You want to stop addiction from ruining the life of your child, friend, or parent. For loved ones, often desperate to do whatever it takes to help a family member, it’s hard to watch them suffer. You would do anything to know how to stop addiction and turn back time. But, reality is, this is their battle. You’ve heard that before, but what does it mean to you? Is there anything you can realistically do to help your loved one?

You cannot save your loved one’s life on your own. No matter how much willpower you have, they must be able to heal from within with the guidance they need to break the physical and emotional hold substances have on their life. However, there are a few key factors to keep in mind.

• You can help them get into treatment and help.
• You can be there for them when times are tough.
• You can be patient and understanding if they relapse – addiction relapse happens at about the same rate as cancer or high blood pressure relapse occurs, and does not indicate failure.
• You should learn about addiction, dependency, mental health disorders, and trauma.
• You cannot know what it is likely to struggle with addiction or the demand for substances unless you have been there.

Recognizing these areas, it is time to consider your options for offering authentic, effective help that makes a difference. You can be there for them as they overcome the odds.

Realistic Solutions to Help Save Your Loved One’s Life from Addiction

Consider several key strategies for supporting your loved one’s path to recovery. Take these steps to help them.

Consider an Intervention

Put aside those memories you have of TV-show interventions in which a group of people have an all-out fight and drag their family member off to rehab. In actuality, interventions are conversations from the heart. They are opportunities to provide transparent honesty with a loved one about how their health is impacting you.

You can work with a specialist to provide support through an intervention or seek guidance from a treatment center.

• Create a plan with a small group of people close to your loved one.
• Discuss treatment options.
• Contact Victory Addiction Recovery Center ahead of time for guidance.
• Plan that conversation and be open-minded.
• Be ready to support your loved one.

Stop Telling Them What to Do and Listen

Addiction is never a choice. It is not possible to simply stay “I’m not using substances” anymore. Instead, it takes hard work and treatment that’s specific to your loved one’s needs. You cannot tell them to stop and expect them to listen.

You also cannot feel personally responsible when they fail or may not be honest with you. Rather, it is essential that you listen to what they are facing and offer the support you can throughout the journey.

Maintain Their Trust

A person with a substance use disorder (SUD) is already struggling with mental health and emotional pain. If they provide you with insight into what they are facing, keep that trust. That means you should not share what they tell you with others. Avoid providing information on social media.

Be there for them, but let your loved one guide you. This does not mean that, in a crisis situation, you don’t act for them. Certainly do so, but also protect their privacy and guard the trust they put in you.

Create Goals, Objectives, and Repercussions

Though it can be really tough to do so, if you want to help your loved one recover from addiction, you cannot continue to make it possible for them to do so. Consider these steps:

• Don’t provide them with money because the rent is late if they use that money for substances.
• Make it clear what you will and will not do for them. You will not lie for them, but help them if they are in trouble.
• Set clear expectations of when you cannot help any longer. If they are abusive to you or a loved one, or they are misusing your trust, you have to let go.

Any time you threaten someone, you must follow through on it. That means you should never make promises or threats you cannot or will not keep.

How Victory Can Help You

There is no doubt that drug and alcohol addiction is a complex disease. If you could take it all away from them, you would. That’s not possible, and even as harsh as it sounds, this is their battle.

You can be there for them when they need you most. Contact Victory Addiction Recovery Center now to learn how we can help you prepare.