Is someone you know struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol? As the loved one of an addict or substance abuser, being on the sidelines can be one of the most difficult things you’ll ever experience. Along with having to struggle through the pain of watching your loved one’s addiction wreck havoc on their physical and emotional stability, you’re also often the person who is directly impacted by the fact that your relationship is taking a backseat to their addiction. Sometimes it can seem impossible to navigate the fine line between helping and enabling.
As many spouses, relatives, and friends of addicts can attest to, it’s not uncommon to go out of your way to do something with the sole intent of helping your loved one, only to have it backfire and ultimately aid their dependency even further. While there are a thousand things you can try and do to help them fight their addiction, perhaps the most powerful and beneficial action you can take is talking to them about getting help and going to rehab.
Getting your loved one to sit down, to listen to you, and to actually hear what you have to say will undoubtedly be one of, if not the, most difficult discussions you’ll ever have. Keep in mind, too, that you’ll likely need to have this talk multiple times until they, themselves, are ready to seek professional help in overcoming their addiction. When you’re ready to have the talk about going to rehab, keep these helpful tips in mind.
1. It Is Their Decision
No matter how impassioned, forceful, kind, or convincing you may be during your discussion, remember that getting help is a decision only your loved one can make. You cannot make the decision for them—you can only strongly support them in their decision to go.
2. Ask Them About Their Ideas on Rehab
Perhaps one of the greatest ways to initiate the conversation of going to rehab is to ask your loved one’s opinion on it. Instead of half-listening to their answer with a premeditated response in mind, hear what they have to say about the topic. You might be surprised to find that they are open to the idea, but they have certain hesitations or aren’t ready at the moment but could see possibilities in the future.
3. Have Treatment Options in Mind
Before sitting down with your loved one, take time to do some research about the treatment options available in and around your area. You might be surprised to find an array of different options including:
- Residential treatment
- Outpatient treatment
- Day treatment
- Partial hospitalization
- Sober living communities
- Drug therapy
- Psychotherapy
- Cognitive or dialectical behavioral therapy
- Group, family, and couples therapy
- Adventure, art, or equine therapy
- Recreational and wilderness therapy
- Much more
Talking with your loved one may be easier if you can discuss various options instead of the general idea of rehab.
4. Talk Positively About Detox
If you talk with anyone who has been through the gauntlet of achieving sobriety, chances are they will say that detoxing and going through withdrawals was the worst, most challenging step in getting sober. It’s often this step, too, that scares addicts the most about going to rehab. When talking about getting help, be sure to talk about the options available for getting past the withdrawal phase. First, let them know they don’t have to go cold-turkey; not only can this be traumatic but in many cases, it can also be very dangerous. Combining medical detoxification with various holistic methods can be effective when it comes to making withdrawals bearable.
5. Reiterate Faith and Positivity
The feelings of anger, frustration, doubt, and resentment towards your loved one have likely reached new heights during their struggles with addiction. When it comes to talking to them about rehab, however, it’s imperative you put these emotions on the back burner and instead come from a place of love, faith, and positivity. Knowing you have faith in their ability to overcome addiction, remembering how much you love them, and being inspired by your positivity at the possibility of a drug-free future will only encourage them to get the help they need.
For more advice on ways, you can help your loved one get the addiction treatment they need or to learn about one of the top drug and alcohol rehabs in the state of Utah, visit Utah Trauma & Addiction Centers, today.