Did you know that more people died from drug overdoses in 2021 than any other year? With rising grim statistics like these, it’s never been more important to intervene when someone you love has an addiction. But sometimes it’s hard to know where to start.
Fortunately, there are some strategies that can work. Keep reading to learn how to help a drug addict who doesn’t want help.
Table of Contents
Understand the Types of Addiction and Treatment
The best starting place for helping someone is understanding what addiction can entail. Does your loved one have a problem with alcohol? Or are they using cocaine or meth?
Know what the signs of addiction are and what the stages of addiction look like. Your loved one may be in denial, or they might be at a point where they are acting irrationally. Prepare yourself for unexpected behavior and know that it could change in a matter of days.
Additionally, learn about the treatment options available for their type of addiction. For instance, behavioral counseling may be a viable option. Best of all, it won’t require your loved one to leave town for an extended period of time.
Support groups may be another good choice. These provide a supportive setting where your loved one can articulate their problem and empathize with others in the same situation. They may even be paired with a mentor or sponsor.
Finally, treatment centers may be necessary in some instances. Consider locating the names of a few reputable options that you can have ready if your loved one is willing to talk. Visit this page on affordable drug rehab for more information.
Don’t Enable Your Loved One
Loving a drug addict comes with the challenge of enablement. But enabling a drug addict means you’re only helping them prolong their problem. Avoid trying to help an addicted loved one with one-time payments or other forms of assistance.
A close friend who is addicted to drugs might ask to borrow some money to cover rent. If you have the means, you may be tempted to help them. But if you know they have an addiction, that money may be going toward drugs rather than rent.
Don’t try to apply temporary patches to problems with addiction. Enablement can include trying to shrug off your loved one’s addiction as nonexistent when talking with friends. Or it could mean giving an addicted loved one access to your home for food or lodging.
Even if they seem desperate or grateful, your loved one is using you. They won’t address the heart of their problem if they continue having the means to pursue it. Limit how much help you are willing to offer, even if it hurts to say no.
Hold Your Ground
When you have a loved one in your life battling addiction, it’s easy to shy away from enforcing consequences. After all, if the individual battling addiction is a family member or close friend, you want to be supportive. But sometimes the best support is holding your ground and communicating clearly so they know that you’re serious.
As an example, perhaps you’ve told a son or daughter that you will cut them off financially if they continue using drugs. You may agree to let them continue living in your house as long as they obtain a job. If they fail to do this by an established deadline, however, they will need to leave and you won’t provide financial support.
Follow through on these statements if an adult child fails to meet your requests. Don’t bend and give them second and third chances. While it may feel like tough love to kick them out, it might be the only way to make progress.
Stage an Intervention
You may reach a point where an intervention is the only way to enact any sort of change. In an intervention scenario, you would not be acting alone to help your loved one. Instead, you’ll collaborate with other family members or friends.
It also is wise to bring in the input of a mental health professional or counselor during intervention planning. They can help you formulate questions or talking points. And they even can act as the moderator.
Determine the site where the intervention will occur, but don’t tell your loved one that is the reason they will be going there. Create a list of questions and decide how you will respond to potential outcomes. Your loved one may be very resistant, and you’ll need to determine how that affects you.
For example, if you’ve provided lodging or transportation for them, you may need to stop. On the other hand, if your loved one is compliant, you’ll need a follow-up plan. After all, if they attend treatment, the last thing you want to see is a relapse.
Work with your loved one’s other friends and family members on this. Assign roles so each person is providing support through phone calls, meetings, or other forms of communication. Be persistent in offering your support to give your loved one the best chance of recovery.
Learn How to Help a Drug Addict Who Doesn’t Want Help
Knowing how to help a drug addict who doesn’t want help can empower you to be a positive source of change. Research treatment options for them and avoid enabling them. Work together with other concerned loved ones and, if needed, stage an intervention.
Find more tips to help loved ones in need. Check back soon for future health and addiction articles.
