The Importance of Seeking Support While a Loved One Is in Rehab
When someone close to you is struggling with a drug or alcohol problem, your instinct is to try to do something to help, but because drug and alcohol use can be such a complex problem, and each situation is very unique, you may have trouble figuring out how best to help (and not hurt) the situation. Depending on the severity of the addiction and their financial situation, one of the most effective ways to help might be to identify affordable drug treatment centers in the area that could offer support, programs, and other resources for your loved one. Keep in mind, however, that there are many steps to take before you can explore this with your loved one. Here are some tips for navigating this complicated and emotionally charged issue:
- Assess the Severity of the Situation . Before you can offer help to your loved one, you may want to take a step back and try to access how serious the drug or alcohol problem is so that you are sure that your offers to help match the need. The biggest question to pose is generally: Does the drug/alcohol problem interfere with day-to-day activities on a regular basis? You may want to closely monitor their behavior for a period of time and share your concerns with other family members or friends.
- Early Intervention Can Be Very Effective. The longer a drug or alcohol problem persists, the more it infiltrates the person’s life, and the life of other friends and family members. If you can talk openly with your loved one as soon as possible, there is a higher chance that they will be able to hear you and get help. You do not need to wait until they hit “rock bottom” to intervene in some way.
- How to Bring It Up? This can be one of the most difficult conversations of your life, but one of the most important. Here are some ideas for raising the issue with your loved one:
- Do not initiate the conversation when you or your loved one have been using drugs or alcohol.
- Schedule a time to talk when you have privacy and more than a few minutes to talk.
- Make sure to convey that you are bringing this up because you care, and use neutral and non-judgmental language during the conversation. Try to ask open ended questions so that the conversation is not one-sided.
- List the specific behaviors that you have seen.
- If the first conversation does not go well, do not be discouraged. Your loved one may need some time to process your message. Try to schedule a time to follow up.
- Keep safety in mind. If you do not feel safe having the discussion, set limits for yourself so that you do not put yourself at risk.
- Find Help. Once your loved one is ready to accept help, you will want to be able to offer resources immediately so that the opportunity is not lost.
- Don’t Discount Your Own Need for Support. If you determine that your loved one is in need of rehab, it’s important to also think about how their addiction will affect you and your family members. It’s important to seek support for you and your other family members when a loved one is battling with addiction.
Yellowstone Recovery: Compassionate, Affordable, and Effective Treatment
Yellowstone Recovery offers one of the most effective and affordable alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs in California. Our team has been working in this area for more than 17 years and has provided comprehensive alcohol and drug rehabilitation services to over 5,000 men and women to date. Aside from high quality drug rehab services, we also offer a whole host of family support groups to help heal not only the addict, but the family as well. If you would like more information about our program or would like to speak to a member of our team, call us today at 1-888-897-1455.
