3 Ways to Help a Drug Addict

If your loved one is struggling with drug addiction there are three ways to help them get the assistance they need to get better and overcome their substance abuse. By setting boundaries, removing obstacles and temptations and showing support during their detox and rehab treatment program, your loved one can overcome their dependency and have a life that is free from addiction.

1. Confront and Set Boundaries

If you continue to ignore your loved one’s drug addiction behavior, you are silently telling them that it is okay. If you confront their drug addiction, whether you do this one on one or with other family and friends in an intervention, you in effect put the individual on notice that their behavior is unacceptable. It is important that you are consistent but not to a point of badgering the individual, which could lead to their accelerated use to avoid having to deal with the nagging about their drug abuse.

It is also important that you set boundaries regarding their drug abuse. The sad truth is that you cannot force your loved one into detox or rehab treatment and you cannot fix their problem, they have to want help. However, you can set boundaries with how far you are willing to go with them while they are abusing drugs. For example, you can refuse to loan them money, stop making excuses for their behavior and allow them to experience the consequences of their behavior and actions. If your loved one continues their drug abuse you can stop spending time with them.

No one will tell you that it will be easy setting boundaries or confronting your loved one and following through will be difficult and probably heartbreaking, but if you really want to help them or encourage them to get the help they need; these are things that must be done.

2. Avoid Temptations

If you abuse drugs, even only mildly, it will be very difficult to set any kind of example to your loved one. Participating in drug use activity, especially with someone that has a drug addiction and you expect them to quit, is not going to be very effective. If your goal is to help a drug addict get help, then you have to be sober yourself. In order to help your loved one, you need to remove the temptations from your life that may affect them.

Do not invite them to your home when you are using drugs and don’t take them someplace where drug use will occur. By helping them avoid temptations, you will be helping them avoid drugs.

3. Offer Support

When your loved one agrees to go to medical detox or a rehab treatment program, show your support by offering to take care of the paperwork and taking them. If they are going to enter a rehab program after detox, pick them up and take them to the center. If your loved one is going to participate in a 12 step program, go with them to meetings. Showing support, spending time with them, finding activities to do that do not involve drug abuse will go a long way in helping them be successful in their sobriety.