How To Help A Family Member With Drug Addiction

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How To Help A Family Member With Drug Addiction
If you are reading this, the chances are that you
have someone close to you, perhaps a family
member, partner or a friend who is struggling
with a drug addiction.
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Getting a loved one to seek help for an addiction
is often a very challenging and draining process.
What is clearly evident to you and to others,
they simply cannot or will not see and admit the
truth. We hope that this post will provide some
insight into your loved ones thinking and how to
best approach the subject of drug rehab and
addiction treatment with them.
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• Signs And Symptoms Of Drug Abuse
• Part of the problem when it comes to confronting
  a family member or loved one around using drugs
  is the uncertainty if they actually are. You may
  have suspicions, but is that enough to challenge
  them and get them to seek help? Probably not.
• Unless a drug addict is faced with the cold hard
  facts about themselves, they are likely to just
  deny that there is a problem. There can be one of
  two reasons for this
• Addiction causes deluded thinking, they may
  genuinely think they are in control.
• If they admit that they have a problem then they
  are admitting that they need help they may not
  have reached the point yet where they are willing
  to stop.
• It is useful to look for signs and symptoms of
  drug abuse and present these to them as genuine
  reasons for concern.

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• Physical signs of drug abuse
• The pupils of their eyes are abnormally large or
  extremely small
• Dramatic changes in weight and appetite
• Sleeping too much or sleeping too little and at
  odd times
• They struggle to concentrate and hold a
  conversation
• Their speech is unusually slurred, excited and
  fast, or delayed and slow
• They are neglecting their physical appearance
  and hygiene

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• Behavioural symptoms of drug abuse
• A marked change in their personality and they
  are acting out of character
• They seem lethargic or full of energy (depending
  on the drug they may swap between the two)
• Depression and loss of interest in family and
  old friends
• Ritualistic behaviour
• They are easily irritated and can be unusually
  aggressive
• Dramatic changes in their priorities
• Involvement in crime
• They have suddenly gained a new network of
  friends
• Isolating and being non communicative
• Secrecy and dishonesty

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Signs and symptoms of drug abuse can vary
depending on the drug. Any marked change in their
appearance and behaviour should not be ignored.
If you have found drugs or drug paraphernalia
(items that are used to administer drugs) then it
is highly likely that they do have a drug problem
or a drug addiction. That being the case, you
should speak to them about seeking treatment.
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Tips On Speaking To Your Family Member About A
Drug Addiction
Broaching this subject is not easy, you may have
mentioned your concerns before only for them to
be dismissed or met with defensiveness. Timing
is important, try to speak to your loved one when
you are calm and they are approachable. We
suggest that choose a time when they are not
intoxicated. Otherwise it is very unlikely that
you will get any reason from them or that they
will be able to recall the conversation
after. It is also helpful to educate yourself
around addiction and the drug you suspect they
are using. It is also important to suggest a
viable solution to the problem.
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Tip 1 Speak to them when they are not high and
seem approachable Tip 2 Keep your manner calm,
approachable and factual Tip 3 If there are
other household or family members that they are
likely to listen to, do ask them to get
involved. Tip 4 Present the evidence of why you
think they have a problem with drugs. Relate
specific incidents where they were under the
influence. Tip 5 Do not accuse, express your
concerns based on fact Tip 6 Tell them how
their behaviour is affecting you and the rest of
the household Tip 7 Tell them what you know of
drug addiction and that you understand that they
need professional help Tip 8 Offer to support
them in accessing addiction treatment or drug
rehab.
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Once you have finished expressing your wish for
them to get help, you may be surprised in that
they acknowledge that they have a problem. If
they still deny there is a problem, despite
evidence to the contrary, leave the talk until
the next time they surface from a drug
binge. What To Do If They Want Help If your
family member admits that they want help and that
their drug problem or addiction is out of
control, if financially viable, inpatient drug
rehab offers the best addiction treatment
outcome. Drug rehab also offers a medical and
secure environment in which they can be safely
and comfortably detoxed.
If they want help but you do not have the means
to finance private rehab, suggest that your loved
one contacts their local drug and alcohol team
and also Narcotics Anonymous to find out where
there is a local meeting they can attend. If
private rehab is an option please do call us to
discuss our residential treatment programme.
Alternatively, complete our online assessment
form and we will call you.
The Original article Published at
stepbysteprecovery
https//www.stepbysteprecovery.co.uk/how-to-help-a
-family-member-with-drug-addiction/