How to Help a Family Member or Friend Kick Their Addiction

Are you worried your friend or family member is suffering from addiction? There are common signs to look out for. A loss of interest in life, bloodshot eyes, and mood chances are most common. If you're noticing these signs, you probably want to help but you're not sure how. Fortunately, there are ways you can help your loved ones struggling with addiction.

At Macomb Medical Clinic, we offer addiction services. Through a variety of treatment options, we help our patients recover. Here's how we can work with you, and your loved one, to kick their addiction once and for all.

Addiction explained

No one chooses to be an addict. But, humans are pleasure-seekers. When we find something that makes us feel good, we have a hard time letting it go. That's how addiction starts. Chasing that good feeling forces some people to lose control over themselves. That's when addiction changes from emotional to physical. The body starts to need the drug to function. Without it, withdrawal kicks in which can be incredibly painful, and make it even more difficult to stop using.

Helping to beat addiction

You might feel afraid or nervous to speak to your loved one about their addiction. You may also think it's not your business. Someone else will say something so you don't have to, right? Wrong. These concerns are natural and normal but aren't reason enough to stay quiet.

Over 70,000 people in the United States died from illicit and prescription drug overdoses in 2017. You don't want your loved one to be another statistic. Speak up, even if you're afraid to do so.

There are certain steps you can take when speaking to your loved one about their addiction. Here are a few examples:

• Choose a neutral place (not a bar or somewhere that sells alcohol) and a time when your loved one is not under the influence. Don't be judgmental but do tell them how their addiction is impacting you. Also, point out how it is affecting other things and/or people they value like their job or children.
• Do your homework. Make sure you come with information on what's out there; available treatment, recovery resources, research counselors,  possible treatment facilities, etc.
• Show compassion but don't enable. Set personal boundaries of behaviors and be strong.
• Organize an intervention with a professional and other people who care.

Whether you're looking for physical or mental addiction help, contact us. You can call 586-315-2394 to make an appointment today with the medical experts at Macomb Medical Clinic.