HOW DO YOU HANDLE A DRUG ADDICT OR AN ALCOHOL WHO REFUSES TREATMENT?

Sometimes, as hard as you may try, convincing someone to get the help they need is not a foolproof task to complete. After all, stubborn and headstrong people do not always want your assistance and think they are more powerful than they really are (an unfortunate reality of human nature, at times). For a moment, though, imagine that this headstrong person is your spouse, parent, or child. How would you feel if you kept trying to get them to rehab, and they kept headbutting you over the matter? Obviously, you would feel helpless. As a parent, it would be even more upsetting. So, what can you do to ensure a drug addict or an alcoholic who refuses treatment eventually gets the help they need (and fast)? Let’s take a closer look at this situation and find out more.

Setting Up Your Goals

Prior to interacting with the addict or alcoholic, always remember to consider what particular problems could be contributing to this person’s mental disorder and what resources at your (and their) disposal. Also, be sure to consider if the person is question poses a potentially high risk to other people around them (including you and the rest of their loved ones). If the situation is too dangerous, you can always call for backup.

Ten Steps for You

However, if you feel like the situation is under control, here are ten steps you can follow to get the addict or alcoholic the help they need:

• Step 1: Stage a full-blown intervention.
• Step 2: Assess the situation and determine how many attempts to help this person have failed.
• Step 3: Provide nothing but love and encouragement to the addict/alcoholic.
• Step 4: Provide support and do not “guilt-trip” them.
• Step 5: For a change, try a non-confrontational conversation and get this person to warm up to you (or others involved).
• Step 6: If you have determined you are an enabler, find out what lifelines you can cut.
• Step 7: Schedule a regular checkup or an assessment for the person.
• Step 8: Determine how far into this person has sank into alcoholism and addiction.
• Step 9: Educate yourself about the circumstances surrounding their addiction and the drugs that are causing it.
• Step 10: Stop denying your capacity to be a good friend and a caregiver. No matter how much an addict will blame you, it is not your fault they are in this position.

Always remember that mind-altering drugs do not have control over your life. You do. Are you suffering from a substance use disorder or a severe form of addiction? Do you have a friend or family member suffering from one or more of these debilitating illnesses? If you do, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our counselors and healthcare experts are ready to walk you through every step of the detox and withdrawal process and rehabilitation and guide you towards living a happier, healthier, and freer lifestyle. While the road to recovery might not be an easy road to travel, we promise to help you every step of the way. Take the first step to stay fit, healthy, and safe.

The time for you to take back control of your life is now. If you are interested in one of our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how to overcome your drug abuse or addiction troubles today.