How To Convince An Addict To Get Help
By: Stanley Popovich
There are many reasons why people who use drugs and alcohol do not get the help they need to overcome their addictions and other issues.
Some family members who see the people they love struggle may have a difficult time in getting them assistance.
What Is Addiction
Addiction is a chronic condition that involves compulsive seeking and taking of a substance or performing of an activity despite negative or harmful consequences. Addiction can significantly impact your health, relationships, and overall quality of life. It’s important to seek help as you develop signs of addiction.
People may use a substance or engage in harmful addictive behavior even if they want to stop. Over time, they may need more of the substance to feel the same effects as they did before. People with addictions become preoccupied with the substance and often feel helpless.
How To Encourage an Addict to Get Help
1. A family intervention could work: The most popular way to get someone the help they need is to do a family intervention. An intervention is when family members and an interventionist get together with the person to tell them how much they love them and that they need to get some assistance. The person who’s having a hard time listens and hopefully they become convinced to get the treatment they need.
2. Get an addiction expert to talk to the person: Another way to convince the person to get help is to get someone who is an expert on drugs and alcohol and have them do a one-on-one talk with the person who is struggling. This person should explain what will happen if they do nothing. This may help convince the individual who’s having a difficult time to get some guidance.
3. Use the services of a former addict: Get somebody who used to battle addiction to talk to your friend who needs assistance. A person who used drugs and alcohol in the past could use their past experiences to try to reason with the person you know. He or she might be able to use their insights to convince the individual to seek treatment.
4. Reduce family stress: Family stress is one of the leading triggers that can increase mental health and addiction issues. Become aware of the friction and drama in your home and relationships so you can do your part to develop healthy communication and create a safe space for open dialogue.
5. Determine why the person won’t get help: Ask the individual who is struggling to list the main reasons why they will not get assistance. It might take a few tries, however, try to discover what is stopping your friend from getting treatment. Fear and frustration are huge factors for not getting help.
6. Address the reasons why the individual won’t get help: Once you get the reasons why he or she won’t go to rehab, the next step is to find the ways to address the fears the individual may have. Addressing one’s fears and concerns may convince them to take some action that will get their life back on track.
7. Talk to the person instead of talking at them: Nobody wants to be lectured or yelled at. The person who is suffering needs help in overcoming their fears and needs some guidance. Treat others the way you would want to be treated if the roles were reversed. Listen to what they have to say. Reassure them that its ok to seek help.
8. Offer support for loved ones: When your loved one agrees to treatment, tell that you will continue to support them with their recovery efforts. Support may come in various forms, including displaying care, going to meetings, or introducing them to support groups. Assure them you are there for them every step of the way.
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