It isn’t easy to sit back and watch someone you care about destroy their body, mind, and life with substance abuse. When a person suffers from an addiction, their drug of choice consumes their life. You may have a strong desire to help, but just don’t know how. Here are a few strategies to assist you in doing so, effectively.
- Avoid Shaming
Shaming a crack addict, or anyone suffering from addiction, for their substance abuse is not going to make them get help. If anything, negative criticism is going to lead them to do the exact opposite of what you are belittling them about. There are ways to make your friends aware of their actions and destructive behaviors without using insults and hurtful words. Shaming can not only increase use, but can also make the addict more withdrawn and secretive. They may start putting more effort into concealing their drug use, or just disconnecting from social interactions altogether in order to avoid feeling attacked.
- Don’t Be an Enabler
Enabling encompasses a range of behaviors carried out by people who care about the addict. Enabling usually involves trying to help in ways that can end up keeping the addiction afloat or even allowing the illness to progress. Most times, enabling is done unintentionally and out of love and protection. Actions such as loaning money and covering up or hiding their mistakes can do more harm than good in the long run. It is hard to watch friends or family members struggle and there isn’t much you can do.
- Encourage and Empower
The path to sobriety is almost never an easy one. Many addicts relapse hard, and on more than one occasion. Trying to force a person to get help is useless if they do not want it for themselves; they have to choose to make the effort to fight the disease. However, they do not have to arrive at that conclusion on their own. As a friend, you want to encourage and empower your friend to get up and get better.
At Asana Recovery, we understand how difficult recovering from these addictions through our daily work to help those struggling most from this disease. While some may believe they can make it alone, rehabilitation programs are essential in the fight to break dependency. The road ahead is not a smooth or easy one, but you can traverse it if done so with the support of the right team. Counseling and aftercare processes can assist you by addressing the psychological facets that led you to addition and help you build a structure from which to better cope with life without succumbing to addiction.
The supervised detoxification and residential treatment programs at Asana Recovery are offered in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. We’re deeply committed to ensuring your long-term recovery, and guiding you on your path to a healthier and happier future. There is no better time than now, and we’re always available to speak with you. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment program today.
