October 12 2020

Convincing a Loved One to Go to Rehab (Guide)

Addiction can be a difficult issue to discuss with loved ones. Convincing an addict to get help may be intimidating, given the unpredictable nature of substance disorders. Most people don’t know how to convince someone to go to rehab, and that’s okay.

Addiction changes the people we love by altering their brain chemistry, and thus their behavior. You may feel like you do not know your loved one like you used to, making approaching the topic of rehab even more challenging.

Witnessing a loved one struggle with addiction is painful and frustrating. Recovery Hope Treatment offers addiction recovery that includes detox, rehabilitation, therapies, and even interventions. Reach out to us at 614-502-6247 to find out your best options for moving forward.

Content

If you need help with convincing someone you love to go to rehab, then continue reading below.

Recognizing When Someone Has an Addiction
Questions to Ask Before Approaching a Loved One
How You Can Help an Addict
Intervention Services
Continue Supporting an Addict in Rehab
Moving Forward With Care

Recognizing When Someone Has an Addiction

A common misconception about addiction is that addicts are only addicted to illicit substances. However, many people become addicted to prescription medication even after following their doctor’s dosage instructions.

Addiction can happen to anyone, at any age. Assuming that all addicts are using street drugs paints an inaccurate picture of Substance Use Disorders. Whether your loved one is addicted to an illegal substance or cannot stop taking their prescription medication, convincing an addict to get help is necessary to help them recover.

When convincing someone to go to rehab, it is vital to keep an open mind.

Your loved one may have experienced psychological and physiological changes, resulting in a difference in personality. It is essential to make a note of any behavioral changes that you witness and recognize when your loved one is responding abnormally.

Indications of addiction might be difficult to see on the surface. People with substance use disorders often learn how to hide their behavior. Figuring out how to get someone to go to rehab will require attention to addict-type behavior and warning signs. Whether your loved one is a teenager or a senior citizen, uses illicit substances or prescription medication, addiction is capable of happening to anyone.

Questions to Ask Before Approaching A Loved One

If you are skeptical of your loved-one’s substance use, it’s important to directly address them about it, even if it feels uncomfortable.

By asking the questions below, you may get a better understanding of the severity of your loved one’s struggle with drugs or alcohol.

Does your loved one use the substance in higher increments than usual?
Is the substance illegal?
Does your loved one want to quit, but can’t?
Does your loved one skip out on their responsibilities to use the substance? (such as work or family obligations)
Is your loved one getting in trouble at work, school, or with the law?
Is your loved one struggling to maintain healthy relationships?
Does your loved one continue to use the substance, regardless of the consequences? (such as losing their job, their significant other, or their residence)
Is your loved one experiencing withdrawal symptoms between use?
Does your loved one display a heightened sense of agitation or irritability?
Is your loved one experiencing difficulty sleeping or dealing with irregular sleep patterns?
Does your loved one believe they have a problem?

If more than a few of these questions can be answered with a definitive “Yes”, you might be dealing with a person with serious addiction issues.

However, it’s crucial that when approaching someone about their substance use, you remain calm and non-judgmental. Try to empathize with the position they’re in. No addict enjoys being an addict. They may want help but are afraid to ask for it, and you can be the person they confide in. Contact us today for more information about helping an addict. We can help you and them get the rehab treatment they deserve.

How You Can Help an Addict

LEARN ABOUT SUBSTANCE ABUSE

If your suspicions about your loved one’s addiction have been confirmed, it can be difficult to cope with. Both you and your loved one can benefit from professionals who can help lessen the emotional upheaval that comes with addiction. Educating yourself about addiction and recovery can go a long way towards helping you understand your loved one’s situation.

You can call an addiction specialist at 614-502-6247 to learn how to get someone into rehab and find resources to study up on addiction’s effects on the body and brain. Also, you can better understand how substances affect decision-making and life priorities.

By taking the time to learn about your loved one’s addiction, you can better prepare yourself when approaching how to get someone to go to rehab. By showing empathy, compassion, and understanding, you are far more likely to reach your loved one on an emotional level, furthering your chances of successfully helping them.

