How To Take Care Of Someone With A Serious Addiction Problem
Addiction is a serious mental illness that takes time and effort to treat. It can be hard not only on the afflicted person but on the loved ones as well. People often feel helpless when someone they know is struggling with addiction, but it doesn’t have to be that way. There are some things you can do to take care of someone with a serious addiction problem.
1. Help Them Find Professional Help
When someone you care about is struggling with addiction, it’s only natural to want to help them. However, this is a serious illness that can’t be treated with kind words alone. The best thing you can do for your friend, partner, or family member is to help them look through private treatment programs, and choose one that will suit them best. Getting professional help will not only make it easier for them to get clean, but it will also allow them to understand the underlying causes of addiction and how to deal with them in a healthy way. The facility you choose should focus on mental health, emotional and spiritual stability, physical well-being, as well as neurological development. Leora Ohio Facility provide evidence-based treatment approaches that are tailored to each individual’s unique needs. As you can see – this is a tall order, and no matter how dedicated and resourceful you are – it simply goes beyond the scope of what you can provide on your own.
2. Don’t Enable Them
It’s no secret that addicts can be manipulative in an attempt to excuse and prolong their behavior. They might play on your sympathies, or try to guilt you into giving them what they want. It’s important to remember that addiction is an illness and that the person you care about is not in their right mind. As difficult as it might be, you need to learn how to say “no” when they’re asking for money or other things that would enable their addiction. It’s also important not to make excuses for their behavior or try to cover up for them. While no one likes to think of themselves as an enabler, it’s a very real possibility if you’re not careful. The best way to avoid this is to be honest with yourself and those around you about the situation. Among other things, this means refusing to make compromises or agree on fake solutions. A lot of the time, an addict will try to bargain – they’re going through a hard time, and if you could look the other way just this once, they’ll never use again. Even though it’s important that you’re compassionate, you need to stay firm. Enabling them will only make it harder for them to face the reality of their situation and get the help they need.
3. Avoid Arguing
Some arguments are inevitable. As you can imagine from the previous example – there will be a lot of situations where there’s no other choice but to stand your ground – which can lead to stressful situations. That being said, it’s important to avoid unnecessary arguments. This is because stress is one of the main triggers for addictive behavior. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re about to argue, ask yourself if it’s really worth it. Is this something that can wait? Can it be discussed in a calm and constructive manner? Remember – the goal is to reduce stress, not add to it.
4. Let Them Set The Pace
Addiction takes time to overcome. As much as you might want to see them get better immediately, it’s important to let them set the pace. They need to be the ones in control of their own recovery. This doesn’t mean that you can’t offer support or guidance, but ultimately, it’s up to them to decide when they’re ready to take the next step. Some addicts need to wait for years until they can be around alcohol again without feeling tempted, while others never feel comfortable going to bars again. It can be easy to want to go back to the way things were before they became addicted, but it’s important to remember that this isn’t realistic. Addiction changes people, and you need to be prepared for that.
5. Be There For Them Emotionally
Even the best people do bad things when they develop an addiction. This can take a toll on their emotional state, and it’s important to be there for them when they need you. They might feel guilty, ashamed, or like they’re not good enough. It’s important to remind them that you still love them and that you’re here for them no matter what. This doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything they do, but it does mean that you should be supportive and understanding. Just like you wouldn’t blame a person with cancer for their illness, you shouldn’t blame an addict for their addiction. It’s important to help them realize that what they did while in the throes of addiction is not a representation of who they are as a person.
Addiction is a serious problem that takes time and effort to overcome. It can be difficult not only for the addict but also for their friends and family. If you’re in a situation where you’re taking care of someone with a serious addiction problem, it’s important to be patient, understanding, and supportive. Remember – they’re the ones in control of their own recovery, and you need to let them set the pace. Addiction changes people, but as long as you’re there for them emotionally, they can get through it.
