6 Tips for Helping Your Loved One Overcome Addiction

Drug addiction has become the scourge of society. What was once a problem that lurked in the darkness of alleyways and drug dens in the worst parts of town has now become commonplace in our homes, tearing apart families across all social and economic classes. As of 2018, approximately 1 in 7 adults in the United States meets the diagnostic criteria classifying them as a drug addict, with only 1 in 10 receiving treatment. The American family, once the cornerstone of society, is now being destroyed by addiction. What will it take to stop it? Sadly, there is no ready answer and currently no end in sight. The harsh reality is that drug addiction can strike anywhere, anytime, and when it does it leaves devastation and tragedy in its wake. By being prepared if addiction ensnares one of your loved ones, you can be a source of strength to the addict. It is important to remember that tough love and support are essential to an addict’s recovery. Educate yourself with these tips on helping a loved one to overcome addiction and you may save a life. 

1. Always Remember That The Person You Love Is Under The Addiction’s Control 
Your loved one is in the grip of something that is controlling their words, their actions, even their very thoughts. It will be extremely difficult and challenging to deal with them in the midst of their addiction, but don’t lose sight of the fact that your loved one is being controlled by the drugs. They need you, armed with a lot of tough love and support if they are to break free the drug’s crutches. 

2. Realize That You Cannot Do It Alone 
No matter how much you love the addict or how much the addict love you, you cannot single-handedly bring them out of their addiction. Your unwavering love and support will be essential to their successful recovery, but professional care and aftercare will absolutely necessary. 

3. Be A Rock, Not A Crutch 
It’s often very easy to think you’re helping the addict by providing them with money, paying their bills for them, or giving them a place to stay figuring that it’s better than them living on the streets, but these are actually enabling behaviors that allow the addict to avoid getting clean and becoming responsible for themselves. This is where the assistance of a professional will come in. They can advise you as to what is truly helpful to the addict and what is enabling. 

4. Set Boundaries And Maintain Them 
As time goes on you may see small improvements in your loved one that will lead you to believe they are getting better. This may be true; they may be on the right road. When this happens, you may be tempted to relax your position a bit, perhaps allowing them to move in with you or providing them with transportation to do something fun or to visit with friends. If the addict is truly making improvements, letting your guard down could easily enable them to fall right back into their addiction. Once your rules have been set and your boundaries established, you must stand your ground with no wavering whatsoever. 

5. Don’t Expect Fast Results And Don’t Give The Addict False Hope 
Overcoming addiction will take time. Recovery and Aftercare will take time. If success and healing are to come, it will require a great deal of patience and work. Honesty is essential. Telling the addict that they are doing better than they actually are is not encouraging or healthy. In fact, it can cause a great deal of harm when the person stops working as hard toward their recovery. 

6. You Must Take Care Of Yourself Before Anyone Else 
Many people see this as a selfish concept. They believe that they should put their addicted loved one first. The fact is if you do not put yourself and your needs first you are not going to be mentally, emotionally, or physically capable of helping your loved one. They need your strength and focus in order to battle their way through the darkness of addiction. If you grow weak, so will they. 

Studies have proven that the encouragement and support of a loved one has a profoundly beneficial impact on an addict as they work their way through recovery. It is not an easy process for anyone involved. Educating yourself as to how you can effectively help will increase their chances for recovery exponentially while helping you to know that you are doing all the right things.