5 ways to help a friend who is addicted to drugs

by David Penny

We all know that drug addiction is rampant, with British Columbia experiencing more than 10,000 overdose fatalities between 2016 and 2023, for an average of six lives lost daily. Of those who died, more than a quarter had steady employment, while a slightly larger percentage were constantly unemployed.

The fact is that addiction affects Canadians from each and every walk of life.

It doesn’t matter if you’re from Main and Hastings in Vancouver, York Mills in Toronto, or St. Michel in Montreal, drugs are everywhere, and so are the people who use them. People of all walks of life, all income levels and all ages are being affected, and everyone is vulnerable in the toxic drug crisis.

Addiction costs more than just the physical toll on your body, it can cost people their life, marriage, kids, job and everything worthwhile if it isn’t dealt with quickly. There are proven ways to overcome a problem with substance use, but people can rarely overcome it alone.

People need love, support and care. Too often, people are willing to look the other way when they suspect something is wrong, and as an addict, the easiest people to lie to and manipulate are those who want to believe us.

In addiction, we might feel depressed, trapped, ashamed, stigmatized, and a number of other feelings. The path to recovery starts with acknowledgment, respect and compassion.

If you suspect someone is struggling with drugs, here are five ways you can help.

1. Identify the problem

There must’ve been something that caused you to be concerned about your loved one, friend or colleague; try your best, without being intrusive, to find out what’s going on.

What are the signs you’ve seen? Have there been any dramatic changes in their lifestyle, mood, productivity or relationships? Once you have a grasp of what’s happening, you’ll be better equipped to talk to them from a place of love.

2.Educate yourself

A common misconception is that addiction is a moral failing, the reality is that for many years this was the consensus. Modern research and science overwhelmingly support the fact that individuals with chemical dependency issues suffer from a chronic, relapsing and sometimes fatal disease. People do not choose for their lives to be unmanageable or to be chemically dependent. The more someone knows about this particular illness, the better equipped they’ll be to offer assistance.

3.Plan an intervention

Extending a helping hand must be carefully considered and executed. If there is any doubt about the fact that you’re being authentic, the person who you’re trying to help is likely to put up barriers and have difficulty hearing what you’re trying to say.

Think about what you’re going to do, plan it out and then come from a place of concern and love. If necessary, you may need to hire a professional or seek someone with knowledge about the best practices of intervening for assistance.

Try your best to do it properly once, as this could be the difference between life or death.

4.Dialogue

It’s natural that anyone who is suffering from drug addiction would want to keep it a secret. The fear of consequence or fall out makes the subject a very difficult thing for an addict to talk about.

Communication is vital, as once they realize that you’re on their side, and simply want to help, barriers will start to come down. Use non-violent communication and talk things through.

5.Offer a solution

You can talk all day about what the addicted individual should do, but the reality is that you need to provide them with a viable alternative to the path they’re on.

Will they need inpatient treatment? Will they need counselling? Ensure you have resources you can offer so they understand you’re ready to support them.

There is no quick and easy fix, but your loved one can recover with your support.

In our society, far too many people suffer the consequences of addiction in silence or alone; there is an alternative, but most of the time, it requires the involvement of others. If you suspect someone is struggling, be a vehicle of change and lend a helping hand. Doing something is easier than you’d think.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out. If you are unsure where to start, those of us at Together We Can Drug & Alcohol Education & Recovery Society are here to help through our education programs for families, friends and spouses. Visit twcrecoverylife.org for more information.

David Penny is the digital communications coordinator at Together We Can Drug & Alcohol Education & Recovery Society.