Helping Someone With Drug Addiction

Finding relevant support and help for somebody you know struggling with an addiction can be a challenge, especially if the person is in denial about their addiction. You may not know how you can approach them or what you can do to help them.

The good news is that there is a wide range of resources and services available for your loved one to get help. They are not alone in their struggles, and you are not alone when helping them. 

In today's blog, we will give you helpful advice and information on how you can get help for a drug addict, whether it be a friend, family member, or even a colleague.

We will also be exploring how the Rehubs online drug and alcohol rehab platform can help them recover from their addiction.

Why Take Action Early? 

First of all, intervening early can help to prevent the addiction from progressing into full-blown addiction. It can stop the problem from getting worse. If you encourage your loved one to open up and seek treatment earlier on, it can prevent the risk of: 

• The addiction becoming more severe
• Overdose
• Further addiction-related health issues 

The earlier you address the addiction, the higher the chance of successful treatment. Ultimately, catching addiction in the earlier stages can lead to better long-term outcomes. 

It can help to prevent the devastating effects of addiction, not only on themselves but their loved ones and families too. 

Our Top Tips to Help a Loved One With Drug Addict

Here are some of the best ways you can help your loved one and guide them to seeking treatment: 

1 – Understand the Signs of Drug Addiction

Watching your family member or friend battle with a drug addiction can be really difficult, but remember they are lucky to have you to support them through it.

It's important that you are aware of the signs that are associated with drug addiction so that you can help them and find them the relevant help.

Drug abuse is not always obvious and often, people will hide their drug use from family and friends.

Here are some signs to look out for that could suggest addiction:

• Changes in behaviour
• Neglect of responsibilities
• Decline in physical appearance
• Financial difficulties (for example, borrowing money to fund drugs)

Substance abuse can affect your mind as well as your body. Look out for shifts in mood - are they more agitated than usual? Are they experiencing mood swings? Or have they begun to experience mental health problems due to drug use?

A keen understanding of these signs is the first step in acknowledging that somebody you know needs help.

2 – Open Up About Your Concerns

If you’ve assessed the signs of drug addiction and believe your loved one may be struggling with substance abuse, you may wish to open up about your concerns.

However, approaching someone struggling with drug addiction can be difficult, they may be in denial. The key is to approach it in an understanding and compassionate tone it requires a lot of empathy.

Open a dialogue in a non-confrontational manner, expressing your concern for their well-being. It can be helpful to use “I” statements to avoid sounding accusatory – for example, “I’ve noticed changes in your behaviour that worry me.”

It is best that these conversations take place in private and one-to-one. To avoid them feeling overwhelmed.

Although this can be a difficult conversation to have, this is the first step in helping them to receive the relevant support that they need.

3 – Encourage Open Conversation

Now you’ve opened up about your concerns, it’s time to encourage open conversation. Gently encourage your loved one to share their thoughts and feelings. Often, when someone is dealing with addiction they may feel isolated or judged, making it challenging for them to open up.

If possible, explore the potential causes of the addiction as well as what triggers them to take drugs. This can help when it comes to preventing relapse. Remember you are not a trained professional or addictions specialist, so it is not down to you to stop your loved one from taking drugs.

You can be a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen to, but your loved one will need professional support to come to terms with their addiction and recover.

Emphasise that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Simply knowing that they have somebody there for them can make a huge difference.

4 – Set Boundaries

When helping someone who is battling substance use disorder, it’s crucial to set clear boundaries while providing support.

This protects your own well-being and helps them to understand the consequences of their actions.

For example, if you’re helping your partner, it can be helpful to set a boundary to not have drugs in the home. Some people think they’re helping by still allowing the use of drugs - but this isn’t the case.

Communicate your boundaries with empathy, while focusing on the impact of their behaviour on both themselves and those around them. Boundaries create a safe space for recovery while holding individuals accountable for their actions.

5 – Suggest Professional Support

It’s important to understand that you can not take this on all by yourself, even if you want to. In many cases, professional drug treatment and support are required. It can be helpful to research the different addiction treatment options available.

The UK National Health Service (NHS) offers a range of services and clinics dedicated to substance misuse and mental health. However, the NHS can have long waiting times, and may not be the best idea if you’re looking for immediate addiction support.

Some of the main drug addiction treatment options include detoxification/ detox, therapy, local inpatient and outpatient rehab programs, online therapy, and support groups.

Acknowledge that reaching out for help is a brave decision that contributes to their overall well-being.

Drug Detox

A way that most people recover from addiction is a drug detox. This can help to recover from the dependence on the drug, gradually withdrawing from the drugs.

This can be a physical and emotional challenge, as withdrawal symptoms can be really difficult to deal with, depending on the severity of the addiction and the body's response to stopping drugs.

If they have a severe dependence, medical detox or a medically supervised detox may be the best option. Alternatively, you could explore home detox options such as home detox kits.

Therapy

Detoxification alone does not address the entire addiction; it merely addresses the physical addiction. 

Usually, people who struggle with addictions, need therapy to address the deep-rooted problems and mental health conditions that could have caused the addiction in the first place.

Therapy will give your loved ones advice on how they can come and manage their feelings which can help to prevent relapse. Although therapy can have a high price tag, it’s certainly worth the expense. 

There is a range of therapies available such as:

• Group therapy and family therapy
• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• One-to-one counselling

You can learn more about the differences between therapy and counselling here. Therapy is key to long-term recovery. This can be completed during inpatient or outpatient rehab, as well as online rehab options.  Therapy has many benefits – it can teach them coping strategies, build their confidence, and empower them with resources and information about themselves and their addiction.

Studies show that addiction can impact relationships between family members. Family therapy can help to fix these broken relationships caused by addiction. 

Support Groups

Many people find support groups such as Narcotics Anonymous helpful when overcoming drug addiction. Recovery can be lonely, and support groups can give people the opportunity to connect with other people in recovery with similar challenges and goals.

Support groups can also be helpful for you. Helping somebody with addiction can be emotionally taxing, but support groups can take away some of the pressure. 

Many support groups are open to friends and family, so you could attend these groups together. This can also be a great way to show your loved one that you truly support them, which will build more trust and they will feel more comfortable confiding in you as it will give them a sense of security.

Rehubs Online Drug Rehab Program

Help them to get their life back with our online treatment program at Rehubs. We have years of experience helping people overcome their addictions and lead drug-free lives, so rest assured we can help your friend or family member too.

One size does not fit all when it comes to addiction recovery, which is why we will create a tailored treatment plan that addresses their needs and goals.

Our program is ideal for those who want convenience, discretion and flexibility. We combine evidence-based therapy with practical resources including a helpful mobile app to empower people to turn over a new leaf and beat drug addiction for good.

We offer a range of services tailored to meet the unique needs of each person on their recovery journey, from online counselling sessions to educational resources on substance misuse.