People with addictions are unable to break behavioral patterns. Some struggle with addictions to activities, such as sex addiction. Addicts may also be addicted to things, such as food.
Addiction is commonly associated with drug and alcohol abuse. More than one-third of all American adults struggled with illicit drug abuse in 2017, while over 12 percent of adults struggled with alcohol and drug abuse. Without intervention, addiction can lead to financial and domestic issues, such as domestic violence. You can use the tips outlined here to help someone you know who’s struggling with an addiction.
Educate yourself about addiction.
Addiction doesn’t have one single cause. Some individuals are genetically susceptible to addiction. Mental health issues also increase a person’s risk of developing an addiction.
Life circumstances can also lead to addictions. Some people use substances to cope with grief. Substance use is also a common way to cope with stress. While some individuals can control their substance use, others develop dependence.
To help a person with an addiction, you must understand their addiction isn’t a sign of weakness. A combination of genetic and lifestyle factors could prompt an addiction to alcohol, painkillers, or another substance. For example, a person injured in a car accident may need opioids to manage their injuries and develop a dependency.
Find the person with the addiction.
Millions of Americans are arrested for substance-related offenses each year, including driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs and possession. Internet research results explain how to see if someone is in jail. Use the inmate locator tool supplied by the Federal Bureau of Prisons to search inmate records. A person recently arrested may be in county jail. You can also access your state’s judiciary case search tool, enter the person’s first and last name, and search for their arrest records online.
Locate professional help.
Residential treatment centers throughout the United States offer customized programs designed to help people struggling with addictions. For example, people with a drug or alcohol dependency can attend a treatment program at The Hope House.
The Hope House employs licensed psychologists who create customized treatment plans for each client. You can access contact information from their website and learn about their admissions process. Whether you’re looking for a program for a family member or a friend, finding a suitable program is often the first step you can take to help them begin the recovery process.
The next step involves handling their personal matters while they’re in treatment. Care for their pets, water plants, and pay bills in their absence. You can also support a family member with addiction by participating in family therapy.
Identify and remove triggers.
Understanding the causes of addiction can help you identify triggers that could cause a person with an addiction to relapse. These triggers could include contact with other addicts, exposure to high-stress situations, access to substances, or conflict with friends or family members.
You can support the recovery process by educating other friends and family members about addiction. You can also use family therapy to help family members address behaviors they engage in that can trigger setbacks. Viewing a person’s recovery as a collaborative effort reduces the pressure placed on the person with the addiction.
Provide ongoing support.
Coping with addiction can be a life-long process. There’s no such thing as quick recovery, and people with addictions benefit from ongoing support. Search for a psychologist or substance abuse counselor in your area who can provide ongoing treatment. Look for positive, alternative therapeutic outlets to support their recovery. Suppose they enjoy singing or painting. You could locate a music or art therapy program they could join when they return home from rehab.
Educating yourself about addiction is an excellent place to start when you want to help someone who’s an addict. Look for suitable treatment options, such as residential treatment programs, where they’ll receive professional help. You should also provide ongoing support by removing triggers and locating local treatment options they can use when they return home from rehab.