If a loved one is struggling with drug abuse, your first instinct might be to try to help them in any way you can. And for many people, that means attempting to find ways to bribe or trick them into entering a drug treatment center.
Sometimes this works. Other times, it doesn’t. In either case, there are other ways you can assist someone you love who is battling substance use disorder.
Fortunately, there are many things that you can do as an ally and advocate to assist someone who is struggling with substance use disorders. You may not be able to force your loved one into treatment, but with the right support networks, it’s possible to create conditions that make treatment more likely and recovery more likely.
Here are some ideas of how you can assist a loved one to enter a drug addiction treatment center:
1. Educate Them About Drug Rehabilitation
One of the most important things you can do to help a loved one is to inform them about the type of treatment they will receive at a drug or alcohol rehabilitation center. Although many different types of programs are available, they all have a few things in common.
Some of the most important aspects to look for in a program include:
- A focus on holistic treatment that addresses the mind, body, and spirit.
- An emphasis on medical treatment as needed.
- The availability of aftercare services, such as daily group meetings, one-on-one counseling, sober living facilities, relapse prevention education, and 12-step meetings.
- The use of evidence-based practices has been proven to be effective in helping people recover from their substance use disorder.
2. Help Them Identify The Root Problem
Addiction is usually more than just a choice to abuse drugs or alcohol. It is a complex issue that often has its root cause in childhood trauma, mental illness, a co-occurring disorder, or other trauma.
You should ask your loved one to speak more about their childhood, upbringing, education, and any traumas they’ve experienced. This can help them identify the root cause of their substance use disorder and make them more likely to be open to treatment.
3. Help Them Create A Recovery Plan
When you help someone identify the root problem contributing to their drug or alcohol abuse, as explained above, it helps them to create a personal recovery plan targeted to their specific needs. This includes everything from the overall goals for sobriety to specific steps for managing triggers, cravings, and mental health issues.
4. Help By Finding Treatment Facilities And Counselors
You might come across various options when searching for a drug addiction treatment in NYC center. Some are better than others, and some are better suited to your loved one’s specific needs.
When you find a treatment center that is a good fit, you can help your loved one by advocating on their behalf. You can let the staff know that your loved one wants help but might be too ashamed or embarrassed to talk to them themselves. Meanwhile, there are also consultations available from online suboxone clinics for those people who feel embarrassed consulting physically with a doctor.
5. Help By Maintaining Relationships While They’re In Treatment
While your loved one is in treatment, it’s important to maintain the relationships you have with your loved one. You can do this by staying in touch, even if they aren’t receptive to it.
You can also do things to help support your loved one while they are in treatment, such as:
- Helping them find an aftercare program to continue their progress after treatment.
- Offering to help them find a job or go back to school.
- Assisting them financially if needed.
- Taking care of their children or other dependents if needed.
In Conclusion
Watching a loved one struggle with drug addiction can be very difficult. But no matter how challenging it might seem, we all need to be supportive and help them get into the right rehab center.
And as you can see, there are so many things you could do as an aid to help your loved one get the treatment they need.
