Helping My Best Friend Overcome Addiction
If you’re worried that your best friend may have an addiction, you may wonder how you can help. First of all, you should avoid making assumptions about their addiction or rescuing them financially. You also shouldn’t make excuses for their bad behavior. Finally, you should avoid making any bribes or promises to change their behavior.
Don’t rescue an addict
When it comes to rescuing your loved one from addiction, the best approach is not to try to change the addicted person, but rather, to help them change on their own. While the addict may not be ready to change until they are coerced, it is important to remain calm and let them make their own decisions. They will be tempted to argue with you, but you should try to be empathetic. You can offer your opinions, but remember to avoid arguments and statements that will only make things worse. For more information about an inpatient drug rehab for subtance abuse, contact Couples Rehab’s helpline to discuss treatment options.
Another thing that is best to keep in mind is that an addict is not able to understand what you are saying. They are often too busy with their own life to hear your words. It is essential to be realistic and to make sure that they know what you expect of them. If possible, offer to help them find a treatment program. Addicts do not keep promises when they are in the throes of their disease, so do not let yourself be taken advantage of.
Don’t financially support an addict
Addicts are very difficult to live with, and if you are a family member or friend of an addict, you may feel the need to help them. While it can feel good to help, it is important to understand that this type of help is enabling and can only prolong the addict’s life. The most obvious example of enabling is when you give money or groceries to an addict who needs it in order to survive.
Addiction is a debilitating disease that drains family resources and can even put you in danger. Providing money or material support to a person suffering from addiction may actually perpetuate the problem. The best way to help is to educate yourself on the disease, and to avoid allowing it to affect your family or loved one.
Addiction victims often have distorted perceptions of reality. This makes it difficult to convince them that they can be successful without using substances. Addicts do not perceive their actions as betrayal, but as a means of survival. When they have no other choice, they will change, but you cannot force them.
Lastly, you must remember that an addict does not understand what youre saying. They are not comprehending your concern the way you hope, and it will prove fruitless. Instead, you should express your expectations and help them seek treatment. Aside from not helping an addict, you should also avoid being angry or pity-filled. Instead, offer them the help they need to end their addiction for good.
Don’t make excuses for their behavior
If your best friend is an addict, don’t make excuses for their behavior. Addicts are known for saying hurtful things, stealing things, and even physically hurting others. These behaviors aren’t about what you think or what you believe, but instead, what they are doing to themselves.
While you may not see the damage that these people are doing, your friend is risking the lives of his or her family and friends. The addict will be tempted to continue using substances to avoid treatment. It is also unlikely that your friend will want to change and go through treatment, especially if they are surrounded by friends and family that do not set limits and who placate their addiction.
Don’t bribe an addict
Bribing an addict with a car, new clothes, or a nice dinner can be a short-term solution to the problem of addiction. While this strategy may bring a glimpse of hope, it will not work in the long-term. Even if the addict shows up at dinner or church, these results are fleeting and won’t last long unless they are accompanied by proper treatment.
Paying them, will only lead to them using. Stick to the line you have drawn and be aware that they will continually try and cross it. The addict may even begin manipulating people financially who may not even realize that they’re using drugs or alcohol. It happens when loved ones set limitations. When you’re helping someone with an addiction, you need to help them to accept responsibility for their behavior while assuring them that you’re there for them as well. Avoid emotional appeals, as these can increase the person’s feelings of compulsion and guilt, just set your boundaries and let them know you love them – but, not to death.
Don’t threaten an addict
Trying to stop an addict from abusing drugs is a difficult task, especially if you have a loved one who is addicted to substances. However, if you are willing to put yourself in the situation of a person in recovery, you may be able to keep your loved one safe. You can start by making household rules and boundaries. In some cases, you may even have to ask a loved one to leave your home. If this is the case, make sure that you have a plan to deal with the situation. You can involve family and friends to help you out.
One of the worst things you can do is talk to an addict with aggression and finalities. This will only reinforce their feelings of guilt and again may amp their compulsion to use. But be careful when you engage with an addict, they are always manipulating. Always. This involve lying to every one they know – including those closest, even their very best friend. You can not take it personal, or God forbid, attempt to make a connection by covering for them, feeding them or financially supporting them. Those are your missteps. By understanding that this is the problem, you can stop the behavior.
Don’t punish an addict
It can be difficult to know what to say and do when you’re dealing with an addict’s addiction. Knowing that your loved one is trapped in the addiction is unbearable. But it is important to realize that the problem is not your fault. There are some things you can do, even if you don’t agree with what they are doing.
First of all, try to avoid interfering in their lives. Even if you do not use drugs yourself, you might not want to interfere with their life. You may even think that your relationship with your friend won’t suffer because of their drug use. However, this seldom is the case.
Another mistake people make is forcing the addict to choose between a lesser evil. For example, they may argue that getting high at home is better than getting high on the streets. But if they’re forced to choose, they may not change until they’re forced to. And, if you do this, you may end up encouraging the addict’s drug use and prolonging the disease.
Besides, an addict usually can’t hear what you’re saying. Instead, you should offer your support and help to find a treatment program. But avoid anger and pity. It’s impossible to hold an addict to their commitments while they’re suffering from the disease.
