Addiction is not something that can be easily fixed. An addiction to any type of substance can be a habit that’s hard to break because whatever substance it may be has allowed the body to become reliant on it. If you know someone who has an addiction and you want to help, then here’s how to help an addict overcome addiction, regardless of the substance they’re using.
The Addict Needs To Acknowledge The Addiction
Firstly, just because someone is addicted to something, doesn’t mean they’re aware or have acknowledged the fact that they’re addicted. They may not agree with you that they have a problem, even though if they were looking at themselves from an outside point of view, they probably would. That’s the danger that these addictions can cause, it can convince you that you’ve got control of the situation and that actually, you’re not addicted, even if others say you are.
So the first step to helping an addict is to help them acknowledge they have it.
They’ll Want To Need The Help Offered
Even though they may acknowledge an addict, they may not want the help. It could be that mentally, they’re in a bad place and that drug is the only thing that’s providing them with an escape or comfort. It’s hard to help someone who doesn’t want to be helped and so it can then be difficult to stand by and watch them damage themselves further. This process requires a lot of patience and persistence when helping a loved one.
Expect Challenges With An Addiction
There are going to be challenges with an addiction and step backs in the journey. Once you’ve got their acknowledgment and they’ve asked for help, that’s the easy part done. The next stages are going to be more difficult as there may be a lot of mental and physical withdrawals that they have with the substance. There’s no fast way to the finish line and it takes great willpower and determination to help overcome it.
It may also take a change in lifestyle and a change in the friendships or relationships that this person has with others who may influence that substance abuse in an negative way.
Establish Trust, Communicate & Support
As someone who may be helping from the sidelines, it’s important to establish trust, to communicate and to provide the support where it’s needed. The person in question will need to be able to trust those around them that their intentions are good and that they’re going to help them when it comes to their low moments in the withdrawal process and the process as a whole. They’re going to feel vulnerable, embarrassed and helpless at times, so it’s essential to establish trust and to offer that support when needed
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