SUPPORT GROUPS FOR FAMILY MEMBERS OF ADDICTS

A surprising amount of people are unaware that there are support groups for family members of addicts. Therapy groups are available to the family members to allow loved ones to better cope, understand, and receive education about your loved one’s addiction.

For example, if your loved one is suffering from alcohol addiction, there is a group called “Al-Anon” for friends and family members of alcoholics. Additionally, a group called “Alateen” targets a younger audience to help teenagers and pre-teens cope with an alcoholic parent. These groups are open to the public and free to attend. This offers the opportunity for family and loved ones to band together, educating themselves and expressing their emotions in a constructive way.

Showing that you care is an important part in helping someone struggling with addiction. Addicts often feel isolated and alone in their struggle, and reaching out to lend support is vital for a successful recovery.

Intervention Services

You might find yourself in the position where your loved one has heard you out, but refuses to accept treatment.

This can be a frustrating experience and leave you feeling powerless. However, remember that denial or rejection is not a sign of failure on your part, or even your loved one’s. It simply means you may have to take further steps.

Professional intervention services can help your loved one understand the level of concern from their family and friends. An “interventionist” can help organize and guide an intervention and keep things on track. Frequently, family members are encouraged to write letters to their addicted loved one, explaining how their addiction has affected them and encouraging them to accept treatment.

Additionally, recovery professionals can provide their expertise to the dangers of continued use and serve as an objective third party if an addict starts to feel they’re being “ganged up on”.

Typically, interventions are required in situations where family and friends are legitimately concerned about the immediate welfare of the addict. If a person poses a threat to themselves or others, it is appropriate to act on it.

Interventions can be an excellent tool in convincing someone to accept the help they need. Contact our experts today if you would like assistance with having an intervention. We can assist and support you through this entire endeavor.

Continue Supporting an Addict in Rehab

In the simplest of terms, encouragement throughout your loved one’s recovery journey is the best way to help them. There are many things you can do that seem small but make the most significant impact. For instance, helping with daily steps can make all the difference in the world.

For instance, this can look like:

Providing transportation to and from treatment sessions and therapy meetings
Assisting your loved one in reestablishing a residence or employment (if needed)
Participating in non-drug-related activities with them
Preventing potentially toxic family members or friends from distracting your loved one while in treatment
Being open to discussions with them about their cravings and emotions
Remaining non-judgmental, even in the face of relapse
Showing compassion and empathy as often as possible
Redirecting focus away from drug use and encourage treatment strategies in the event of a relapse
Attending open support group meetings with them

The little details can make all the difference in a person’s recovery process. A solid support network consisting of people who genuinely care about the person goes a long way in fighting addiction.

At the same time, don’t forget to take care of yourself in the process.

In addition, dealing with someone with a substance abuse disorder can be mentally taxing and often frustrating. It can cause financial and work-related issues and even affect your social life. Pay attention to your own emotions and how you are handling situations. Being overly stressed when trying to help someone can backfire and even be the cause of a relapse or related issue.

If you feel you cannot do it by yourself, or that things are too overwhelming, take a step back. Ask someone for help. It is hard to fight addiction alone, and you shouldn’t have to fight it alone either.

Moving Forward With Care

To summarize, addiction changes the people we love. A person in active addiction has had their brain altered by substances, and they may start acting like a completely different person. This makes it especially difficult when you’re trying to help someone close to you, who you genuinely care about. No one wants to see a loved one struggle through life.

But there is hope and there is help. Convincing an addict to go to rehab can be an intimidating task. Remember that there are resources aimed specifically at helping someone recover from addiction.

Witnessing a loved one struggle with addiction can be devastating, but you don’t have to fix everything alone. Recovery Hope Treatment offers a multitude of services that can help you and the person you care about fight substance abuse. Reach out to us at 614-502-6247 and find out how to start down the right path towards a successful recovery.

Written by: Annalise Baare