This is a guest post by Hyrum Taffer.
Drug addiction is one of the hardest things for a person to deal with.
It consumes their life, along with that of every person around them.
Sometimes we can feel powerless when someone that we love is suffering from addiction. Often it seems that all that we can do is watch as their life disintegrates. Sometimes we are dragged into whether we want to be or not. However, it is never hopeless. There are things that we can do these people who are so important to us.
Understand
There is a lot of misinformation and stereotype surrounding drug addiction. It can come in a variety of different forms and affect people from all walks of life. One of the most important things as you try to help someone who is suffering is education.
Unless you have experienced it before, it will be hard for you to understand exactly what they are going through. However, you can try your best to educate yourself the best that you can. There are plenty of medical sites online that you can use as references. Talk to experts to see and see if you can get the best professional advice possible.
Intervention
There is a good chance that you have probably already heard of an “intervention.” If someone that you know is addicted to drugs, then there is also a good chance that they do not see the depths of the problem that they have. It is common for someone struggling with addiction not to realize just how much their problem is affecting those around them.
They may be thinking that it is their problem to deal with or, as is more common, that it is not a problem at all, that you are overreacting. For this reason, it is a good idea to enlist professional help for advice on how to deal with the intervention in the best way.
Be There
The last, and sometimes the only, thing that you can do is to be there. What someone with addiction issues is going through can be the hardest thing to face. All that you can do is be supportive of them, without enabling their addiction.
Show firmness but love and be aware of their needs as well as your own. Help them to look for rehab centers and get them on the long road to recovery.
The rest is up to them.
If you live in The Show Me State and you want to know where the best rehab centers in the state are, you can always use a Missouri rehab center finder to get the information you need.
About the Author: Hyrum Taffer is a freelance writer and expert in addiction and holistic drug rehab. Through both personal and family experience, Hyrum has seen the reality of drug addiction. With his experience and love for writing, he contributes to a number of communities to uplift those in need.
What do you think we can do to help someone who is suffering from drug abuse? Always love to hear your thoughts in comments. If you liked this post, please share on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. Thank you!
Years ago, a friend of mine was at the stage where he wouldn’t listen to anyone – and finally he had to go to a facility for nine months. When he returned home, the best thing we could do, as friends, was to “be there”. He went through some really tough times. My heart goes cold thinking of those days. He’s fine now. We all wanted him to be his awesome self so desperately.
Very nice post, Hyrum. Thanks, Cathy!
That is wonderful, Vidya that you were there for him. It is difficult to watch a friend suffer with this disease. I’m sure he appreciated your friendship during this tough time. Take care.
Hi Hyrum and Cathy,
This is such great information for the family member or friend who wants to be there for a loved one suffering through addiction and early recovery but doesn’t know how. Something else that the people I work with are finding extremely helpful is the use of a Recovery Coach, such as the service you’re providing, Cathy – not just a recovery coach for the addict/alcoholic but for the family member/friend. Thank you both for this important post. Take care.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks – that is another option that can be so helpful. Families do need to get support during this stressful time.
Years ago, my best friend got addicted to drugs. It was terrible. I didn’t know what to do. I did everything to try to control her behavior because I was so afraid I was going to lose her forever. Of course, I couldn’t make her stop. I remember the moment when I really understood that and walked away. Happily, she decided she wanted to live and got clean. Much wisdom and good advice in your post.
Hi Galen,
It is up to the individual and it is heartbreaking to watch as you describe. Family members become especially distressed because they don’t know from day to day if their family member will survive the disease. They are aware that a phone call can come at any time and they never know what the news will be. So glad to hear that your friend decided to get clean. Take care.
I think understanding is probably the most important aspect when trying to help a person overcome from drug and or alcohol addiction.
Hi Thomas,
Welcome! I so agree. We do need to understand the disease of addiction and know how to help in a positive way. Great point.Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Hope it helps
Just do it
If u want to quit action its repeteably coming to your mind, just quit it. Replace it with anything better you can do, eat, drink, run., sleep is a treasure to reach, myself had bad pulses, then i said „ run“ i run and i run 3 am 3 am i came back tired but mind wouldn’t let me sleep. It can only last few days, but we don’t talk about days, we talk about now. Now is where you have to be. Forget how long would it take, forget all, now you are. Let all that comes goes, you are just a perceiver, a watcher on the wall. Possibly it will bring anger, fury and more, try to say ok, or scream aaaaaaaaaaa if u have to cry, but know you are. Fight, you are the beast. Not your mind, not your thoughts. It is all a illusion of the mind, but mind can be, is, a psihopat, like try to say don’t think of rabbit, bam , but rather try to play videogames and screw rabbits. Screw illusions. If you do not think you are strong enough and resistance takes too much, you think you can’t afford to take, say ok.
Please, if you find something useful here contact me on givemeatrick@gmail.com I’m here to help. Thanks.