Substance use can negatively affect the life of the person using it, as well as the people around them. It can be pretty painful to have a loved one with a drug addiction. When someone you care about shows the signs of a substance use disorder, it can be hard to figure out what to say or do. This can be a parent, a sibling, a friend, a relative, or even a coworker. You may be constantly worried about their whereabouts and concerned about their wellbeing. This constant stress can often become overwhelming to deal with, not allowing you to relax.
You may want to help, and it is important to remember that there are steps you can take to intervene. Your support can play an important role in your loved one's recovery from addiction. Emotional support for addiction from friends, families, and other loved ones can be of great help. However, at the same time, you need to pay attention to your own self and your boundaries in this process.
Understanding 'Addiction'
Before we can move to figuring out how to help a loved one with a drug addiction, we need to understand what an addiction means.
An addiction is defined as engaging in behaviors for which the rewarding effects provide a compelling incentive to repeat the activity despite detrimental consequences. These behaviors include the use of substances like alcohol and drugs, as well as other addictive behaviors like gambling. The common characteristic is that these behaviors are detrimental to the person's well-being. Addiction to alcohol, drugs and other substances, in clinical terms, is known as substance use disorder.
Biologically, the use of substances activates reward systems in the brain, which produces the 'high' feeling. This rewarding feeling is often so overwhelming that people ignore the detrimental effect of these substances on their health and continue their use. Over time, with continued use, they develop a tolerance to the substance. This means they need an increasing amount of the substance to experience its effects to the same degree. On stopping usage, they start experiencing withdrawal symptoms as well. Over time, pursuit of the pleasurable effects of the substance or behavior may dominate their day-to-day activities.
Continued substance use has detrimental effects on a person's well-being, such as deteriorating physical health, reduced concentration and ability to focus, hopelessness, and feelings of shame and guilt. They may withdraw from all areas of life, such as personal and professional life. They may realize that substance use is not good for them, yet struggle to let go and curb usage.
Signs of a Drug Addiction
How can you identify if your loved one is using drugs? Here are some signs to look out for:
- They show changes in their daily activities and behaviors, such as changes in sleeping patterns, fatigue, sudden weight gain or loss, forgetfulness, withdrawal from activities, and increased irritability.
- They are experiencing problems at work or school and at home. For someone in school, this might include their grades suffering. For an office-going person, there might be a decline in their work performance. At home, they may neglect responsibilities.
- They may be secretive and discreet, appearing irritable and withdrawn. They may lash out if you ask them too many questions about their whereabouts.
- Another sign is that they are struggling with money. They may be borrowing money constantly to support their continued drug use.
- They may neglect themselves, such as not keeping up with their appearance and not caring what they look like. They may appear shaky and distant.
- If they are on prescription medicines, renewing their prescription more frequently than needed can be another sign.
If you notice these signs in a loved one, it might be good to talk to other people or a professional who can help you figure out what to do further.
Getting Help
When dealing with substance use, early identification can be the thing that saves you. Early identification refers to stepping in at the early stages. A substance addiction only gets worse as time goes by, making it more difficult to get over. Treatment in the early stages of a substance use disorder is likely to be less intense, less disruptive, and cause less anxiety.
If you think that a loved one might have a substance use disorder, treatments are available that can help. Along with that, social support has been observed to be very helpful in overcoming addictions and helping the person cope.
Tips for Helping Someone with a Drug Addiction
Be Patient
Patience is crucial when helping someone overcome a drug addiction. When bringing up the topic of treatment for addiction in the first place, it can be difficult to get the person to agree to seek help. It may take multiple rounds of dialogue to get to a stage where the person considers the idea of seeking help. When it comes to the actual addiction treatment options, it is a lengthy and often draining process, with a high likelihood of relapse (going back to using after a period of withdrawal). Thus, setting your expectations accordingly is important.
Throughout this process, try to be there for the person. Let them know that you are there for them in the long haul.
Show Empathy
Remember, no individual chooses to develop an addiction. Empathy is very important when talking to a person who might be experiencing addiction. Instead of being judgmental and lashing out, try to be as gentle as possible and talk to them calmly. Avoid being speculative or forcing them to believe there is a problem. At the end of the day, the person themself has to come to the realization that they need help to be able to accept it.
Encourage Them to Seek Help
Once the person has accepted that they need help, push them to actually get that help. Some might be able to cut back on their substance usage on their own, especially if that is done within the earlier stages. If they are not able to do so on their own, you can suggest they go for professional help. There are a range of addiction recovery resource options available today, such as psychotherapy, medication, and detoxification programs. Encouraging them to seek help in the form of social support can also be helpful - support groups, both online and offline, can help with this.
Speak to a Professional
Addictions can be tricky to manage. It is best to speak with a professional. A professional can help you figure out what course of action is the best to begin the conversation while also helping you with your own emotional well-being.
Set Your Boundaries
As much as you need to be there for the person experiencing the addiction, it is also important to look out for yourself. Only when you are settled yourself will you be able to help your loved one get the help they need. Without boundaries, you may eventually feel burned out from all the attempts to cover up, excuse, or compensate for your behavior.
Takeaway
Watching a loved one struggle with addiction can be extremely painful. The person you knew might seem to disappear as they become consumed by their addiction. It's natural to feel a range of emotions, from sadness and frustration to anger and helplessness. However, remember that your feelings are valid, and taking care of your own mental health is just as important as supporting your loved one. Your support as a family member or as a friend can be valuable in helping the person recover.
Solh Wellness can help you support your loved one on their road to recovery. At Solh Wellness, we understand the complexities of addiction and the impact it can have on individuals and their families. We offer a range of services to support those struggling with addiction, including counseling, support groups, and educational resources.
Explore a range of informative articles to understand and learn more about addiction and substance use disorders.
Connect with a like-minded community that understands you through our support groups, share your experiences, and hear from those who may have dealt with similar problems.
Reach out to our range of qualified mental health professionals for guidance and explore addiction treatment options to move towards recovery.
We are here to help you navigate this difficult journey and support you every step of the way. Remember, you are not alone, and with the right support, recovery is possible.
