Drug addiction is real. In 2012, drug overdose was the number one cause of injury death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug abuse counted for more deaths than motor vehicle crashes among people ages 25 to 64 that same year. This is the bad news.

The good news is, there is help available and you’re not alone!

It is easy to feel helpless when a loved one is struggling with addiction. In some ways, you are helpless. Despite your best efforts, living sober is the decision of the user, not you. However, you’re not alone. There are support groups, professionals, and family members who are ready to walk beside you and your loved one.

Support

If you are the loved one of someone fighting addiction, here are a few recommendations from our professionals at Turning Point.

– Seek Help – This is a necessary step, both for you and for the user. Even if the problem starts off small, professionals will equip you with tools that will help set you up for success. It’s important to know how to show your support while maintaining healthy boundaries.

– Learn – Knowledge is power. Educating yourself about drug abuse and addiction will help. The National Institute on Drug Abuse or Drug Free World are good starting points for more information on Heroin addiction, detox, and other drug facts.

– Express Love – Voicing and showing your support for a loved one is important for both you and the user. Express your concern, but do it appropriately. Know that sometimes, even with your love and support, an addict won’t be receptive. That’s okay. Finding a community who understands this push and pull will prove beneficial both to you and the user.Don’t wait. Even if the drug abuse seems relatively under control, there’s no telling what’s to come. Seek help sooner, rather than later. Addiction is often the symptom of a deeper, masked pain. The sooner this undercurrent of pain is realized and understood, the better off the addict will be. Early intervention is helpful to a successful recovery.

– Don’t Wait – Even if the drug abuse seems relatively under control, there’s no telling what’s to come. Seek help sooner, rather than later. Addiction is often the symptom of a deeper, masked pain. The sooner this undercurrent of pain is realized and understood, the better off the addict will be. Early intervention is helpful to a successful recovery.

Things not to do when a loved one is going through addiction:

– Don’t preach –. The drug addict will not be in the right state of mind to receive judgments, criticisms, or lessons. Voiced judgment will often result in a greater distance or void placed between you and the user.

– Don’t argue or “reason” with the user while they’re high. It’s simply the wrong time.

– Don’t make excuses – Enabling is not conducive to recovery. The longer you are in denial, the more likely the addict will be in denial. Recognizing there is a problem is the first step to recovery. Making excuses for the individual does not equate with healing.

– Don’t try using drugs, yourself – .Develop healthy boundaries and keep them. While misery may enjoy company, it will not facilitate growth and recovery.

Support Makes a Difference

Family support in the midst of addiction does make a difference. However, know that it is just as important that you seek help as it is for the user to seek help. Being in this positions requires support and encouragement. It’s going to be hard. But that’s okay, you can do hard things.

Turning Point Recovery Center is here to help. Contact us today to speak with our highly trained and skilled team, and find out how we can help your loved one begin their road to recovery. If you think an intervention is the push your loved one needs to get sober, download our Intervention Checklist. It will help you plan the right intervention.

~ Paul