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How to Help a Family Member with Addiction?

Learn how to help a family member with alcohol addiction or drug misuse through interventions and empathetic communication.

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Addiction & Its Impact

What is Addiction?

You may not know how to help a loved one battling an addiction. Addiction is a complex disease that affects people and their families. It is important to handle this situation carefully. Here are some tips for approaching someone who needs help from addiction.

Addiction is a disease that affects the brain and the body. People with addiction often feel strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop using drugs or alcohol. People who suffer from addiction may have trouble controlling their actions and share negative thoughts and feelings.

The brain and the body are impacted by addiction.

Table of Contents

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Practical Ways to Support a Loved One

Tips on How to Help a Family Member with Drug Addiction

1. BE EMPATHETIC

The first step is to be empathetic. The more you understand your loved one’s situation, the more you can offer support. It does not matter if you are the person struggling with addiction or if you are the person who is supporting them. Being compassionate and listening to what they say is critical in this situation.

2. KNOW WHAT TO DO

When you are aware of the effects of addiction, it can help you to understand what your loved one may be experiencing. You may assist a close friend or family member through several methods.

Knowing what to do is the first step in practical support for someone struggling with addiction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration can help if you’re unsure what to do.

3. LISTEN

When your loved one is fighting addiction, listening is essential. Listening to what they say is important, even if you do not understand. This is because the more you listen, the more you know what is happening.

4. UNDERSTAND

The next step is to understand what is going on. This is the most crucial step when supporting a loved one with an addiction. You need to know why they are struggling. This cannot be easy, but you need to understand.

The more you understand, the more you can help.

5. OFFER SUPPORT

The final step is to offer support. This is the most critical step in practical support for someone struggling with addiction. You need to be a source of support and understanding. You can help them with the struggles they are facing, and you can help them find the help they need.

We all know it is good to do something for the ones we love, and we should be there for them when they need us. This can be difficult, not easy, but it is essential to offer support. If you are the one who is struggling with addiction, you need to find the help you need.

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Encouraging Acceptance & Treatment

What is an Intervention?

Now you have known tips to approach your loved ones suffering from addiction. The next step is to help them overcome that addiction with successful intervention. When a loved one is addicted to drugs or alcohol, family and friends may plan an intervention. This can also involve trained professionals, like therapists who specialize in addiction.

It’s common for someone from your loved one’s religious group or others who care to get involved.

Interventionists help your loved one see the effects of their addiction. They encourage them to accept treatment. This process is known as “the intervention.”

It gives detailed instances of damaging actions and their effect on your addicted loved one’s family and friends. It provides a treatment strategy with predetermined activities, objectives, and recommendations. If your loved one rejects therapy, make it clear what each individual involved will do.

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Steps Involved in a Successful Intervention

What is the Procedure for an Intervention?

In most cases, an intervention entails the following measures:

1. YOU NEED TO HAVE A STRATEGY:

Family or friends come up with the idea of intervention and get together a team to make it happen. To increase your chances of success, talk to an expert in addiction treatment. This could be a doctor, counselor, or interventionist.

An intervention may elicit strong emotions such as rage, hatred, or a feeling of guilt among those involved.

2. OBTAIN INFORMATION:

It is essential to gather as much information as possible about the individual. There are several ways to do this. The first is to talk to the individual, their spouse, and other family members or friends. The second is to speak to the individual’s therapist.

3. ASSEMBLE A GROUP OF SPECIALISTS:

Individuals from the planning team are assigned to the intervention and are expected to participate in its implementation. Teams work together on a pre-planned presentation date and venue, then deliver under the agreed-upon strategy.

Non-family team members often help with debates about facts. They tend to agree with ideas instead of strong emotions.

4. SETTLE ON A SET OF OUTCOMES:

Outcomes are usually the specific steps that will be taken following the intervention. These are usually a requirement for the addict’s admission to treatment. The support group should decide on a clear set of recommendations for the addict and should state these clearly to the addict.

5. CONSIDER WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY:

Each family member shares how addiction has impacted their lives. They talk about emotional pain and financial struggles. As you bring up the negative consequences of their actions, show your concern and the hope that they will improve.

6. SCHEDULE A MEETING:

Your addicted loved one gets summoned to the intervention location without providing a cause for their summons.

Afterward, each team member has a turn voicing their worries and opinions. The medical team gives your loved one a treatment choice. They expect them to accept this decision right away, without more discussion.

Your loved one’s team members will detail what modifications they intend to make if they don’t get your approval. Make sure you’re prepared to carry out whatever consequences you threaten if you do so.

7. FOLLOW UP:

Helping someone with addiction remain in treatment and prevent relapsing requires the support of a partner, relatives, or others.

Relapse may be avoided by modifying your daily routines, participating in therapy sessions with a loved one, obtaining help for yourself, and understanding what to do in the event of a recurrence.

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Evidence-Based Approaches

Discover an Effective Plan of Recovery

It’s essential to consider the many therapy choices available since some of them are beneficial. Assess your and your loved one’s objectives to determine which strategies are most appropriate.

Various treatment options are available depending on the type of addiction, including counseling or outreach programs.

There are a few alternatives, such as:

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is based on the belief that addiction is a learned behavior. The treatment involves changing a person’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to reduce cravings and triggers. Group or individual sessions are available for this therapy.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT is a treatment for anger, aggression, and impulsivity that successfully treats addictive behaviors. DBT includes cognitive and behavioral strategies to help people cope with emotions and change their destructive behavior.

12-Step Programs

12-step programs believe that recovery starts with admitting an addict’s weaknesses. They also encourage turning to a higher power for help. The 12-step programs are often the only alternative for individuals in the throes of addiction.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

MAT involves taking prescribed medication to help with withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapses. For example, in the case of opioids, it consists in taking the drug under medical supervision.

Online Psychotherapy

Helps people think about how their lives will improve after they stop using. These treatment programs usually include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and behavior change techniques.

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Strategies for Encouraging Treatment Acceptance

What If Your Loved One Rejects You?

If they decline your assistance, there is nothing you can do. One way to help someone who refuses drug abuse treatment is to understand their addiction. Then, find ways to encourage them to change.

Alternatively, to challenge them, provide them reasons to see a physician. A medical expert can convince a loved one or friend to seek help for their addiction better than a family member.

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In Conclusion

Encouraging and Respecting Choices in Addiction Treatment

Substance use disorder can be a devastating issue for a loved one. If your loved one is addicted to alcohol or drugs, it’s essential to help them stay clean and sober. By assisting your loved one with addiction, you can positively impact their life.

However, it would help if you did not act as a judge. They should accept their loved one’s choice to get help.

Written By:

Geoffrey Andaria mental health writer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Geoffrey Andaria is an experienced mental health content writer and editor. With a B.A. in English and Journalism, Geoffrey is highly educated in freelance articles and research. Having taken courses on social work, Geoffrey is adamant about providing valuable and educational information to individuals affected by mental health and the disease of addiction.

Medically Reviewed By:

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

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