How to Help a Loved One With Addiction | Addiction Treatment

Time 2021-10-26 07:05:35

Web Name: How to Help a Loved One With Addiction | Addiction Treatment

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description:Learn how to recognize an addiction in a loved one, how to get the person into treatment, and how to stop enabling and take care of yourself.

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Medically Reviewed How to Help Someone with Drug or Alcohol Addiction

Medically Reviewed by: Scot Thomas, M.D. Edited by: Dan Wagener, M.A. Written by: Marisa Crane, B.S. Last updated on 25 February 2021

On This Page Understanding Substance Addiction Signs and Symptoms of Drug and Alcohol Addiction How to Talk to an Alcohol or Drug Addict When to Have an Intervention How to Stop Enabling and Set Boundaries Exploring Drug and Alcohol Treatment Options How to Support Someone in Recovery Help for Families of Drug Addicts or Alcoholics

Home Addiction Signs, Symptoms, Effects and Treatment How to Help Someone with Drug or Alcohol Addiction

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An addiction can lead to severe emotional and physical pain if left unaddressed. If you are a friend or a family member of someone suffering from an addiction, you may be struggling with how to help them get sober. Start by researching treatment programs and approaching your loved one about the problem. Interventions are an option if the person refuses treatment. Enabling is a common behavior of family members and friends of drug and alcohol addicts, which can lead to further substance abuse. It can be difficult to escape this cycle and help your loved one recover. Learn how to set boundaries with the person and remember to take care of yourself.

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Understanding Substance Addiction

An addiction is a chronic condition characterized by continuing to use drugs or alcohol despite negative consequences. Its important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of an addiction so you can support your loved one in getting the help he or she needs.

Signs and Symptoms of Drug and Alcohol Addiction

A person misusing drugs or alcohol may exhibit a number of signs and symptoms, including:¹

Taking more of the substance than originally intended.Failing to quit or cut down on substance use.Spending an inordinate amount of time getting and using the substance, as well as recovering from its effects.Experiencing strong cravings to use the substance.Neglecting home, school, or work responsibilities in favor of substance use.Continuing to abuse the substance regardless of interpersonal or social problems caused by use.Abandoning previously enjoyed hobbies or activities in favor of substance use.Using the substance in dangerous situations, such as while driving a car.Continuing to abuse the substance despite physical and psychological problems caused or worsened by use.Taking more of the substance to feel the desired effects, or feeling less of an effect with the same amount of the substance.Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped, or taking the substance to prevent or alleviate withdrawal symptoms.Why Supporting a Person with Addiction Can Be Challenging

Many people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol cannot simply stop using. It can be extremely difficult for the person to quit, even if he or she wants to stop. Over time, changes to brain chemistry and altered signaling pathways may occur as a result of chronic drug and alcohol abuse. These brain changes can undermine efforts to quit and ultimately serve to promote continued substance abuse behavior. These neural adaptations also contribute to cravings and drug-seeking behaviors. ²

Keep in mind that your loved ones addiction is not your fault. You can be supportive and helpful, but ultimately the decision to get treatment is up to the individual. Accepting what you can and cannot control is a big part of surviving a loved ones addiction.

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How to Talk to an Alcohol or Drug Addict

There is a misconception that people addicted to drugs or alcohol have to hit rock bottom before seeking help. If you suspect that your loved one has a problem, dont wait to talk to him or her about it. The earlier an addiction is treated, the better.

Although it was once thought that confrontation was the best way to approach a loved one who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, current research reveals that confrontation can be counterproductive and can cause the person to become defensive.³

Developed by Dr. Robert J. Meyers, Ph.D., Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) is an alternative approach to confrontation that teaches concerned family members how to communicate effectively with the addicted person. This program is designed to teach family members strategies that will motivate the substance abuser to seek and enter a recovery program. ⁴

How to Talk to Your Loved One About Getting Help

If youre worried about your loved ones drug or alcohol problem, there are some things you should remember as you approach him or her:

If you can, approach your loved one when he or she is already trying to quit using. This means that he or she has acknowledged the problem and wants to get sober.Express your concern in an empathetic and caring manner.Remain calm, regardless of the response you get.Suggest treatment options and express your willingness to attend family therapy with the person, if desired.What Not to Say to Your Loved OneAvoid approaching the person in public or when he or she is under the influence.Avoid judgment and blame. Those suffering from an addiction often feel shame and guilt associated with substance misuse, and family members should be accepting and open-minded.Avoid being aggressive or confrontational. This behavior could push the person away.

