Don’t Postpone Getting Your Loved One Into Drug Addiction Treatment

Author: Cynthia Madison

Let’s face it: When you have a loved one in active alcohol or drug addiction, communication isn’t easy. Conversations that often serve the best intentions can end in blazing arguments, cursing, yelling, passive-aggressive remarks, avoidance, frustration, criticism – sometimes even threats.

The ability to talk to each other is one of the first skills that can be lost to addiction – people no longer find communication important in relationships and life, and for many people, a close relationship with an addicted partner often becomes a source of chaos, negativity, emotional upheaval, and even violence. Addiction can eventually shatter family balance by undermining trust, which weakens the bond between partners. However, convincing a partner to face their addiction challenges takes a team effort. Here are some tips on how to get your partner into rehab whether or not he or she wants to go.

Understand the symptoms and signs of substance abuse

To help your partner recover from alcohol or drug abuse, you need to recognize the warning signs. More often than not, someone abusing a substance will:

  • Be secretive

  • Avoid responsibilities

  • Neglect hygiene

  • Ask for money without any important reasons

  • Frequent mood changes

  • Becoming isolated

  • Coming home smelling like alcohol or smoke

While these are only general symptoms that could indicate your partner is abusing a substance, the exact symptoms they demonstrate will vary depending on their addiction level, as well as the substance they choose to use. Someone having trouble with alcohol may come home smelling like it, but someone who is abusing prescribed medications or other drugs may not demonstrate that particular sign.

When someone is using stimulant substances like cocaine, there may not be any evident symptoms. Yet, if you’re a skilled observer, you will notice the person displaying uncharacteristic hyperactivity or the ability to stay awake for long periods.

The point here isn’t that you won’t be able to notice symptoms of abuse in your partner, but that you might need to pay more attention to figure out something is wrong. Do that, and you will figure out whether or not you should send your loved one into rehab.

Address the elephant in the room

If what you’ve suspected about your partner has proved right, find out if they would like to begin an addiction treatment. But that might not be easy, and you should expect your partner:

  • Not agreeing with having a problem

  • Not wanting to change what they are doing

  • Fearing consequences of losing their job or going to prison

  • Feeling embarrassed and not sharing information

  • Feeling embarrassed to discuss with a doctor or counsellor

  • Engaging in drug abuse to avoid dealing with another problem

There’s no easy way to help a loved one battling substance abuse. Preventing it requires a great deal of effort and support. When someone does anything in their power to refuse your help, trying to convince them to get help is unlikely to work. But that doesn’t mean it is impossible. You can still take steps to help your family member make changes in the long term. It’s also important that you don’t face this process by yourself, so make sure you get the support you need to cope, too.

  • Provide Support and Love

Choose a rehab program where you can offer all the support and appreciation during each stage of treatment. Recovery from drug addiction is one of the most difficult things someone will ever do. It’s important not to make them feel alone throughout the process.

You’re going to become an anchor for them, a pillar they can use to endure their recovery. At the risk of sounding cliché, having a strong support system is important to the success of any recovery journey.

What to expect during rehab?
  • Emotional Overload

When a loved one enters treatment for substance abuse, effectively communicating with her or him can be challenging. But the good news is that you’ll likely be feeling a flood of conflicting emotions of your own. You will probably feel anxious about the success of the treatment, but also a great relief and comfort knowing that your family member is getting real help for his or her substance problem.

But no matter how you feel regarding this process, you should understand that maintaining a line of communication may help both you and your family members.

  • Blackout Periods

Many rehab sanctuaries and facilities have restrictions and phone rules for clients – depending on how long a patient has been staying at the treatment centre, their therapy and work results.

The first period of treatment, which normally takes a few days, can include what is known as a "blackout period" – where patients are not allowed to contact family members and instead must focus on their healing process. However, you may still write your loved one an uplifting letter.

Before you go….

Substance abuse can have a seriously detrimental effect on the health and well-being of people as well as their loved ones. Receiving special treatment is crucial and can help people begin to recover their normal selves and improve relationships with their partners, children, and other important family members.

Assistance from family and friends is crucial, but individuals who care for their loved one with an addiction problem also need to be sure that they’re carrying for themselves. Reaching out for specialised groups like Al-Anon or Nar-Anon, seeking education resources, and discussing with a mental health professional can all be necessary if you have someone who has a substance use problem.