Helping Someone with a Drug Addiction
There are over 26 million individuals in the United States living with a drug addiction, yet according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) only about two million of these people will be admitted into a proper drug treatment program.
That means only a small percentage of those who need the help of a drug addiction treatment program actually receive it. For those who do not, the results can be devastating and may include loss of job, financial stability, emotional or physical health and even life.
Individuals who suffer from drug addiction are rarely able to help themselves. There are several reasons for this phenomenon, including the fact that drug addiction is often accompanied by a deep denial about the problem and also that many individuals too far into a "drug haze" to make any rational decisions about their health or well-being.
This puts the burden on friends and family to step forward and get the drug addicted individual the help they so desperately need.
Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction
Before someone can help another person with a drug addiction, they must first confirm that there is indeed a problem. While the signs and symptoms of drug addiction differ according to the substance in question, there are several behaviors that run across almost all of them, including:
- Putting the drug above everything else in the individual's life – including family, friends, career and personal interests.
- A growing tolerance to the drug – so that more and more of it is required over time in order to achieve the same "high".
- An inability to quit using despite a tacit knowledge that it is causing the individual harm.
Talking to Someone about their Drug Addiction
Once the signs and symptoms of drug addiction have been identified, the first logical step is to try and talk to that individual about their problem. This must be handled with sensitivity and kindness. Many drug addicted individuals are likely to become defensive when pressed about the issue – so the message must come from a place of love and support – and always be delivered by close friends and family members.
Interventions and Helping Someone with a Drug Addiction
If talking to the individual about their drug addiction has not produced the desired results, friends and family may wish to attempt a drug intervention. Interventions are a very direct way for those closest to the individual to get them into a drug rehab program.
An intervention is a meeting in which friends, family or even co-workers gather together (without telling the addicted individual about the meeting beforehand) to show the individual in question how their addiction is impacting their life and the life of those around them.
The object of an intervention is to not be confrontational, but rather provide clarity for the individual with the drug problem so that they can get professional help. And in fact, it is strongly advised that someone involved with the intervention research drug rehab facilities beforehand and be prepared to drive the individual to the facility when the intervention is complete.
When individuals are ready to change their lives for the better, Michael's House is there to provide the finest addiction treatment programs available. A drug addiction program unlike any other, Michael's House is located in Palm Springs, California. For more information, contact Michael's House today.
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