Finding substance abuse help for yourself or your loved one can be difficult if you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for. Luckily, treatment centers, like Renaissance Recovery, can provide clients with evidence-based, effective drug and alcohol treatment at an affordable price. At our treatment programs we work with numerous insurance organizations to ensure that anyone who needs help can get it.
If you or a loved one needs help, contact our team today to learn more about getting into treatment.
How to Help Someone with Substance Abuse
SAMHSA’s most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health, NSDUH 2020, shows that 40 million people in the United States have substance use disorder. This is a huge increase in the numbers from NSDUH 2019, due to the effects of the pandemic, and also due to SAMHSA’s shift in methodology, using DSM-5 instead of the superseded DSM-4.
Whatever the reasons, the threat of addiction remains clear and present across the United States.
Fortunately, MAT (medication-assisted treatment) is becoming more readily available and this is a step in the right direction. Virtual therapy is also becoming more commonplace.
Before we look at how you can help yourself if you need addiction treatment, here are six simple ways to guide a loved one grappling with alcohol use disorder or substance use disorder.
1. Listen carefully and without judgment
2. Minimize friction
3. Urge them to join peer support groups
4. Remain reasonable
5. Make accommodating changes in your life
6. Be kind to yourself
1) Listen carefully and without judgment
It’s easy to fall into the trap of pleading and bargaining with your loved one to not use drugs or alcohol.
Instead, show kindness, support, and understanding. Refrain from being angry or judgmental. Now, we understand it can be difficult at times to keep your frustration under control. By remaining calm, at all costs, your loved one is far more likely to open up to you about what they’re feeling.
2) Minimize friction
Family dynamics and relationship issues can bring about conflict. This is only natural. It’s absolutely vital, though, that you learn to prevent conflict from escalating.
Whether your loved one is already in recovery or yet to engage with treatment, if you tend to have a turbulent relationship, seeking help from a licensed family counselor can help you to identify underlying problems and work constructively to come together as a family.
You can expect to:
- Learn to communicate more effectively
- Become more flexible and accommodating
- Enjoy spending quality time together
Things will not be easy when you’re dealing with someone struggling to leave a drink or drugs behind. Just do what you can to minimize friction. You can’t be perfect but you can try your best.
3) Urge them to join peer support groups
While you might feel like you want to be the person your loved one turns to for help, sometimes the closest person is the least suitable to provide support.
If they’re struggling with alcohol use disorder, they would likely benefit from support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous. Research shows that peer support groups play a vital role in a successful recovery.
Your loved one will be able to talk candidly with others who are experiencing the same difficulties. AA members who are maintaining recovery can inspire and encourage those struggling to stay sober.
4) Remain reasonable
Supporting your loved one means you must keep your expectations realistic. It’s common for someone in recovery to relapse, often more than once, before they nail it for good and become sober over the long term.
Relapse might be a normal part of recovery. It’s still hard to accept when you’ve seen your loved one work so hard to detox and stay clean, though.
When you’re dealing with a loved one in recovery, prepare for relapse and remain level-headed if it happens. Encourage your friend or family member to quickly get back on track. View relapse for what it is: a definite possibility but by no means indicative of failure. Keep providing love and encouragement so they know support is there when they need it.
5) Make accommodating changes in your life
Perhaps you’re a social drinker yourself?
Maybe you’re currently taking prescription painkillers like opioids or benzos?
Remove any temptation from your loved one by getting rid of any alcohol or substances in the house.
Encourage your loved one to form new friendships with people who don’t drink or use drugs, especially in the early stages of recovery. If they attend AA or similar peer support groups, there will be plenty of opportunities for them to meet sober friends.
Aim to keep the environment around your loved one as free from stressors and temptations as possible.
6) Be kind to yourself
If you’re helping a loved one addicted to drink or drugs, it’s easy to get sucked into the situation, neglecting your own needs as you become consumed by the needs of your loved one.
Remember: you are not responsible for the addicted person. Your support does not mean you must sacrifice your life.
This is often the most painful aspect of supporting a loved one in recovery. If you find this happening to you, please remind yourself that you are powerless over someone’s addiction. Take the time to practice self-care, too. This can often have a miraculous knock-on effect on your loved one.
You should also consider that your loved one could be feeling guilty for the stress they have caused you. By choosing to live on your terms, you’ll release them from some of this pain. If someone feels good, they are less likely to turn to drugs or alcohol.
You could also think about seeking support from Al-Anon, an organization for the family and loved ones of alcoholics. This support group is completely anonymous and free. You’ll find a supportive and non-judgmental environment that could be just the crutch you need at a tough time.
How to Get Help for Substance Abuse
If you are one of the 40 million people in the US with substance use disorder, there has never been a better time to seek treatment.
One of the unintended benefits of the pandemic was the broadening of access to virtual treatment for substance abuse, removing barriers for those unable to attend a treatment center.
Before we outline how to engage with addiction treatment through various organizations that help with substance abuse, how about virtual rehab?
Online Substance Abuse Help
Virtual rehab allows you to engage with counseling and psychotherapy sessions remotely.
All you’ll need is access to an internet connection and a computer or smart device. You then attend virtual sessions using software like Zoom or Skype.
Whether you have mobility issues, transportation concerns, or you simply don’t have time to commit to face-to-face recovery, most decent treatment centers now offer the option of virtual therapy.
Organizations that Help with Substance Abuse
Many people in recovery find 12-step support groups beneficial. The most common of these are:
- Alcoholics Anonymous
- Narcotics Anonymous
- SMART Recovery
When it comes to addressing the root cause of the issue and also embracing sustained sobriety, most people find rehab beneficial.
While more severe addictions often require a spell in residential rehab, many mild and moderate addictions respond favorably to outpatient treatment.
If you don’t like the idea of heading to inpatient rehab, outpatient treatment is not only less restrictive and more affordable but it is also covered by most health insurance policies.
Through an evidence-based combination of MAT and psychotherapy, with holistic therapies offered alongside, you can build a firm foundation for ongoing sobriety.
Substance Abuse Help Near Me
Recovery from addiction is a protracted affair. It doesn’t happen overnight, and you should expect blips. Never lose hope, though. People successfully recover from substance use disorder every day, even those with serious addictions. Hope, love, and support can be a healing force, even when it might not feel like it. You may feel powerless over your loved one’s addiction, but you are not powerless over their road to recovery.
If it’s you struggling with substance abuse, take charge now and reach out to Renaissance at 866.330.9449
