Dealing with a loved one or coworker who has a drug or alcohol addiction can be nearly as stressful as having an addiction yourself. Even so, it’s best not to forget that these people need help and support during this difficult time. The problem lies in how to approach them about their addiction, as a careless approach can be misinterpreted as being judgmental, or mocking. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can approach an addict, and convince them to get help before it’s too late.
The One on One Approach
One of the best ways to approach an addict is to wait until an opportunity presents itself to do so one on one. The benefit here is that you show the addict that you are conscious about not embarrassing them, and don’t run the risk of exposing their addiction to those who may not know about it. This is best done face to face if possible, but can be done over the phone if you feel more comfortable with that approach. Doing this through texts isn’t advised though, as it doesn’t really recognize the seriousness of the situation.
The Subtle Approach
If you don’t feel that straight up calling out your loved one on their addiction is a great idea, there are more subtle ways you can help. One way is forwarding alcohol addiction resources to them. You can do this via text or email, but be sure not to use social media as it will likely embarrass them, and make a joke of the situation. Alcohol addiction resources can be found online, and are a great way to subtly let your friend of family member know that they need help.
The Intervention
This may seem a bit stereotypical, and you’ve probably seen this on TV, but holding an intervention for your addicted loved on is a legitimate strategy when it comes to confronting them about their addiction. Keep in mind that interventions are a pretty big deal, so you want to save this as a last resort in most cases. The purpose of an intervention is to not only show your loved one that they need help, but that they have friends and family who will support them through their troubled time.
Get Help for Your Loved One Before It’s Too Late
Seeing a friend of family member suffer from addiction can be painful, especially when you realize that many addictions form because a person is lacking in positive relationships with other. That said, you shouldn’t feel guilty about your loved one’s addiction, or feel pressure to solve their problems on your own. Instead, work on convincing your loved one to seek help in the form of addiction resources, or even a stay at a treatment facility if needed.
Above all, offer your love and support to the addict within reasonable boundaries. It’s almost impossible for a person to overcome addiction on their own, so be there for them when they need it, and hold them accountable if needed, they’ll be glad you did.