You have a friend or loved one you think may be using drugs, and you are very concerned about them. How do you get them to stop or keep them from using drugs? Unfortunately, you can’t. Drug addiction is a disease. The National Institute on Drug Abuse “Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts” says:
Many people don’t understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.
How Do You Help Someone Who Is Abusing Drugs
The best thing you can do is educate yourself about the disease to have a better understanding and are better equipped to handle your friend or loved one. Drug addiction is a chronic relapsing disease characterized by drug-seeking behaviors and use that is difficult to control despite any harmful consequences it is causing.
Long-Term Drug Use Affect And Change The Brain
The initial decision to do drugs is voluntary, but after repeated and long-term use, drugs affect and change the brain, making it hard to resist urges. It is important to know that your friend or loved one may be dealing with an undiagnosed and untreated mental health disorder, or they may even have a physical ailment they are experiencing that is driving them to use drugs in the first place. The first thing you should know is that you can’t force someone to get help. Some people do interventions; however, if the person isn’t ready for treatment, they will possibly resent you for doing this. Also, trying to force them to go when they aren’t ready, they will be upset the entire time they are in treatment, and if they don’t leave early, they will probably come right back out and relapse or start over.
Some Other Ways You Can Support Your Loved Ones
If your loved one isn’t ready to get help. The next thing you can do is see if they will agree to see a doctor and mental health provider like a psychiatrist. This way, you can help them maybe get to the bottom of why they continue to use. Some other ways you can help are:
- Be there to listen to them if they need someone to talk to
- Let them know you love them and show compassion and empathy for what they are going through
- Express how their addiction is impacting you, but don’t be judgemental
- Set your boundaries, and be sure to stick to them
- Be consistent in your words and actions. If there are things you will not tolerate, let them know and stick to it.
Whatever you do, do not enable them. If they are asking for money, don’t give it to them. Also, you have got to make sure you are taking care of yourself through all of this. Caring for a friend or loved one with a drug addiction can be very stressful. If you aren’t caring for yourself, you aren’t going to be able to help them. They will eventually hit rock bottom or get sick and tired of being sick and tired. Once they admit they have a problem, then it’s likely that they will be ready to seek out treatment. Be there to support them and offer to help them in any way when they are ready for treatment.
Get Better With Us at Evoke Wellness at Miramar
Evoke Wellness at Miramar is a premier detox and residential treatment facility in South Florida. Going into treatment can be scary and cause a lot of fear, but we are here to help ease that fear and provide you with the most comfortable detox possible. We offer a safe environment and cutting-edge addiction treatment to help those working to overcome addiction. We treat all of our clients with respect and dignity and will work consistently to help build a foundation for long-term sobriety. So, are you sick and tired of being sick and tired, give us a call and let one of our specialists help get you on the road to a new life and lasting recovery?
