Drug and alcohol rehab is a critical component of addiction recovery. According to a new federal estimate, 21 million Americans aged 12 and older struggled with substance abuse in 2015. Their addiction was so severe that it could be classified as a substance use disorder. Although addiction runs their lives, they may not necessarily get help. Many addicts believe that they have the situation under control.
If you’ve watched a loved one spiral down further into addiction, you’ll know just how ugly the situation can get. The best thing you can do for drug abusers is to encourage and motivate them to get professional help. Many treatment centers across America have the resources necessary to help them get sober. The goal is to introduce the idea to them in a loving manner. You want them to make an active decision to seek help for substance abuse. If you’re fresh out of ideas or don’t know where to start, here are 4 ways you can motivate and convince drug abusers to seek addiction treatment.
#1. Educate Them on the Dangers and Side Effects of Drugs
To encourage a loved one to seek help from a treatment program, you first need to give them a better idea of how dangerous their choice is. Research the side effects and dangers of each drug. Next, you want to gently educate them on the facts. Many drug abusers are under the misconception that their “habit” is not as dangerous or as bad as it seems. They believe that they don’t need help from a drug rehab or alcohol rehab program, as their addiction is still manageable.
Contact drugs and alcohol rehab centers for more information. The addiction specialists can point you towards the right resources and information. With that said, here are some statistics and facts that might come in handy:
- Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome may develop in alcoholics within months; 25% of patients who develop Korsakoff’s psychosis will need long-term institutionalization
- More than 64,000 Americans died from an overdose in 2016
- Cocaine use can lead to permanent gastrointestinal issues and cardiovascular health problems
- Over 61% of meth users relapse within the first year after completing substance abuse treatment
- Substance abuse leads to chemical changes in the brain that may make a person more prone to mental health issues
Each addictive substance will have specific side effects. Some are more dangerous than others. For example, opioids have become leading killers in America. Opioid overdoses kill more people than breast cancer. Once you’ve done your research, sit down with the drug abusers to discuss your concern. It’s important that both you and the drug abusers know all of the facts. Make sure that you do your research through the proper channels. Scientific research and literature are particularly useful in this case.
#2. Use the Right Language
To make a convincing case, you’ll need to approach the subject in the right way. This means that you’ll need to use the right language. To convince someone to take a look at various treatment options, whether it be inpatient treatment or outpatient treatment, you must be empathetic to their plight. Keep in mind that addiction is a disease. Often times, drug addicts can’t help themselves. The addiction is controlling their mind and their actions.
It also means that you need to watch your language. Don’t judge or blame the drug abusers for the situation at hand. Keep in mind that they, too, are victims, regardless of whether they have an addiction to prescription drugs or illicit drugs. Avoid using negative language. Constantly pleading or nagging them will only fall on deaf ears. It won’t work at all.
Instead, you want to encourage responsibility. Try to help the drug abusers take ownership of their own problems. This is a necessary step for them to actively seek help from rehabilitation programs. Drive home the point that it is their own responsibility to make changes to better their own lives; no one else. A quality alcohol and drug rehab can help. It can make it much easier to get sober.
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How to Show Empathy
[/su_pullquote]The goal when starting a conversation is to show empathy. Drug addictions are difficult to beat. Show affected loved ones that you’re on their side. You want to show them that you’re coming from a place of love and support. To be more empathetic, try these tips:
- Ask open-ended questions about the drug or alcohol addiction instead of making statements
- Avoid using negative language or criticizing the individual who needs drug or alcohol treatment
- Keep the topics as generalized as possible instead of being acquisitory
- Show that you are concerned about their situation
- Walk away from the conversation when it gets heated rather than arguing
When you’re empathetic to their plight, it becomes a lot easier to get your loved ones more open to the idea of seeking help from addiction treatment centers. They’ll feel that you’re coming from a good place and that you’re on their side. Mental support is just as important when it comes to encouraging drug addicts to get help. Evidence-based alcohol treatment has highlighted the importance of social support. You want to become the support that they need in these difficult times.
#3. Collect Evidence on How the Addiction Is Affecting Them and Everyone Else Around Them
Many alcoholics and drug addicts don’t realize how their addiction is affecting others around them. They may not realize that their performance at school, work or at home is suffering as a result of the addiction. To drive home the importance of getting substance abuse treatment, collect evidence that shows how the alcohol and drug addictions are affecting everyone’s lives.
For example, you may want to consider making a note of whether they participate in familial activities. Drug abusers often start to isolate themselves and will neglect familial responsibilities. They may lock themselves in their room for the majority of the day. They may even avoid talking with others.
Drug or alcohol addiction doesn’t discriminate. It can affect people of all professions. It may even affect police officers. If you notice that your loved ones are struggling at work as well, make a note of this. You should consider bringing up how the addiction impacts their ability to analyze situations properly. If a specific situation has happened before, you should try to address it in a soft manner. While you do want to bring up evidence of the negative consequences of abusing drugs and alcohol, you don’t want to come off as judgmental. This will only push them further away. It may also cause them to be unwilling to consider getting alcohol or drug treatment from a recovery center.
#4. Consider Relying on a Professional Addiction Intervention Specialist
It’s hard to articulate how the drugs and alcohol have affected everyone. It’s also hard to word the problem in a loving manner. Many people will approach drug abusers in a judgmental and negative manner. This only pushes them towards drugs even more. If you’ve tried to have a civilized conversation, but haven’t been getting through to them, it may be time to get help from a professional addiction intervention specialist.
When approaching drug abusers to get professional help from rehab centers, you need to meticulously plan everything. You need to consider how to broach the topic and to keep the conversation on track. An addiction specialist can help you determine what to focus on and how to present your case. They look and focus on the details to improve the chances of success.
It’s also a good idea to have a third party at the discussion because these conversations often get heated. You and the others who might be involved in the conversation are often too emotionally invested. A specialist has the mental health training needed to coordinate the entire conversation. They’ll make sure that the intended recipient hears your message.
The First Step to Recovery is Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Watching someone that you love and care about fall into the downwards spiral of addiction is disheartening. Often times, they don’t even realize how bad their addiction has become. With that said, the first step to recovery is to reach out to a drug and alcohol rehab center. The rehab facility will have the tools and resources needed to break free from substance abuse. The treatment programs not only help patients become independent from drugs and alcohol, but they also teach them fundamental life skills.
Here, at New England Recovery & Wellness Center, we know just how difficult struggling with an addiction can be. Many of our staff members are recovering addicts. The first step to getting sober is reaching out for help. Speak to one of our addiction specialists to see what we can do for you. Our staff will assess your situation and make recommendations that are tailored towards your needs and expectations. We’ll verify your private insurance coverage and handle all the paperwork for you. We can also answer frequently asked questions to give you a better idea of what to expect from alcohol or drug treatment.
