Addiction affects everyone who interacts with the person who has a problem. When you love a person who has a problem with alcohol or drugs, you want to help them in any way possible. You can’t decide to get help for them. That decision has to be something they willingly make. However, you can try to talk with your loved one about your concerns and help them see the need for help. Furthermore, you can be there to help support them throughout the process. Talking with your loved one will be difficult, and sometimes it is hard to know how to approach the subject. While everyone reacts differently, you can do some basic things to make approaching the subject of an addiction treatment center easier for everyone. To learn more about how to encourage your loved one to seek treatment, contact Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge today at 888.546.2579.
Plan in Advance
Convincing someone they need addiction treatment isn’t easy. Before you approach your loved one, try talking with friends and family and ask for their advice and support. Look into various programs and send for brochures that you can share if your loved one is agreeable. Decide on the time and place for your discussion and practice what you are going to say. While you might want to make it up as you go along, it is better to know what you will say in advance. This will help you to stay focused and not get overly emotional or distracted. You will also be able to plan for various reactions from your loved one.
Address the Behavior
Make sure you convey the message that you love this person and will be there to support them. Use your words to address the behavior without attacking the individual. Try to use “I feel…” rather than “You make me….” statements. Offer comments on your loved one’s good traits and how you miss certain behaviors since the addiction has taken control. Express your love and concern and give examples of situations that illustrate what you see happening. Be willing to listen if your loved one wants to express their thoughts and feelings on the subject but be ready to counter any attempts to change the topic at hand. Stay focused on what you want to happen.
Remain Calm
The worst time to have a conversation like this is in the midst of an argument. Make sure you remain calm throughout the discussion. Don’t be led into a fight or into feeling like the bad person because you brought up the subject. This area is where planning your conversation can help. Your loved one may try different tactics to avoid the discussion, such as:
- Making you angry
- Trying to make you feel guilty for hurting their feelings
- Shutting down and not talking
- Physically get up and leave the room
Make up your mind to continue the conversation as soon as you both have calmed. It is more than likely that your loved one knows they have a problem and need help. This issue isn’t easy to admit, and you may fail in getting them to agree immediately. The discussion will plant a seed, however. Give them time to think about your words if they need it.
Seeking Help
Once you have gotten your loved one to see that they need addiction treatment, you can reach out to an addiction treatment center. If you are considering having this important talk with a loved one, contact Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge. You can ask for any information that may help you and your loved one determine if the program we offer is a good fit. We provide a range of services, including:
- Addiction detox programs
- Inpatient addiction treatment
- Faith-based addiction treatment
- Short term clinical programs
- Outpatient addiction treatment
We are always happy to help support you in your support of your loved one. Reach out to us today.
