Helping family members and friends
First, understand that addiction is a disease. Additionally, understand that a family member, a friend, a health care professional cannot force a person through recovery. Each individual must choose to walk down the path of recovery on their own. They are up against a tough fight, but you can be there to support them. There are a number of ways to help them including:
- Learning about addiction
- Seeking a professional for guidance including how to help the one you care about choose to receive help
- Lending a listening ear when your loved one wants to share their thoughts and feelings
- Expressing praise for their good goals and actions
- Joining them in their favorite wholesome activities
- Helping them stay in clean and supportive environments
- Helping them see recovery is good and beneficial
- Blaming and judging
- Punishing, threatening, and preaching
- Hiding or sheltering them from the reality of their situation
- Taking responsibility for their behaviors