize that your loved one needs help, but before you approach them with your thoughts and offers of support, you need to do some research. Approaching them without doing your homework can backfire. Knowing that they might deny they have a problem can help you be prepared for that scenario. Researching the different options for rehab centers, the types of help offered, and the process of going through treatment are all critical to understanding how to help your loved one.
Facing any problem without offering solutions is just complaining. Help avoid our loved one feeling nagged or ganged up on by also offering solutions on how they can get better and overcome their addiction. However, don’t rush into this information either. Offer it up as, “Now that we’ve talked about your addiction, I wanted to let you know I did some research on ways for you to beat it. I’m here to talk when you’re ready.” You can also leave them with any brochures you collected or notes you took.
Approaching Your Loved One
As stated before, remember to approach your loved one gently. Offer your ear and let them talk. Try to listen without being judgemental. You can ask questions that guide the conversation and keep it going if it stalls or your loved one becomes hesitant, but avoid being pushy. Just opening up the lines of communication and letting them know you are there for them is a good start. Here are some suggested things to say during your conversation:
- I’ve been worried about you lately. How are you doing?
- How can I best support you right now?
- Have you considered seeking help?
- You’re not alone, even when it feels that way.
The most important thing to remember is that your job is to provide support and listen. You’re opening up the door, so they trust you to help them get the help they need. The goal is for them to seek help eventually. Once you’ve figured out how to help a loved one find treatment, be sure to be encouraging during the process and follow up on their recovery.
When it’s Time to Get Help
When you’ve worked out how to help a loved one find treatment, it’s up to them to get help. When they ready to seek out help for their addiction, Serenity Light Recovery is here to help. Call us at (281) 431-6700 or visit our website to learn more about our programs and how we can help get them on the path to recovery.
As our CEO, Heather’s main calling is to stay true to the vision of the organization, which is saving lives and striving to redefine statistics by raising the standard of care with evolving treatment methods. Heather studied psychology at LSU and both the main and Clear Lake campuses of the University of Houston, and she is a certified IASIS provider and CPI instructor. She’s been helping people in recovery since 2011. Heather’s motto to live by is “I am not what I’ve done; I am what I’ve overcome.”