Guide to Helping Your Loved One Accept and Discover ADDICTION RECOVERY

Transcription

1 Guide to Helping Your Loved One Accept and Discover ADDICTION RECOVERY

2 2 More than 22 million people over age 12 were classified with substance dependence or abuse between 2012 and 2013, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 1 Addiction is a disease faced by people all over the country, and it s something that can devastate not only the abuser s life, but the lives of their loved ones, as well. Addiction recovery is essential. If your loved one abuses drugs or alcohol, you may be unsure or hesitant about what to do or how you can help. You may clearly see the warning signs. It s important to know you can make a difference, and it starts with understanding addiction and it s warning signs. From there, you can learn what steps to take to help your loved one accept and embrace addiction recovery. The goal of this guide is to help you know what to look for, what to say, and how to help your family member or friend who may be facing addiction. They need you. Read on for a simple breakdown of the steps you can take to help your loved one get back on the right track. Understanding Addiction The Three Aspects of Addiction Addiction is not solely a physical occurrence. It s also mental and spiritual. Addiction is a diseatse that can impact every aspect of life. Understanding how addiction affects these three areas of life can help you better understand what your loved one is going through. Physical. When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, there is a physical, compulsive need to use the substance. In addition, there is also an inherent inability to stop using the substance once use has started. It s usually not possible to stop use from simple willpower, because the physical hold is too strong. Mental. The mental aspect of addiction involves the obsession the uncontrollable desire to use the substance that destroys day-to-day life. Addiction and withdrawal distort the rational thought process, making it difficult to live normally. Spiritual. The spiritual side of addiction has to do with the user s total self-centeredness. A person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol typically has more spiritual defects (intolerance, selfishness, pride) than character assets (tolerance, humility, service to others). 1 Results from the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Summary of National Findings. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

3 3 Signs and Symptoms of Addiction: A Checklist You may be suspecting your loved one has an addiction problem, but how do you know for sure? If you don t know, understanding the signs and symptoms of addiction can help. If your loved one exhibits the following common warning signs, they may have an addiction problem: 2 1. Repeatedly putting off responsibilities. Is your loved one constantly neglecting daily responsibilities, whether at home, school or work? Examples include neglecting to spend time with their children or skipping out on work. These actions impact social, personal and work commitments and can lead to devastating consequences. 2. Using to de-stress. Many addiction problems start when people use the drugs or alcohol to get away from the stress of life. This may result in more frequent use to de-stress, for example after a hard day at work, or after an argument with a spouse. 3. Legal problems due to substance use. Is your loved one facing more legal problems than usual, such as getting arrested for fights, drunk and disorderly conduct, or domestic disputes? These activities can be dangerous and life-altering for your loved one and can have serious, long-term implications for yourself. 4. Using during dangerous situations. Using drugs or alcohol in situations that can be particularly dangerous is another sign of addiction. For example, drinking and driving or mixing alcohol with other prescription medications can be harmful to your loved one and even others. 5. Continued use despite negative outcomes. Is your loved one aware of the negative consequences that come from drug or alcohol use, yet they continue to use? For example, addiction can negatively affect relationships by causing problems and pushing people apart. This could indicate an addiction problem that is out of their control. 6. Desire to stop, but can t. If your loved one knows and understands the negative outcomes of alcohol or drug use, and they want to stop, but they physically and mentally can t, there may be a problem that needs addressed through carefully planned addiction treatment. 7. Loss of control. Drinking or using more and more often, in higher amounts than originally planned, longer than intended can all be signs that your loved one is addicted. 2 Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol Abuse. National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependencies, Inc.

4 4 7 Tips for Convincing Your Loved One to Decide to Change Often the hardest part of addiction recovery is making the decision to accept the need for change. As a loved one of a person who may be facing addiction, convincing your loved one of this is a difficult task. While it is ultimately your loved one s decision, these tips might allow you to help them get there: Sit down with your loved one and list out the costs and benefits of continued drug use. Discuss with your loved one the pros and cons of quitting. Be open about how you feel about his or her drug use, but remain patient and calm. Ask your loved one if there is anything preventing them from changing. How can you help them get over those hurdles? Ask your loved one how his or her drug use affects things most important to them, such as partners, kids, careers and health. Remind your loved one of the benefits and positive outcomes that can result from change. Be supportive. How to Help Your Loved One Find the Right Addiction Treatment Center If your loved one has accepted the need for change, congratulations. Half the battle is won. The next step is to help your loved one choose the addiction treatment provider that best fits their needs mentally, physically and spiritually. Continue reading for further guidance in this area. Top 10 Questions to Ask Every Treatment Provider Every addiction treatment center is different and every person with addiction needs something different for recovery. For example, if your loved one needs an individualized, custom approach, does the treatment center you re considering offer it? It s important to know what to ask when researching addiction treatment providers. When speaking to a representative from a treatment center or visiting an addiction recovery provider, here are the questions you should ask: 1. Does this treatment center treat addiction as a chronic disease? Does the program strive for continuity of care? 2. Are the addiction treatment center s programs accredited? 3. What is the facility atmosphere like? Will my loved one feel safe here?

