Having someone with an addiction in your life can be stressful and unbalancing, especially if the addiction is to drugs. You love the person will all your heart, and what they are doing to themselves – and to you – is ripping the relationship apart. Part of you will want to sever ties and just walk away. But mostly likely there is another part of you that wants to help them get better. And maybe they themselves are ready for it. They have to enter drug treatment willingly in order for it to work. But once they have made that decision, you can help them along the way so that they will be successful.
Be supportive
Once they decide to seek help, be supportive; whether it’s their first time or they’ve been to several drug treatment centers in the past. Knowing that they have the support of friends and family can go a long way in their treatment.
Ask what you can do
Don’t be scared to ask what you can do to help. Something as small as watering their plants while they are in treatment can help. Or maybe visiting weekly for coffee (if it’s allowed). And if they say they don’t need anything, don’t believe them! Send a surprise care-package with their favourite foods and magazines. Something to let them know you are thinking of them.
Be there when they get out
Staying clean in a rehab centre can be a walk in the park compared to what a recovering addict is faced with once they get back into the real world and their life. Help them to ease back into their life and help them avoid old patterns that could lead to temptation.
Trying to kick a drug addiction can seem like an impossible feat. If you have a friend or family member who is going through it, be as helpful and supportive as you can. Knowing that people still care and love them can go a long way in helping with their recovery.