Do you suspect that someone close to you is an addict? Do you see a family member struggling with alcohol or do you suspect that a friend is struggling with drugs? Addiction is not only a difficult time for the addict, but also for those around them. You would like to help an addict, but what do you do if they are not open to it? Addiction can also pull the family and friends of an addict into a downward spiral. What are the best tips for dealing with an addict?
As someone close to you, you are often prepared to do anything for someone during a difficult time. However, it is very important that the addict does not also start to determine your life. Addiction is often accompanied by health problems, financial problems or problems with social contacts or work. An addict is often a master of manipulation, just to be able to ‘score’ again. It is not your job to solve the consequences of the addiction. Think of solving any debts or helping to ‘score’ a certain drug. In this way, you are not ‘helping’ the addict and you are only perpetuating the addiction. Help must therefore be focused on fighting the addiction, but how do you do that?
Living with an addict: talking without pointing fingers
The best way to help an addict is to talk. Talk about the problems and the possible addiction, but do so when the addict is not under the influence. Pointing fingers and accusations do not help. Show understanding of the situation and try to avoid discussions. Suggest that you seek help together and look for a rehab centre. You can also suggest visiting the family doctor together and looking for possible help from there.
Such a conversation is very uncomfortable and awkward for both parties the first time. It often happens that an addict is still in the denial phase. Therefore, really work on the trust and enter into the conversation more often. Make sure that you do not forget yourself. Your own situation must come first. Therefore, always indicate your limits, because there is a chance that you will be drawn down into a downward spiral. You come first. The addict comes second, however difficult that may sound. Help is provided by talking and seeking professional help, not by maintaining the addiction. Otherwise, the addiction will slowly take over your life. Work towards treatment in an addiction clinic.
Even as a person affected, you are not alone. Professional addiction clinics not only help addicts but also their partners, families and friends. So you too can get help in dealing with the addict. Do you need tips or advice on how to deal with the addict? Just contact a clinic.
In conclusion, the following list of steps should be observed when dealing with an addict:
- Never maintain the addiction
- Make sure that you always indicate your limits
- Talk to the addict and show understanding without pointing fingers
- Work with the addict toward treatment
Dealing with an alcoholic
The above roadmap actually applies to any kind of addiction. This is no different for people who are addicted to alcohol. Think about yourself and talk to the addict. Work towards treatment in an addiction clinic. In any case, make sure that you do not maintain the addiction. Buying alcohol for an addict is out of the question.
Dealing with drug users
Also when dealing with drug addicts, follow the step-by-step list above. Addicts often exert great pressure on their surroundings, even to the point of manipulation. Everything to be able to maintain the addiction at such a time. Therefore, always indicate your limits.
Distancing yourself from an alcoholic
You often hear ‘you’re never alone in having an addiction’. This must seem familiar to people who are close to an addict. Do you feel that talking no longer helps and you have done everything in your power to get help, but the addict remains in denial or absolutely does not want to go on? Does the alcoholic, drug user or someone with another kind of addiction also pull you into a downward spiral?
There comes a time when it may be better to distance yourself from an alcoholic. You can get tips and advice about such a situation at an addiction clinic.
You can also contact an interventionist. An intervention course can therefore also be seen as a last attempt to get help. Does the intervention programme fail? No matter how difficult it is, at some point, it is enough. Distancing yourself from the addict in such a case means choosing for yourself.
