Help your loved one fight addiction.

Drugs and alcohol have become a weapon of mass destruction to the individual’s autonomy, families and societies. Many societies and families are being affected by drug use directly or indirectly. It is accompanied by devastating social ills such as domestic violence, child neglect, emotional or physical abuse and a variety of crimes.

Families affected by this pandemonium always live in constant fear of the ‘unknown’. The fear of not knowing what’s going to happen to their loved one or to themselves.

To date, drugs and alcohol have destroyed a lot of families, relationships and communities. How then do we move forward, ensuring the safety and healing of those affected?

Like they say, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’; so is the case with the addicts. The individual by him/herself cannot recover without help & support.

More so, the family’s help and support alone is not enough. Many a time, the family is always the last to know. Therefore it is important to identify drug use in your loved one.

Mainly drug users or abusers are good at hiding their addiction. Though the family will be affected by the adverse effects of their actions, the drug user /alcohol user will not want their loved ones to know that they are using drugs.

Here are the signs and symptoms that indicate that your loved one may be addicted to drugs.

• A drastic change in behaviour

• Loss of interest in certain activities they used to enjoy

• Isolation

• Financial problems

• Loss of weight

• Frequently missing family gatherings, work or school

• Lack of motivation

• Lack of energy

• Tremors

• Paranoia

However, some of the above signs and symptoms differ with individuals as well as the substance they are using. For more information please visit our page on types of addiction.

If you suspect that your loved one is having a drug or alcohol addiction problem it is advised that you talk to them about seeking help.

Quite a number of individuals who abuse drugs or alcohol are constantly in denial. They do not believe they need help. This is because addiction is a disease that alters their way of thinking and it starts to control their mind. The best way to deal with individuals in denial is to:

• Approach them when they are sober

• Do not be judgmental, show them that you care and you are concerned

• Be empathetic but do not sympathise with them as this encourage enabling.

• Explain to them your concerns and the adverse effects their addiction has caused both in their lives and family.

Click here you can find more information on how to start a conversation with a loved one in addiction.

Find a suitable treatment centre

It is very critical to find a suitable treatment centre that addresses your loved one unique needs. Finding a treatment centre for your loved one might seem to be a challenge but it is achievable.

Learning as much as you can about different treatments and approaches makes it easier to make a decision. Consider things such as:

• location,

• costs,

• medical aid coverage,

• treatment program,

• length of the program,

• accreditation

• positive treatment experience from testimonies of previous clients.

Please look at the reasons you should look at a facility that is a registered treatment centre.

People affected with addiction might feel hopeless in their situation but help is always available for individuals with drug/alcohol addiction. It might take time for individuals to accept their problem and seek help, but also as family members there are ways that we can seek help for them.

If you feel that your loved one is taking long to accept help and that their lives or the family’s lives are in danger you can ask help from intervention teams and from your local court.

If we work together, we can beat this. Kindly visit our blog for more information on choosing us to be your partner.

Contact us today or visit our site for more information on our programme.

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More articles to read.

Why do I need help with my addiction?

Trying to go into recovery can be daunting in itself. Though getting sober on your own is possible, it is staying sober that most people need help with.

Why choose PRC?

Going into detail why our treatment program is effective and sets us apart from other centres.

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