How To Talk About Addiction to a Loved One
Children, friends, and other family members often face different challenges when one of their loved ones struggles with addiction. Your friend may appear repulsive or show that they don’t value your relationship, but this is the time they require your love, help, and support more. Again, your intervention could be the cure your friend needs to break loose from the trap of addiction. Consider talking to the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) group representative in your area to guide you on the right alcohol treatment Denver professionals and the options available.
How Can You Help an Addict?
The first step is understanding what addiction means. The American Medical Association recognized it as a chronic disease characterized by psychological, biological, and social alterations, in 1956. As such, medical experts equate addiction to renowned chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, or hypertension, and as in the case of these conditions, a person struggling with substance use disorder requires your love, support, care, and treatment.
There are many ways you can help an addict. However, a rehabilitation center is the most effective place to seek addiction treatment. Your kin meets professionals and survivors to provide emotional support and receive medication to ease the withdrawal symptoms.
When to Talk About Addiction
Avoid raising the issue when your friend is under the influence of the addictive substance since they’re not likely to listen to you at that moment and may get violent.
The best time to raise the conversation is when your friend is sober. It’s even better if you find them having hangovers or recovering from a remorseful incident inspired by the substance intake. Of course, that will make you more relevant, but it isn’t necessary. Instead, you should aim to weave in the pattern of events that make the substance a negative influence in your friend’s life.
How To Bring on The Conversation
Don’t worry about pulling it off as an expert. You only need to remember your reason for doing this, and let the passion for helping your friend guide you into initiating the talk. However, avoid stigmatizing phrases and talks, like nagging, blaming, or pleading, since such will make them coil and dodge the conversation. Instead, strive to be as empathetic as possible.
Similarly, weaving in the impacts’ addiction has on your friend’s hobbies, interests, and the people they deeply love and care for will make you more convincing. Consider the effects on their career, children’s affairs, and passion, such as football. However, be prepared for your friend’s reactions, as they may or may not buy into your idea.
What if Your Friend Says No to Your Attempts?
Denial is one of the significant symptoms of addiction, and your friend may say no. If it happens, assure them that you’re ready to help any time they change their mind, and (if possible) share a contact of an AA representative in your area. Your friend may consider your advice sooner than you think and reach out for help.
What if Your Friend Accepts Your Help?
You should be ready for this way before initiating the conversation. Learn about possible treatment options, know the professionals you can turn to, and, if possible, have some helpful contacts in case you get a straight yes. Thus, you know the next step to take before your friend changes their mind.
Recovery is a committing journey, and your friend will probably be busy making the behavioral adjustments or concentrating on their treatment. Don’t fret that you are not as close as you used to be. Just continue offering your support where possible.