Seeing a close person trapped in addiction is heartbreaking and overwhelming at the same time. You wish to help but are unsure of how to go about it. At times, you have different ideas on how to approach them and guide them to the right path. The other question that crosses the mind is whether it’s the right time. Fortunately, it’s never too late to do good; this is no different when helping a friend regain sobriety. Here are some key aspects to consider when offering a helping hand.
Time When They’re Sober
It’s tempting to start talking about alcohol or drug addiction when the friend is staggering and not acting right. However, resist that urge as it may make matters even worse since, at that point, they will not understand anything. What you need to do is wait until after the hangovers.
This way, you’ll be able to make them see reason in everything you tell them. Sometimes, you may even better plan for the talk. When the conversation time comes, it’s good to be friendly.
After all, remember that a good talk needs to be two-way traffic. Allow them to speak their feelings and perception. From there, you now correct them on their mindset. Make them feel understood and loved in the tone. This makes them feel more open up, which can be helpful.
Give Practical Solutions
Any addiction starts from somewhere. It could be keeping the wrong company, stress, curiosity, name it all. If you want to help, take time to look at what caused the drug dependency in the first place. This information makes it easy to offer practical solutions to the problem at hand.
Let your friend know that kicking the addiction out of their life is possible. Make them see the path they can take and, more so, how good it is to avoid the triggers. Besides, this is the best time to enlighten them regarding rehabilitation centers. Such facilities specialize in giving addicts a second chance in life as they understand what recovery is all about.
Mostly, a good center will know how to customize the services to suit everyone’s needs. In their detoxification plan, they use the right supportive medication. Giving all this information to the friend will surely give them a glimpse of how it’s truly possible to get rid of drug dependency. As you find the best detox services, take time to understand the specific center you’re targeting. They should be well-organized and focused on long-term recovery. Modern centers effectively deal with withdrawal symptoms, making the journey much smoother.
Show Love and Support
Sometimes, the win over an addiction can be possible by creating a supportive environment. You need to create a system around your friend that acts as a reminder that they aren’t alone. This could be through frequent reach outs. It keeps the fire burning in them, which is essential in the long run.
Remember to also monitor their progress with time. See the change in behavior, mood, and sense of judgment. When you notice any improvement, be quick to pat them on the back as a motivation. Make them also confident in sharing some of the hurdles they’re going through. With this, overcoming any issue that may act as a roadblock becomes easier.
Understand Their Hobbies
An addiction often replaces many things in life. This includes eating up time for friends and family. Most importantly, it makes it impossible to engage in leisure time hobbies. Therefore, even as you engage them in productive talks regarding recovery, find a way to remind them of something they once loved.
This often acts as an effective method of preventing relapse into addiction in the future. For instance, a severe involvement in hobbies or other areas they’re talented in shifts the focus from thinking of drugs to something more constructive. Help them also plan for it. This is where you become a team in such hobbies or connect them with other persons you know have the same interests.
Even after the treatment, this habit will make your friend self-driven as they will have rediscovered their new passion. Later, you could even encourage them to take on other life challenges, including participating in philanthropic work in the community. It could be advising others on how addiction can be avoidable and easy to overcome after falling victim. Thus, as you engage in the talks regarding addiction, project the bigger picture and find ways to prevent relapse even after the recovery.
It’s never easy to see a friend struggling with an addiction. The good thing is that there are practical ways you can approach the issue and make them return to the right path soon. What you need is to be honest and compassionate with your words. Most importantly, encourage them to seek professional help.