If you suspect someone you love is struggling with an addiction, you want to do everything you have to help. However, trying to help someone who is currently struggling with substance abuse can be difficult, as support is often met with denial and rejection. Addiction is a disease, and the path to recovery is often a long and difficult one. Here are some ways you can help someone who is currently suffering from alcohol or substance addiction.
1. Don’t enable them
Watching your loved one suffer with an addiction can be incredibly difficult. It can be especially hard to watch your loved one struggle to function with daily activities. It is important, though, that you do not enable your loved one. If they are struggling to keep up with their daily responsibilities, it is important you do not pander to them, as it shields them from the reality of the situation.
2. Don’t guilt
When someone is struggling with an addiction, they will often have internalized severe feelings of shame and guilt. Many will also act incredibly defensive around their friends and family if they are met with criticism. Although it can be extremely easy for loved ones to be angry and upset at the person struggling with an addiction, it is important to try and not guilt or shame them, as this can further damage the mental health of the addicted person, and potentially destroy the relationship you have with them while they are suffering.
3. Stage an intervention
If your loved one is seriously struggling with an addiction- to the point where they cannot function throughout the day without- and refuse to seek help for this issue, it may be time to hold an intervention for them. Although the addicted person may still be unwilling to admit they have an issue, by staging an intervention, they will be able to see how much their addiction is affecting their loved ones. Here are some other steps, treatments and services that can give you more advice on how to help your loved one struggling with an addiction.
4.Seek professional help
Addiction can tear families apart. If your loved one is refusing to believe they have an issue, or has realised it is time to get help, it is time to seek professional advice. If the addiction is severe, your loved one should consider going to one of the many serenity addiction centres in the UK, so that they may begin the slow road to recovery.