5 5 4. Is the facility able to assess and treat comorbidities, such as mental health disorders, in addition to substance abuse? 5. What are the credentials and experience of the professionals at the treatment center? 6. How much will the treatment cost? Can the cost be covered by insurance or a non-reimbursed medical plan? If not, is there a financial aid option? 7. What kind of treatment options does the program offer outpatient, inpatient, residential or shortstay? 8. How is the family involved in the decisions, treatment process and recovery phase? 9. Is the program geared towards the participant s age, gender, profession, or severity of the addiction? 10. What approaches does the facility take in regards to relapse education and prevention; individual, family or group therapy; detoxification; cognitive-behavioral therapies; or endorsement or inclusion of 12-step programs? Understanding Program Types Many treatment centers offer a variety of programs for different target audiences, but some features of programs are, for the most part, the same. Let s explore some of the most common program types and features below. Outpatient vs. Inpatient. Outpatient treatment is an ideal option for individuals who live near the treatment facility and can be either partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient treatment. Partial hospitalization is also known as Day Treatment and usually lasts about seven hours per day. The patient either resides at home or in recovery residences with apartment-like settings. These residences usually have monitors and a group of other individuals who are also in outpatient treatment programs. Intensive outpatient, on the other hand, usually lasts about three hours per day. The patient typically resides at home and continues to work or attend school while in treatment. On the other end of the spectrum is inpatient treatment. This treatment is usually only used for detoxification (the process of removing toxic substances from the body). This type of treatment literally means the patient stays in a hospital-like setting and does not leave the facility until treatment is complete.* *Note: Talbott Recovery does not offer inpatient treatment. However, should this level of care be necessary, inpatient treatment is offered at our sister facility, Anchor Hospital, located next door to our main campus in Atlanta. Prescription Drug Abuse Treatment vs. Substance Abuse Treatment. Treatment for prescription drug abuse focuses on abuse of medications prescribed by a doctor, such as opioids (painkillers such as Vicodin), depressants (Xanax, Lunesta), stimulants (Ritalin,

6 6 Adderall) and others. Substance abuse treatment focuses on treating addiction to alcohol, illicit drugs and other addictive disorders. Young Adult vs. Adult Programs. Some facilities base programs on the age of the participant to provide more focused treatment. For example, a campus might offer a young adult program for adults between ages 18 to 25 and adult programs to target participants over age 25. Individual vs. Family Therapy. A program participant may receive focused, individual therapy during their treatment program. Another option offered by many addiction treatment centers is family therapy, which provides patients and their loved ones with support and education about addiction. 4 Steps to Helping Your Loved One s Recovery Last A major concern among family and friends of loved ones who seek addiction recovery is: Will the recovery last? Or will my loved one simply fall back into their old ways once treatment ends? These are understandable thoughts to consider. The goal of a proper addiction treatment program is to provide lasting recovery so the participants and their loved ones can get back to a normal, happy and healthy life. If you re wondering what you can do to help your loved one stick to his or her recovery once treatment has been completed, keep these four tips in mind: 1. Be a support system. It doesn t matter if treatment has finished or not, you should remain supportive of the influential physical, mental and spiritual changes your loved one has accomplished through addiction treatment. Make your loved one feel accepted so they know it is okay to reach out to you and lean on you for support. 2. Offer healthy alternatives for coping with stress. Everyone encounters stress. To avoid relapsing during stressful periods of life, help your loved one find other healthy options to de-stress, such as taking yoga or meditation classes, going for walks, writing in a journal, taking a break with a nap or massage, playing with a pet, or listening to calming music. 3. Understand their triggers. If you know what triggers your loved one s addiction, you will be better suited to help them avoid those triggers. Some common triggers include negative emotional states (anger, sadness), physical discomfort, social pressures to use, conflict with others, and even good times with others (such as having fun with family and friends). 4. Help establish healthy distractions. Good distractions can help your loved one forget about the temptation to use again. Spend time with your loved one and help them find new hobbies and goals to focus on. Try out new forms of exercise together or take up a volunteering activity that gives your loved one an increased sense of purpose.

7 7 While the road ahead might seem tough, and things may seem difficult now, addiction recovery can be accomplished. You have the power to do your part to help your loved one get back on track. Continue to do what you re doing to be the support system in their life. Your help might make all the difference. About Talbott Recovery Talbott Recovery is a premier behavioral healthcare system that provides quality addiction treatment services in the Atlanta, Georgia area. With locations in Atlanta and nearby Dunwoody and Columbus, GA, Talbott professionals work with participants and their loved ones to find the right treatment program for their unique needs. The addiction treatment center also provides the tools needed for success long after treatment has ended. Learn more about Talbott Recovery by visiting or call today.