The sight of a loved one struggling with addiction can be gut-wrenching. For starters, you can see their life wasting away before your eyes. They’re in pain, and they may not even realize it. Plus, you must deal with the guilt and shame of being related to someone with an addiction.
Los Angeles drug rehab programs offer a great stepping stone for addicts in recovery. But they need to be ready to commit to the program. Let’s assume your loved one is all in – they’ve come to terms with their reality and are putting in the effort to get help. Now, how can you support them? Here are ways you can do so:
1. Be There for Them
Have you battled an ailment or a situation in life and didn’t have someone to support you? How did it go? Surely not as well as you would have liked.
We can say the same for someone in addiction recovery. Sure, they’ll get a lot of help at a drug rehab center. But they’ll still need emotional and social support. So, be there for them as much as you can.
You don’t have to enable their addiction or be their best friend. Your presence alone could mean everything to them. As such, offering a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen can make a difference. Perhaps, you can also be their source of strength when they feel like they’re about to relapse. To this end, here are some tips to assist them:
- Avoid being accusatory or judgmental.
- Don’t be afraid to show your emotions.
- Reassure them of your support.
- Encourage them to communicate openly with you.
- Keep communication lines open at all times.
2. Offer Practical Assistance
Anyone recovering from addiction will have a lot on their plate. For instance, they may need to deal with work, school, or other responsibilities. Besides, they have to go to therapy sessions and meetings regularly. As a result, it’s human to feel overwhelmed at times.
You can assist them by taking on some of their responsibilities, such as cooking, cleaning, or grocery shopping. It also wouldn’t hurt to help them with transportation to and from some of their appointments. And if they’re struggling to stay sober, you can offer to go to AA meetings with them.
But avoid the temptation to do everything for them. This will only make them feel incompetent and might hinder their progress. Instead, allow them to do things for themselves. Doing so will help boost their confidence and give them a sense of accomplishment.
3. Help Them Avoid Temptation
Addiction is often described as a disease because it changes the brain. More specifically, it alters the way it perceives pleasure. Once someone is addicted to a substance, they’ll keep using it even if it destroys their life. That’s why addiction is so difficult to overcome.
As such, be proactive in helping your loved one avoid temptation. It may imply keeping them away from people, places, and things that trigger their addiction.
To this end, you could also help them build a support system of sober friends. These people have gone through the same issue and understand your loved one’s tribulations. Such individuals can also provide the social support your loved one needs. Besides, by showing your loved one that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, the support network can give them hope.
4. Educate Yourself About Addiction
To help your loved one, you need to learn about the issue they’re facing. After all, how can you claim to support someone with a problem if you can make heads or tails of it?
Thus, by being informed, you can better understand the problems your loved one is dealing with daily. In addition, you can also dispel myths about addiction that could cloud your judgment.
Luckily, you can find plenty of information on the subject online. You may also read books about addiction and recovery, talk to professionals, or join a support group for family and friends of addicts. Similarly, such support groups can help you access more information and education on the subject.
When all is said and done, your loved one is the only one who can overcome their addiction. Thus, the onus is upon them to seek professional help, go to therapy, and attend meetings. However, you can still play an active role in their life by offering your support. The tips we’ve pointed out can help you do just that.