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Helping a loved one struggling with a substance use disorder can be both a challenging and heartbreaking journey. It can also be a fulfilling journey filled with purpose and meaning that all parties can gain. Though seeking help for your loved one can be intimidating, you should remember avoiding the issue as if nothing is wrong is far worse than attempting to get them help.
If you have been worried about seeking help for a loved one, then it is time to consider what you need to prepare, what you can expect to encounter, and what role you can play in helping along the way. It is never easy to watch a loved one struggle. Here are some ways to help to attain the confidence and motivation needed to help your loved one.
Research Addiction and Recovery
Seeing someone struggle with addiction and struggling yourself are two different things. The first thing to understand is that addiction is a disease and that the person you see behaving under the influence of their addiction is not the person they truly are. Addiction is a disease that is not different than any other, including autoimmune diseases, therefore much like other diseases, it takes a proactive approach and persistence to manage.
Addiction is complex, and it is okay if you do not know everything all at once. Taking the time to understand should be where your focus goes. Researching and learning more about addiction is not only beneficial for your loved one but you as well. It can help you become aware of the warning signs associated with addiction.
At START UP RECOVERY, we meet everybody where they're at, and our goal is to spread awareness of addiction far beyond the recovery community's reach. Therefore, our staff is always willing to help someone outside looking to understand addiction as a disease better.
Remain Supportive
Trying to encourage a loved one to get help when they are not ready can be a very delicate conversation to have. However, it is essential to remember that you want to help this person because you love and support them. Therefore, if you approach the subject and your loved one reacts negatively, understand that they might say hurtful things out of defense and remember that this is not them talking. Let them know that you are here to help when they are ready. Remain patient and try not to take things personally. Sometimes when you give them the option to get help, it is enough to encourage a conversation about it. Being there to listen when they're ready can significantly aid their motivation to pursue getting help.
When they understand that they have your support and you have reached a comfortable place to have a conversation, you can express your concerns and encourage them to get help. You might be met with reasons why they cannot get help; however, it is okay to be persistent about how important it is to get help. Try to be non-confrontational or personal in your efforts. You do not want to use shame or guilt as a tactic to get them to seek help.
You could also seek professional help to hold a moderated intervention. Having a moderator helps keep emotions from running high by directing the conversation toward safe places. Having a third party also helps your loved one see things from the outside perspective, and sometimes this may be why they finally conclude they need help.
Support the Recovery Process
A big proponent of lasting recovery is your loved one having a support system to rely on for help and accountability. Now that you have been proactive in finding your loved one help, you are also vital to helping them sustain recovery. Your role includes remaining supportive and helping to empower them to take their life by the reigns.
Enabling them by giving them money or providing them a place to live is counterproductive, so remember not to solve their problems yourself. Instead, support them as they try to overcome their challenges themselves. When you act to support and motivate consistently, you create boundaries within the relationship to develop trust, understanding, respect, and an overall stronger bond. Learning how to help a loved one in need will help you learn about them and their capabilities and your own, which can be one of the most rewarding experiences you will ever share with your loved one.
Take Care of Yourself
It can be effortless to put all your time and energy into trying to help a loved one because you love them but remember to take care of yourself, too. Neglecting your mental and physical needs can, in turn, make you bitter or resentful toward the person you are helping. Don't worry; it is not selfish to take a few days for yourself or parts of your day for yourself. These are times to work on activities that bring you joy, meditate, or fix yourself a hot bath. Whatever your form of self-care is, make sure you continue doing it. Ensure that you are also maintaining your other needs such as sleep, nutrition, and exercise. Don't be afraid to seek professional help, such as a therapist or counselor, to help you with your needs.
START UP RECOVERY aims to improve the quality of life for anyone struggling with or affected by drug use and other mental health disorders. We believe in approaches that promote healthy ways to pursue a life of recovery, including helping people build and sustain a strong support network so that each has multiple options to call upon when they feel stuck. We also provide a safe and judge-free space where people may come to focus on their inner strengths and build upon them. With a beachside location located in sunny Santa Monica, there is never a shortage of inspiration and good energy. If you or a loved one, or both, require getting back the momentum in your life to achieve both personal and professional goals, then START UP RECOVERY is the place for you. Remember, it all begins with taking that first step. To learn more, reach out to us today at (310) 773-3809.