Helping with Addiction?
At Siam Rehab we not only communicate with patients, but also with their family members (at the request of the patient and with their consent). In many of these situations, the family is wanting to know how they can help their loved one after rehab. However, we also receive calls from concerned individuals who know someone with an addiction, and are unsure about how they can help them. This is what we will discuss in this article.
There is no definitive rulebook that states how to help someone with an addiction. Regardless of how obvious the addiction might be, committing to offer help and support to a family member or friend is something that may be inherently difficult. The reality of the situation; however, is that it must be done. Furthermore, the more support you provide, the more your loved one will be likely to get help and stick on the right path. Although no two situations are exactly alike, and every person might react differently, the following advice may be able to inform you on how to take the right action.
What You Should Know About Helping Someone with an Addiction
Before you begin to help someone with an addiction, it is important you remember:
- Honesty is very important
- It is crucial you build trust
- Privacy should apply – even in the case of an addiction
- Threats and harsh criticism will very likely lead to failure
- Lasting change does not happen quickly
- Have patience
There Will Be Challenges
When you decide you are committed to helping someone overcome their addiction, you can expect challenges to present themselves. It is important that while the list of challenges can seem overwhelming, they are not insurmountable. You should be ready to understand that your loved one:
- Will likely deny they have a problem
- May enjoy their addiction at times
- May be very scared of losing their family or job
- May have legal problems
- May feel ashamed and unwilling to talk about the issue
- Will likely have deeply rooted issues that have led to their addiction
Helping someone with an addiction does not mean that there will be one, fast, and simple solution. You will need to think about the situation as something that will evolve over time. You will be able to help him or her, but it may take a lot of support, techniques, and steps. In general, long term planning is an ideal way towards recovery. This way of thinking might also help you cope with the situation; thus, preventing you from setting unrealistic expectations.
Trust is Crucial Towards Helping Someone with an Addiction
Addiction can inevitably lead to the development of trust issues. As someone who is trying to help a person with an addiction, it is important you take time to rebuild trust. The following behaviours are typically considered to be detrimental to building trust:
- People with an addiction may feel like they are not trusted when they are constantly told what to do.
- Stress can encourage arguments and unfair accusations, try to bring forth a sense of calmness
- A person who is seeking trust from others should set the example with trustworthy behaviours
Trust is a complicated topic, especially when it comes to helping someone. Even when you have a person’s best interests in mind, they might feel as if you are controlling them. In this situation, a cycle of elevated substance use can happen. To begin, try to set boundaries and stick to them. If you believe trust is not possible at the moment, you might want to consider speaking with a therapist or support group for advice and guidance.
The Treatment Process
Every person will require their own treatment needs and processes. Luckily, there are a broad range of approaches that have proven to be successful. Once you are able to encourage your loved one to get help, be sure that you have a facility in mind, such as Siam Rehab.
If you are trying to help a person with an addiction, there is no one size fits all formula that is guaranteed to work. If you remember that change is possible, especially when you give it time and patience, build reciprocal trust, and communicate without criticising. At Siam Rehab, we have helped many friends and families talk their loved one into getting help. If you would like to help someone with an addiction, and you don’t know where to begin, call us today to see if we can guide you in the right direction.
