If you love someone who struggles with drugs or alcohol, you may not be sure how to help them. Recognising the symptoms of addiction is only part of the solution. If you suspect that your loved one needs treatment, how do you go about getting them the help they need? Getting a better understanding of addiction makes it easier because that knowledge can help you break down the barriers that often prevent people from seeking help. Relationship Resolutions provides some guidance on how to help your struggling loved one.
Recognising Symptoms
Sometimes the signs of alcohol or drug abuse are obvious, but many people also become very good at masking them. If you’re worried that your loved one may have a problem, try to be aware of physical symptoms along with behavioural changes. Physical symptoms can vary depending on what substance the person is using. For example, opioids typically cause drowsiness, confusion, and poor coordination, while stimulants can cause agitation, high blood pressure, and an irregular heartbeat.
Someone who needs help for addiction will usually show behavioural signs as well. They may have changes in sleep patterns or extreme mood swings. Behavioural changes are among the key criteria for diagnosing alcoholism, especially when someone continues to use alcohol despite harmful effects on their obligations and relationships. If any of these signs apply to your loved one, especially if their behaviour is harming their health or if they commit any crime related to substance use, encourage them to get help right away.
One of the biggest clues comes from issues at work. Addiction Center explains that addicts are often caught in a vicious cycle of poverty, with job losses due to frequent absences, failure to perform their duties, and attitude problems – ultimately causing stress and triggering more frequent substance abuse.
Finding Motivation
Keeping a 9-to-5 can become nearly impossible for many who need rehab. Between the stigma of addiction and lost income, the hurdle often feels insurmountable. Oftentimes the best solution is to engage in part-time employment until the addict is ready to reenter the workforce full-time. There are plenty of options available that offer flexibility and are even therapeutic in some regards, like baking and pet care. And if they find this new endeavour fulfilling or especially helpful, encourage them to start their own business. If your loved one is struggling to make ends meet and get necessary help, look for unconventional solutions.
It’s important for your loved one to have a calm, stress-free place to relax. It’s possible that their living space contains bad energy connected to their addiction. Help them to release that energy by decluttering and increasing the amount of natural lighting in their home. You can also help them to bring in plants, as nature has positive effects on our mental health.
Understanding Addiction as a Disease
Even though addiction is in the news more frequently these days, many people still misunderstand it. According to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, addiction is a disease that changes how a person’s brain and body function. Substances like alcohol and drugs elevate the chemicals in your brain that are associated with feeling good. Over time, these chemicals actually change the person’s brain resulting in cravings and dependence. This is why willpower alone is not enough to manage this disease.
Despite this fact, there is still a stigma associated with addiction. Many times, even the person who is addicted will subject themselves to criticism and feeling like a failure. According to The Alcohol and Drug Foundation, stigma stands in the way of many addicts seeking treatment. One way you can support your loved one is to help them understand that addiction is a disease, not a moral failure. Many people who are experiencing addiction also feel hopeless because of these changes in their brain, which make them feel like it’s impossible to quit. Reassure your loved one that effective treatment is possible and that you will help them through this process.
Understanding How Addiction Affects Everyone Involved
If you’re worried that someone you care about needs help, you already know that addiction impacts more than just the addict. Everyone that the addict interacts with routinely – family, friends, coworkers – is affected by the disease.
The difference is that you can step away from the suffering and help your loved one get treatment. You can’t get better for them, but your support will go a long way toward showing them hope. Keep in mind that addiction is a chronic condition, so the person you care about will need your continued support long term, even after getting sober.
If you recognise the signs and symptoms of addiction in someone you care about, you may feel just as hopeless as they do. Addiction is scary, and it’s a disease that doesn’t have a quick fix. It may not be easy, but treatment can give your loved one their life back, and you have the power to be the support person who helps along the way.
Addiction strains all relationships and it can be difficult to overcome. However, if you and your partner are struggling with the effects of addiction, Relationship Resolutions can help. Visit us online to learn more and schedule a session.
Photo credit: Pexels
