How To Help A Drug Addict?

A Drug addict is a person who has an uncontrollable need to take drugs as a central part of their life. They may use them for therapy, recreation, or other purposes, but these purposes seldom have anything to do with the purpose of the drug. For this reason, they find it difficult to resist taking more and more drugs despite negative consequences. Here are some tips on how to help a drug addict.

Educate Yourself About Addiction

The first step is to learn about addiction. Learn everything you can about the nature of addictive drugs and how they affect the body and mind. You have to understand how addictive substances work to understand what the drug addict is going through. This is extremely important for you because it will help you relate to the addict and better understand what they need.

Get Support

You will need the support of your extended family and your friends. Having others, you can talk to about how you are feeling will help. It’s also a good idea to have someone who can take over some of your responsibilities for a while so that you can focus on helping the addict. Some groups and counselors can be of service to you as well. Having them involved will also help because they will be able to provide additional support and information.

Establish Trust

You will need to establish trust with the addict to get them to open up and seek help. This may take a while, but when they see that you are there when they need you, it will help them trust you more. If they feel that their life is spinning out of control, they may be more likely to reach out, but it is still necessary to know that someone is there for them.

Be Compassionate

You will need to be compassionate toward the addict. Please don’t get angry at them for their addiction or for not telling them they are addicted. Remember, they may be scared and not know how to approach you about it. Just hearing that someone thinks they might be addicted can be enough to encourage them to take steps toward getting help. You can also show them that you care and that you will help in any way that you possibly can.

Take Care of Yourself

you must take care of yourself so that you can be there for the addict. Going to support groups and talking to others who are going through similar circumstances can help you deal with the stressors. You also need to make sure that you are eating right, getting enough sleep, and getting exercise. It’s also helpful to try relaxation exercises like yoga or meditation.

Set Limits

you must set limits with the addict. By this, I mean that you have to let them know that there are some behaviors that you will not tolerate. At the same time, you should let them know that they can come to you when they need support and that you will provide it for them.

Make a Plan

If the addict wants to change, then make a plan with them. This involves creating a course of action detailing the actions each of you will take. You may find it helpful to write down your thoughts and ideas. This will allow you to analyze your thoughts, but it will also help document the plan. Make sure they understand what you are trying to accomplish with the plan.

Understand Their Symptoms of Drug Abuse

There are many signs of drug abuse, so you must know what they are. Each drug may have different signs. Make sure that you take the time to look for signs of drug abuse. These are some of the things that you can look for:

  • Mood swings
  • Red or glassy eyes
  • Dilated pupils
  • Changes in eating habits
  • Neglect of personal hygiene

Identify Treatment Ways

Once the addict has reached out for help, it’s important to know what treatment options are available. This is extremely important because it will help you decide the best way to move forward. If the addict is a minor, they will be sent to a drug treatment center. Adults will have more options for getting help. For example, they can go to a rehabilitation clinic or attend an addiction counseling support group.

Conclusion

To help a drug addict, you will need to make a plan. You will also need to be compassionate and understand their addiction signs. In most cases, the addict will not want you to do anything for them. However, they will accept your help if you show them that you care and that your support is sincere. Communication is key in helping someone who has an addiction problem.

If you are a drug addict and want to get help, contact us at 833-820-2922. Our addiction specialists can help you get the help you need.