If someone you know is abusing drugs, here are strategies you can employ to help them overcome their addiction while you also take care of yourself. 

• Expect difficulties:

Have realistic expectations. Your loved one might be reluctant to get help because of shame, denial or stigma. If they somehow get into treatment, they might sometimes relapse, some more often than not. Helping an addicted person recover requires a great deal of Patience, support and positivity.

• Build trust:

To build trust, you have to be honest, vulnerable, respectful, give them the benefit of the doubt, show up for meetings and set healthy boundaries. More so, avoid nagging, blaming, yelling, name-calling or exaggerating. 

• Communicate:

A lack of communication breeds misunderstandings, conflicts, mistrusts, and low morale, which might make your loved one spiral into a relapse. More importantly, be a listener, take time to think before speaking, pay attention to nonverbal cues, choose the right time to express your concerns and eliminate distractions. 

• Educate yourself:

Find all the information you can get about causes, symptoms, recovery processes, support groups, warning signs of relapse and so on. There are several online resources to get you started, such as The Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration”.

• Get help for yourself:

Caring for a loved one with an addiction problem can take a mental, emotional and physical toll on you. To be in a position to help, you need to develop stress management strategies and healthy coping habits. You can join support groups such as Al-anon or Naranon, participate in family therapy or get counselling. 

• Identify treatment options

Different treatment options exist depending on the type of addiction, you must find an approach that works for you and your loved one. Treatment options might include; cognitive behavioural therapy, psychotherapy, medications, support groups, rehabilitation centres (inpatient or outpatient) or a combination of these.