One thing that most people with an addiction need it someone that is there for them. Sometimes it is hard to be there for an addict and sometimes you’ll need to walk away for your own good. However, if you’ve let them know you’re there that will stay with them through their struggles, even after you have to bow out.
The portrayal of addiction in the news is still mostly a negative one. We know addiction is an illness, rather than a choice, but the wrong things are still being done to help those in need. If you want to be part of the solution, understand that addiction is an illness and that there is help for those that want it.
Let Them Know You’re There
The first thing you need to do is let them know that you are there. Sometimes addicts can feel very alone, and even knowing you’re there might not be enough to keep them from getting into trouble, but it is something that they’ll keep in the back of their mind. It will make it so they are more likely to call you when something goes majorly wrong.
Part of letting them know you are there could also be to plan an intervention. This will allow them to see that many people are there for them and concerned about their well-being.
Point Them To Help
One thing the intervention will do is let you give them advice on where to go for help. Bring in a counselor from a treatment facility to talk to them about what options are out there. They may need to go through detox, and they will definitely need to spend some time in therapy.
Understand It’s Mental
In order to be the most help to a friend or family member that suffers from addiction is to better understand addiction. Usually, people who get addicted to substances are using it as a way to self-medicate for underlying issues, like depression and anxiety.
Get to the bottom of what is bothering them if you want to be the most help possible. If you know your friend has been struggling to find gainful employment, that could be what lead to their substance abuse. Once they tried the drug their brain needed it, and now they’re hooked.
Know When To Walk Away
If you have done all of the things above and your relationship with this person is hurting you, mentally or physically, you may need to back away and spend some time without them in your life. Bad things could happen when you do this, but they are just as likely to happen when you’re still in their life. Don’t feel guilty, just know what you are doing is for your own good health too.