It can be very hard to live with a family member / friend / partner who has a drinking or drug use disorder. It’s best not to try to control, excuse, or cover up their drinking or drug use. Instead, encourage and help them to get treatment. You may be able to do this by:
- Making a point of spending time with your loved one when they are sober. Research has shown that spending time with family members who struggle with addiction when they are NOT using alcohol or drugs can be helpful. It reinforces healthy behaviors and starts to rebuild relationships that may have been damaged by #substanceabuse.
- Avoiding making excuses for them, such as covering up for missed work or missed activities with children. Don’t lie or stretch the truth to help the person. Research shows that not protecting people from the consequences of their alcohol or drug use helps them to see the real impacts of their behavior. It can help them build motivation for making necessary changes.
- Clearly say your concerns for your loved one (such as health or work) and how substance use is affecting your relationship or your family. For example, let them know if you don’t feel safe when they drink or how their behavior is affecting your children. Let them know that you love them and want to help.
- Being clear that if the drinking or drug use continues, that you will take action if they don’t seek help. For example, you could say that alcohol use or drug use is causing money problems and that you will cancel credit cards if it continues. Be prepared to follow through.
- Share your concerns and encourage loved ones to get help early on, before major problems from alcohol or drug use have piled up. It may be hard for the person to see the problems as being serious. But it can be easier to make healthier choices about alcohol or drug use when problems are less severe. When difficulties progress, it can be harder to fix damaged relationships with family, friends, and others in their support network.
- Being ready and able to help your loved one suffering with addiction when a decision is made to get treatment.
Encouraging Treatment to a Loved One Suffering with Addiction: For more info., contact us.
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