When clients reach out for help in recovery, they get supportive resources and a compassionate, caring staff member to help them with their needs. What about after someone leaves the treatment center? What if, as a friend or family member, you have questions about your loved one's care? Luckily, there are many different ways to ask for help with substance use for a friend or family member. Read on to see a few of them.
When people choose to go into recovery for substance use, they need as much support and commitment as possible in their environment to help them uphold their sobriety. Many people are involved in aiding the recovery journey; yet, there are still many individuals afflicted with substance use challenges who find themselves in uncharted territory.
If you are a friend or family member and you are unsure about how to help your loved one who struggles with substance use, you may feel overwhelmed or uncertain about how to reach out and ask your questions.
As a friend or family member, understand that there will be ups and downs in the recovery journey, even before it begins. It is not easy when your loved one struggles with substance use, and it can inflict damage on the relationship in and out of the home. You may find it difficult to even address the substance use, or pass blame or judgment on the person with substance abuse issues. This can cause further damage to the relationship.
Rather than dancing around the issue or avoiding it altogether, there are ways to indirectly and directly ask for help that will address the substance use in their life and help you best support their recovery journey. Asking for help is seldom easy, especially when it causes you to admit there is a problem you may have been ignoring, but it is the first step in healing.
You may be concerned about your loved one not being ready to go into recovery or about there being hostile situations that are difficult to discuss. Sometimes, friends and family members or even those struggling with substance use are prideful and find it difficult to admit that they need help. Though both the recovery process and asking for help will have their ups and downs, it could make all the difference in someone's life.
When an individual asks you for help, really listen to what they need, and appreciate the fact that asking for help was likely a difficult thing for them to do. If you notice that they need help and offer it first, be aware that, because substances can alter cognitive reasoning, it can be challenging for them to accept help or even admit they need it. Give them time and let them know that you are available to them for help whenever they need it. They may come around eventually, provided they feel safe trusting you with their problems.
Taking the leap and being honest with themselves and with others can be hard, so they need to know that you will provide them with a helpful, non-judgmental space to go to. It is important to remember that those who struggle with substance use will likely be fearful of leaping forward. If they have your honest and compassionate support, the leap will be easier and increase the chances of treatment success.
No matter how an individual reaches out for help, finding the proper support is necessary for recovery because it can save their lives. If you are a friend or family member looking to find a way to help your loved one take the leap toward healing, you may not know the best way to discuss substance use with them. In this case, contacting a substance abuse recovery center can give you pointers on starting the conversation and helping them find the best care.
Some additional ways you can communicate with your loved ones are to talk to them over the phone, write them a letter, or send them a text. Sometimes talking without facial expressions and with the ability to think clearly before responding can make the conversation easier and safer.
Many friends and family members choose to go and speak with recovery centers to get guidance on how to communicate the topic. Remember that when you talk with someone who understands recovery, you will get further insights on substances, the vicious cycle, and how healing can begin. Asking for help is not an easy path, but it is vital for all parties involved.
At NorthStar Transitions, we understand that asking for help in recovery for yourself or a loved one is a challenging and overwhelming task. There may be a lot of guilt or shame surrounding the topic, making it difficult to bring up, or even to ask for help. There are many ways you can get the support you deserve while maintaining your pride. Whether it is you who needs help or you need ways to determine how best to help a loved one, NorthStar Transitions can assist you. We would be happy to answer any questions you or your loved one has about treatment and the means of supporting a loved one in treatment. We understand that recovery is a lifelong commitment and taking the first step can be daunting. If you struggle with discussing substance use and need support to get help or get help for your loved one, reach out to us. Call (303) 558-6400.
