7 Ways to Get Help with Addiction

AAdditionDo you need help with your child’s substance use?

Are you struggling as you search for answers?

When you love someone who suffers from the disease of addiction you await the phone call. There will be a phone call. The sincere hope is that the call will be from the addict themselves, telling you they’ve had enough, that they’re ready to stop, ready to try something new. Of course though, you fear the other call, the sad nocturnal chime from a friend or relative telling you it’s too late, she’s gone. ~ by Russell Brand 

With the recent pandemic and the ever-increasing number of overdose deaths, much of it caused by fentanyl; it’s high time addiction got the attention that it needs.

I wish it were as simple as having your teens realize where substance use can lead. I want teenagers to understand the potential slippery slope of alcohol and drug use.

Prevention is the key to helping your son or daughter live a life not driven by their drug or alcohol use.

However, once substance use has turned into an addiction, the process is complicated. There are no guarantees.  If you have a loved one with an addiction problem, you know that they aren’t the only ones suffering. In a family struggling with addiction, every family member is affected in some way.

Many people are now leading productive and creative lives after overcoming addiction. Some are giving back and work in the recovery field. Others give back by pursuing their dreams and their passions.

Yet, the experience of having a drug or alcohol problem has brought many to their knees.

Their lives and the lives of other family members will never be the same, but there is hope.

Here are some ways to get help for your family:

1. Find help through a professional

Seek a professional who specializes in addiction. It could be for your child or you. Make regular appointments to see them. Depending on how severe, addiction treatment could take several months to more than a year. The counselor will help you discover the root cause of your child’s addiction and what role addiction plays in your life.

Your child can learn ways o reduce or end their dependence on their drug of choice.  Your child will learn new tools that will help prevent a relapse. It can be helpful to have the objective opinion of someone who is not emotionally invested in your child. The more help you seek, the better off you all will be.

2. See medical help

Your child may need detox or a medical intervention if they are in the midst of their addiction. Detox can be required with prescription drugs or alcohol.

It may be hazardous to stop using some prescription drugs or alcohol abruptly. By having the support of a supervised withdrawal, you ensure a safe detox. Your child’s recovery process does not have to be a solo effort. Your child may be more willing to consider weaning off their drug of choice if they have medications to help with the craving and physical effects of the detox.

3. Treatment works

Your efforts are often to get your child to a treatment center. We know that treatment does work, and it’s important to remember that one size doesn’t fit all. Medical and mental health professionals are on staff to assist with your child’s recovery.

The longer your child stays in a treatment program, the better his chances for long-term recovery. Depending on the severity of the addiction, aftercare is recommended.

Some families have limited or no financial resources to pay for a treatment program. Therefore, they find they are met with nothing but roadblocks which is frustrating. Consider out-patient options, county services, or ask for scholarships. With all the issues around substance use, it would help so many if treatment was more accessible for all.

One of the many benefits of a treatment center is that your child is in a new environment.  A person focuses on recovery and is not sidetracked by outside influences.

‘If it wasn’t for that rehab center, I probably wouldn’t have been here. In terms of recovery, it has been very important for me to be a part of a recovery community, to actively be around my people because they understand me. They get it.” – Macklemore

4. Give group meetings a try

While they are not for everyone, it can be beneficial to attend a group meeting to find support from others. You can find trustworthy support groups. They are available for almost every addiction and are free to join.

There are 12-step groups and evidence-based groups: the more information you can have, the better. You will be able to hear other’s stories of their addiction and recovery, and you will be able to share your own.

Going to group meetings allows you to learn from other’s experiences. You will gain valuable tools to help with your long-term recovery. Some groups to consider are Al-Anon and SMART Recovery for Family and Friends. Some meetings may resonate with you, while others may not, so know there are options.

It can help to hear other’s stories. Being on the same path with others will help family members let go of their shame.

Your child could attend groups such as AA, SMART Recovery, RecoveryRefuge, SheRecovers, and LifeRing.

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5. Learn the CRAFT communication tools.

CRAFT stands for Community Reinforcement and Family Training. One of the missing pieces from some group meetings is teaching family members how to best engage with their struggling loved ones. While CRAFT does have strategies for setting boundaries and allowing for natural consequences, the missing piece in some of the more traditional group meetings is learning positive communication strategies. That is where CRAFT can be beneficial.

You want to encourage your child’s healthy behavior while discouraging substance use. CRAFT offers a more compassionate way to approach the problem. You can learn more about CRAFT here. 

6 Encourage family members to get support

Addiction is hard on everyone. Do encourage your other children and your spouse to get help as well. Additionally, the family unit will be better positioned to offer positive support when each person educates and takes care of themselves. You will learn tools to help deal with the effects of addiction on the family.

It can help to read books, watch videos, talk to a professional or attend group meetings. There will be less resentment from all involved if everyone is working on themselves. As the saying goes, “Addiction is a family disease.”

7. Consider meditation

Russell Brand is an example of a role model who has overcome addiction. He has said that he owes a lot of it due to Transcendental Meditation. Meditation, in general, is a great tool to overcome addictive behaviors. It can help anyone to connect with their inner selves and find some quiet moments each day to allow the mind to rest.

Meditation not only has health benefits for your child but also allows you to regain your composure and restore your emotional balance. Life’s ups and downs may push you to your limits, and you may find yourself emotionally exhausted.

Russell Brand states, “Now I do 20 minutes of Transcendental Meditation twice a day. It gives you a beautiful serenity. A selfless connection. A relaxed sense of oneness. It’s a cornerstone of recovery because it changes consciousness. It’s a shower for the brain. It teaches you that you are not your thoughts, not your feelings; you can simply witness them. It gives you a quiet space, a place of relief where peace and serenity are not contingent on the behavior of others.”

“I realized that I only had two choices: I was either going to die or I was going to live, and which one did I want to do? And then I said those words, ‘I’ll get help,’ or, ‘I need help. I’ll get help.’ And my life turned around. Ridiculous for a human being to take 16 years to say, ‘I need help.’” – Sir Elton John

It’s never too late to get help. Hopefully, more parents will be aware of substance use in their children and seek help. Families can grow to understand that living with a young person struggling with substances does not have to be a death sentence; help is available and plentiful.

What helped your family deal with your child’s addiction?

Thank you for reading. I know you have many options on content. Don’t forget to sign up for my Sunday newsletter filled with information and inspiration. Subscribers will have access to my free training with tools to help you support your child.

And consider getting access to my online course, Regain Your Hope, an online course that gives you an action plan to help your child change. Know that your child can change Love, Cathy