Given enough time, drug addiction decimates all aspects of someone’s life. From the physical decline to mental deterioration, dependency takes over the body and mind. It becomes a singular obsession at the price of everything and everyone else.
It’s clearly difficult for the user but addiction has a blast radius too. Which you, their loved one, is squarely inside. Watching someone you care deeply about and love slowly sink further into the ravages of drugs is among the most heart-wrenching things one can witness.
Simply asking them to stop is generally a non-starter because in almost all cases an addict doesn’t think they have a problem at all.
They genuinely can’t see the destruction they’re causing themselves and others which leaves you feeling utterly helpless. Wondering what, if anything, you can do. And that’s normal because at the end of the day we’re just not naturally equipped to deal with an addict.
But knowledge is power and it’s the foundation upon which you can help create a solution.
Signs Your Loved One Is A Drug Addict
First things first, you need to observe and be sure what you’re seeing is an addiction. Of course, each substance has a different effect on a person but there are several general symptoms of addiction that tend to happen across the board.
- Taking ever-increasing amounts of the substance and for longer than intended
- Needing more of the drug to get the same effect also known as building a tolerance
- Spending lots of time getting, taking and/or recovery from the using
- Inability to cut back, even when trying to
- Intense cravings and constant thoughts of using
- Unable to manage responsibilities at work, school and/or home
- Skipping social, recreational and/or work events in favor of drugs
- Strained relationships and finding new friends who use drugs
- Participating in risky or dangerous behavior while under the influence
- Continuing to use while knowing that it’s causing problems
- Stealing or other dangerous or illegal behavior in order to get drugs
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms whenever they attempt to stop
The more you become aware of and take note of these signs, the more you’ll be able to discuss with an interventionist who will use that information to formulate a game plan, so to speak.
How to Plan an Intervention
You can’t force anyone into rehab but you can create and present a compelling case for getting them to finally take that step through an intervention. The question then becomes how to plan an intervention for a drug addict?
You’ll want to begin by consulting with an addiction specialist and work with a professional interventionist to give it the best chance of success. Providing them with as many specific examples of the signs of addiction above is, again, imperative.
Planning is everything and an intervention professional will help you formulate that. You’ll settle on an intervention team, i.e., who is going to participate, the time and place and, crucially, the messaging. Lovingly explaining that their drug use is hurting themselves and you. Describing the emotional, financial, etc. toll it’s taking.
There will need to be ultimatums and consequences for not accepting treatment and you’ll have to decide what those are in advance.
Speaking of treatment, finding the right rehab center for your loved one’s addiction and communicating with them about enrollment before the intervention is essential. The last thing you want is for them to agree to treatment…but you have no idea where to take them.
How Valley Recovery Center Can Help Your Loved One With Addiction
Valley Recovery Center is an all men’s treatment facility that can guide your loved through the entire process. From the moment they commit to beating addiction they can start with detox and transition to an individualized 30, 60 or 90-day residential treatment program that’s tailored to their exact needs and overseen by our psychologists, psychiatrists and counselors.
Reach out to us to find out more about the process of getting from intervention to treatment and how to get your loved one on the road to recovery with us at Valley Recovery Center.
