Few people are equipped to deal with a loved one with an addiction. Inevitably, when someone in the family has an addiction, others in the house may either withdraw or become combative. It’s easy to see why addiction can cause frustration, hurt feelings, and mistrust in the home. However, if you are going to help a loved one with an addiction, you should seek professional help and consult a treatment specialist.
An addiction treatment center can give you the tools you need for a successful intervention. You can learn what to say, how to act, and when to intervene. You can also put together an intervention team that includes a treatment professional.
If you don’t feel as though an intervention would be the best option for your loved one with an addiction, perhaps you should consider the following suggestions.
4 Ways to Help a Loved One with an Addiction
1. Control Your Emotions
If your tactic is to lash out or verbally attack the person, there is a good chance you will lose them. Most people do not respond well to harsh criticism, threats, or emotional outbursts. Instead, stay calm and speak gently to someone who is struggling with addiction. You can be direct without being intense. You can address the issue without chasing the person away. So, learn to control your emotions. This strategy will help you stay in control of the situation.
2. Set Boundaries
A loved one with an addiction needs to know when they have crossed the line. It is up to you to draw the line and create boundaries. Common boundaries include:
- Not allowing your loved one to drink in front of you
- Setting a nightly curfew
- Allowing your loved on to sit in jail if they get arrested
- Not allowing your loved one to drive if they have been drinking
- Banning alcohol from the house
When you set boundaries, you practice self-care, protect your family, and communicate to your loved one that their behavior is unacceptable. When set boundaries, you must be super consistent in following them. Make sure your loved one knows the consequences of crossing the boundaries.
3. Put Together an Intervention Plan
If it is time for intervention, then make sure you put together a plan and don’t just confront the person on the spot. An intervention plan is a strategy for how you will confront the person, what you will say, who will be involved, and when the intervention will occur. You will decide who will do the talking and what message you want to convey.
You want to include mature, responsible, and level-headed people on your intervention team who can handle the intensity of the moment without losing their temper. You may also want to include an intervention specialist such as a therapist, counselor, or a professional at a drug addiction treatment center.
4. Provide Support and Encouragement
If your loved one with an addiction listens to you and agrees to go to an addiction rehab center, you need to provide as much encouragement and support as possible. For instance, while they are in rehab, now is the time to get the house in order. Make sure you visit and call regularly. Send letters of encouragement and be willing to participate in family therapy. Do whatever it takes to restore normalcy to your home.
Learn More Today About an Intervention at Blueprint Recovery Center
Staging an intervention or helping a loved one enter a recovery program is never easy. However, with the right help, you can change the life of a loved one with an addiction. To find out more about intervention, treatment services, and family therapy programs, contact Blueprint Recovery Center by either calling 833.654.1004 or completing our convenient online form. Let us help you or a loved one get on the road to recovery today.
