There may come a time in your life where you witness a friend, family member, or loved one head towards addiction. This could be towards alcohol, drugs, or other illicit substances.
As an outsider, you will be more conscious of the process and will be able to notice signs earlier. In such a situation, addressing the addiction and getting them the help require becomes impertinent for both you and them.
However, it is easier said than done because something as sensitive as this isn’t a cakewalk. Approaching this problem can be scary and hard to navigate.
That’s why, in this article, we’re listing down the basic steps through which you can help someone battle and overcome addiction.
Table of Contents
First things first, you need to identify the signs of addiction that they are exhibiting. Correctly identifying the symptoms is the first step towards evaluating how this should be treated and approached. Common signs of addiction include significant changes in health and habits, including food consumption and sleep times, and frequent fluctuation in moods. Especially if they have been deprive of the substance for a while or haven’t been able to consume it as much as they wanted to. Severe depletion of financial resources is another tell-tale sign. A loss of interest in hobbies, career, and social relationships is another sign to look out for.
If you’ve been able to gauge and identify the signs, it means other people in close vicinity of the victim have been able to as well. So the next step is to speak to people that you and the person concerned are close with and explain to them your observations. Do not go around telling anybody and everybody. Instead, speak only to the closest people- those who are close enough to have noticed signs of addiction, and speak to them about the situation at hand. Doing so will not only help you approach the victim but will also ensure that you have people to rely on when the going gets tough.
The third step is one of the hardest and something that can take a lot of time. Addressing the addiction with the person concerned and bringing the problems to the table can be hard, as the addict is most likely to refuse and stay in denial. The denial can be even more when the substance is something that is comparatively more socially acceptable to consume, such as alcohol. During this process, make sure to remain calm and speak as gently and factually as possible. Let the other party know the consequences of their addiction and how it is harming both them as well as their loved ones. Destigmatize the idea of getting help and convey how the appropriate treatment will make their life better.
Once you have been able to address the problem, the next step is to get the right help and contact people or institutions who will be able to assist, primarily rehabilitation centers. Nowadays, as this Best Addiction Treatment Centers Orange County proves, rehabilitation centers are now areas of wellness and personal development. Other than helping people get past addiction, they also focus heavily on improving health, both physical and mental, enriching interest in hobbies, and re-developing social relationships. New-age centers even provide custom treatment plans that are tailored specifically for every person. When choosing a treatment centers that is in a good location – one that is close enough for timely visits and offers the resources that are required.
The final step is to go through the journey of recovery with the person by providing them the support they require and helping them get the resources they require. One thing to remember here is that this step may involve going back to earlier steps, as relapses are common (and nothing to be ashamed of), and the road to recovery is a long one. During this time, make sure that you have people to rely on and depend on as well, as this can be a difficult journey. It can be hard to witness your family, friends, or partner struggle with a problem like addiction, so remember to look after yourself as well.
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