As tempting as it may be to continue making excuses for your loved ones behaviors, CRAFT encourages you to let the person face the consequences of his or her actions. Lying for the person will only cause more harm in the long-run.

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When to Have an Intervention

In an intervention, significant people in the users life, such as family and friends, gather together to share how the addiction has affected them and try to get the user to accept treatment.⁵ Some users are unable to see the negative consequences of their drug use, which is why a structured intervention is valuable.

If your loved one is unwilling to go to addiction treatment, you may want to consider holding an intervention. This can be done on your own or with the aid of a professional. ⁵

If you arent comfortable holding a meeting on your own, you can contact an addiction specialist, interventionist, social worker, or psychologist to help you orchestrate an intervention either in the persons office or at home. A professional can help suggest treatment approaches and design a follow-up plan. When a family uses a professional for an intervention, it can increase the odds of success. ⁵

Intervention Services and Interventionist Options

Interventions are face-to-face meetings between someone who is abusing drugs or alcohol and people who are affected by the persons behavior. An interventionist is someone trained in organizing effective interventions.

Intervention Risks

Holding an intervention comes with some risks, however. The individual may:

Become defensive and leave the situation.Feel alienated and isolated from family and friends.Feel stigmatized and shame associated with addiction.

Although a professional is not necessary, interventions are more likely to be successful if they are facilitated by a professional. Still, interventions may not work for everyone. Your loved one may refuse addiction treatment right away, but may seek help later on as a result of the intervention. ⁵ Dont try to force him or her to get help before he or she is ready.

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How to Stop Enabling and Set Boundaries

Many people are in denial about having an addiction to drugs or alcohol. This denial may partially be due to enabling, which means that the loved one allows the addiction to continue without consequences.

It can be easy to fall into the habit of enabling your friend or family members addiction, under the impression that you are helping. But it can actually prolong the problem and cause more harm in the long-run.

Some signs that you are enabling include:

Repeatedly bailing the person out of jail.Lending the person money.Lying to others to cover up negative behaviors.Allowing the person to deal drugs out of your house.Blaming others for the persons behavior.

Enablers often neglect their own needs in favor of the addicts, which can lead to serious emotional, financial, and interpersonal problems.

What Are Boundaries?

It can be difficult to escape the cycle of enabling, which is why you need to begin by setting boundaries, which help to protect your emotional and physical health. You must decide what you are no longer willing to accept and make these boundaries clear to your loved one.

Boundaries wont work if you arent willing to follow through. Enforcing boundaries can be extremely difficult, but without them, the addiction is likely to continue and keep harming the family.

Examples of Boundaries

Every relationship and addiction is different. But a few examples of boundaries and rules you may set include:

I refuse to bail you out of jail anymore.I will not tolerate you drinking or using drugs in the house. If you do, you will not be allowed to live here anymore.I will not lie about your intoxication or hangovers anymore.I refuse to call in sick to work for you.I refuse to lend you money to support your habit.I will not tolerate your angry outbursts toward me. If you exhibit aggressive behaviors, you will not be allowed to live here anymore.

Boundaries dont need to be limited to the examples above. Behaviors vary.

Its also important that you begin taking care of yourself, both physically and emotionally. Enablers often avoid self-care and suffer emotional consequences as a result.

Once you stop making excuses and covering up for your loved one, he or she will be forced to face the consequences of his or her actions.

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Exploring Drug and Alcohol Treatment Options

If your loved one is willing to go to treatment, you can do some research on types of programs in your area. Below are the most common forms of recovery programs:

Inpatient: An inpatient or residential program can provide treatment for someone suffering from a relatively severe addiction because it requires that the person live at the facility for the duration of treatment, while participating in a structured and intensive program.Outpatient: Outpatient treatment settings are good options for individuals with relatively less severe or long-standing addictions who cannot afford to neglect their home, work, or school responsibilities while receiving treatment. Your loved one can reside at home while attending the recovery program about 1-2 times per week.Individual therapy: A therapist will use interventions designed to address underlying issues influencing your loved ones addiction. A goal of therapy is to rectify negative or maladaptive behaviors while building healthy coping skills.

