Four Tips to Help an Addict Change

Helping an Addict Change

Families, friends and counselors often are frustrated in waiting and watching for an addict to change.  The addict promises to do things differently and may even attempt to live without drugs . . . only to find they fall deeper into the addictive cycle.  Loved ones may lose hope and want to give up on the addict.  

Before a loved one quits on the addict, be aware that there is hope. There is a path to help an addict change and it begins with you.  To help an addict change, you must educate yourself on addiction. 

Here are four tips to help an addict change.  These tips are written for you - the family, friend, counselor and loved one.  They are designed to increase your awareness so you can understand the addict's reality and struggle to take the first step toward healthy change. 

Four tips to help an addict change:

First - Be aware that most addicts will underestimate their substance use.  They may be in denial. Denial is not lying. An addict in denial actually believes what they say about their relationship with drugs and alcohol.  Denial is when an addict is not aware of the seriousness or consequences of their substance abuse. 

Second - Be aware that many substance abusers will require medication to manage the physical dependence as they withdraw.  In order to detox, an addict may require medical assistance to ensure a safe withdrawal.

Third - Be aware of self medication.  Frequently an addict is suffering from a co-occurring disorder.  In other words, there may be an underlying reason an addict is using substances and they may be self medicating through the use of  drugs and alcohol.  These underlying reasons such as anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression, paranoia, schizophrenia, post traumatic stress disorder may require a psychological evaluation and the use of medication to stabilize an addict so they can have a successful recovery.   

Fourth - Be aware that abstinence is the desired outcome for the addict and as the addict chooses to change they may experience set backs or a relapse which is a brief return to using substances.

Walking the path of recovery is not meant to be done alone.

To help an addict change it is important to use a nonjudgmental and supportive approach.  Guide the addict to consider the consequences of past and continued abuse of substances. 

Patience and longsuffering are required as the family and friends join the path of recovery alongside an addict.  Family and friends benefit from attending Alanon, Celebrate Recovery or a Family Education group to learn more about recovery, find supportive relationships and share their personal struggles.

Remember there is hope and hope is the lifeblood of longsuffering.

To talk with a counselor or learn more check out our webpage:  www.stages2change.com