Coming to the realization that a loved one might be struggling with a drug abuse problem can be devastating. Many people are unsure of what they can do or say to help their friend or family member overcome their addiction in a safe and healthy way. Luckily, drug abuse treatments are more effective than ever, and thousands are able to permanently overcome their addictions every year with the proper support.
Look Out for the Signs of Drug Abuse
If you believe that a loved one is abusing drugs, then you have most likely seen at least some unusual behavior. While everyone is slightly different, there are some common signs that you should keep an eye out for. Unusual mood swings, weight fluctuations, being secretive, lying, apathy, and failing to meet obligations are all common signs of drug abuse.
Approaching Them at the Right Time
Bringing up your concerns at the right time can make all the difference. As a general rule, you should never approach your loved one while they are under the influence. Instead, you should try to set aside at least an hour when they are sober to have a two-way conversation. Some people benefit from having multiple friends and family members approach them at once, but most feel cornered if there is more than one person there.
What to Say
When you bring the subject up, you must keep negative emotions out of it. Your primary goal should be to emphasize that you love and care for them. You should also bring a list of the behaviors you’ve observed just in case they are in denial. Asking questions is another way to put them at ease and make it feel like a conversation instead of a lecture.
Contacting a Legal Professional
Family members should immediately contact a defense attorney if their loved one is having trouble with the law. Of course, this only applies to those who are being charged and not just those who are disobeying the law. Because drug addicts often stop caring about their future, they might not even bother fighting any charges against them. They might have given up on themselves. Once those charges are on their record, it could haunt them for the rest of their life. Yet, they might not understand the severity of the situation before being sentenced. If you can must the emotional strength to be there for them, do it. Be their advocate and help them get the best legal representation that they can. If your relative hasn’t ever been charged before, you might be able to find a lawyer who could help sway the court’s decision by having your relative get addiction recovery help instead of jail time.
Finding Help
After speaking with your loved one, you then need to provide them with a tangible plan to overcome their addiction. Depending on their drug of choice and the severity of their addiction, they might require a combination of services such as supervised detox and inpatient care. Others can overcome their addictions with nothing more than intensive outpatient support.
The worst thing that a family member can do is to enable their loved one to continue abusing drugs. Speaking up isn’t always easy, but your support could be exactly what they need to finally turn their life around.
