Dealing with a Drug Addiction Whether you or a loved one is dealing with a drug addiction, there are many ways that you can overcome it. You might wonder what you can do to cope and turn your life around. Above all else, move forward with the knowledge that it is possible to overcome the addiction. And whether it’s you or someone else that is fighting the addiction, there are a few methods to doing it.
Method 1: Education. The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to cope and move forward into the future. Begin your research with websites like medical websites and keep your eyes out for organizations like AA or 12-step programs—those organizations are there to help people like you get through problems and the many small challenges you face each day of recovery. Whether you’re the one recovering or the one offering support to a loved one, you will be able to deal with the physical and emotional effects resulting from your addiction.
Method 2: Specialists. Keep all your options open if you’re looking into this route. You might consider a detox or rehabilitation center near you—especially if previous attempts at recovery haven’t gone well. You might also search out local anonymous support groups like AA or NarcAnon. Talking to other people can help you sort through your thoughts and find the logical fallacies you might be clinging to. If working with an anonymous group isn’t enough, you might also consider the help of a professional therapist. Most psychologists and social workers have experience helping people recover from addiction, and are able to prescribe the best course of action for someone in recovery. If you’re the one trying to support your loved one, encourage them to seek help. Don’t ignore the situation, because odds are that it will only get worse. You will have to walk a fine line, though—your loved one struggling with addiction must want to change. They can’t make a lasting change in their life unless they’re totally committed to it.
Method 3: Intervention. Intervention is one of the most extreme actions that loved ones of an addict can take. Usually, families will do it when they’ve tried to encourage the addict to seek help, but the addict has been unwilling to admit they’ve got a problem. And since this is such a drastic action, you must be extremely prepared for what will happen. The first action you should take if you want to stage an intervention is to talk to a professional. Therapists will know the best course of action to help someone through an addiction, and may
be able to suggest another route if they feel it would help the addict. Just remember that a botched intervention can result in an addict’s behavior getting even worse. Once you’ve spoken with a professional, planned and organized the event, do it. It will probably be one of the most painful and emotional experience you and all involved will have, but it can go a long way to showing an addict the consequences of their actions when you do it right. Addiction recovery isn’t an easy road. What can you do to cope and turn your life around? The best course of recovery varies with each person, but when you find the right solution, you or your loved one can finally feel free again. There are addiction recovery programs from Utah to New York, find the one that best fits you. Photo Credit: Psyberartist, Drew Leavy