Group counseling: During group counseling sessions, recovering users share stories, successes, and coping strategies with one another. Social support is a powerful factor in addiction recovery.Dual diagnosis: Dual diagnosis refers to the presence of a substance addiction and a co-occurring mental health disorder. If your loved one suffers from a mental health condition, find a treatment center that has experience treating dual diagnoses.12-step programs: Fellowship programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, are free to join and provide members with support and encouragement as they work the 12 steps of recovery.Alternative programs: SMART Recovery and Secular Organizations for Sobriety are evidence-based, alternative groups that focus on self-empowerment and self-reliance.

One type of treatment is not superior to another. The kind of program that will work best for your loved one largely depends on his or her specific needs. Factors that can affect which type of treatment you choose are how serious the addiction is, whether the person needs treatment for medical or mental health problems, the type of insurance you have, and whether the person needs detox.

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Health Insurance Providers and Coverage Levels

Visit the links below to find out more about insurance coverage levels for drug and alcohol rehab.

Blue Cross Blue Shield InsuranceHumana InsuranceAetna InsuranceKaiser Permanente Insurance

How to Support Someone in Recovery

It can be helpful to learn about the recovery process so you know what to expect when your loved one enters treatment. You may also be asked to take part in family therapy sessions as part of an inpatient or outpatient program. These sessions are meant to identify any unhealthy patterns in the family that may be contributing to addiction and to improve communication. Family therapy can be helpful in undoing enabling behaviors and replacing them with healthy and supportive behaviors.

Aftercare Programs

No matter what recovery program you choose, make sure that your loved ones program sets him or her up with some kind of aftercare, which is ongoing treatment following the completion of the initial program. Some examples of aftercare include:

Sober living homes.12-step programs.Therapy and counseling.Outpatient treatment.Recovering From Relapse

Aftercare plans are meant to decrease the risk of relapse. But if your loved one relapses, its OK. Relapse is a common part of the recovery process. Have the person discuss the relapse with his or her therapist or sponsor and decide whether he or she needs to re-enter treatment.

Be empathetic and supportive. Recovery takes time, and some people require multiple treatment programs before finding one that works best for them.

Once your loved one completes his or her recovery program, it may take some time for both of you to adjust to new dynamics in the family. Patience and encouragement are essential following release from a rehab.

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Help for Families of Drug Addicts or Alcoholics

Safety should always come first. If you or others in your family are in physical danger, you should leave the situation and find a secure environment.

Find a support group or see a therapist in order to care for yourself. Some examples of support groups for family members of addicts include:

Nar-Anon: for family members of drug addicts.Al-Anon: for family members of an alcoholic.Co-Dependents Anonymous: designed for people who desire more healthy, loving relationships and freedom from compulsive and/or controlling behaviors.SMART Recovery Family Friends: a science-based, secular alternative to Nar-Anon and Al-Anon.

Support groups put you in contact with other people who have been through similar situations. You can share experiences, offer and receive advice, and realize that you are not alone.

Self-Care

In addition to seeking outside support, engage in activities that you enjoy. Enablers spend so long putting the addicts needs before their own that they must make it a point to engage in previously enjoyed hobbies once again. Surviving a loved ones addiction can be taxing, which is why stress-management is vital.

Below are some different options that can help to relieve stress:

YogaMeditationExerciseJournalingReadingListening to musicDeep breathingGuided imageryDrawing or painting

Throughout your loved ones recovery process, it can help to remind yourself that his or her addiction is not your fault. The only person you can control is yourself and how you respond to situations.

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Learn more about helping a loved one with an addiction: Adult Children of Alcoholic Parents: Treatment and RecoveryHow to Help an Alcoholic Family MemberForum Discussion: Assisting Your Loved One Through Recovery

Paying for Rehab Treatment

How Much Does Rehab Cost?Free Rehab GuideState Funded Rehab GuideUsing InsuranceAetna InsuranceBlue Cross Blue Shield InsuranceHumana Health InsuranceKaiser Permanente

Additional Resources on Drug and Alcohol Treatment

Alcohol TreatmentAlcohol Abuse HotlinesCrisis and Substance Abuse and Addiction Resource GuideDrug and Alcohol Recovery HotlinesDrug Rehab For CouplesInpatient Centers28-30 Day Drug Treatment program60-Day Drug Rehab90-day-programHow to Stop Drug or Alcohol AbuseSources

[1]. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders: DSM-5. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association.

[2]. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2012). Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction.

[3]. HBO. Getting an Addict into Treatment: The CRAFT Approach.

[4]. Robert J. Meyers, Ph.D. (2014). CRAFT.

[5]. National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. (2016). Intervention Tips and Guidelines.

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Dr. Scot Thomas received his medical degree from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine. During his medical…

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