Prescription drug addiction is not easy to confront – especially if your loved one is the person abusing substances. Did you know that majority of addicts do not have the intention of becoming addicts in the first place? That’s because certain prescription drugs are inherently addictive.
Here is how to help someone with a prescription drug addiction:
Start a conversation about the subject
Conversations that focus on drug addiction are intimidating but important to have. When starting a conversation about drug addiction with your loved one, do not approach them aggressively or angrily, or lecture them on everything they are doing wrong. Remember, your loved one is a human being who wants to be respected and acknowledged, like everyone else. Just because they have a drug addiction doesn’t make them any less of a person or someone who deserves inferior treatment. Take this opportunity to educate yourself about drug addiction as well besides hearing your loved one’s side of the story.
Encourage them to go into treatment
Encourage, do not command. You can give your loved one all the money and resources in the world, but that doesn’t mean they will go into medically assisted treatment or make an effort to stay sober. Suggest treatment as something that will only be beneficial to their well-being and quality of life. Don’t make them feel guilty or obligated to go. A drug addict should willingly choose to get clean for themselves, not under the pressure of others.
Give the person your support
Support can come in many ways, such as spending time with them doing something fun, or simply being in their presence if they need you or a pillar of support to prevent them from relapsing. Support groups for the family members and friends of drug addicts are also fantastic resources for both you and your loved one. During these groups, you can learn about helpful strategies that will make a rehabilitation treatment process go a lot smoother as well as learn healthy ways to cope during this difficult time.
Inspire their faith
People with drug addictions, often find peace and strength in turning to higher power when seeking freedom. Let’s face it, the drug epidemic is a force of evil and we need God to help us overcome. As a friend or family member of someone imprisoned in addiction, it may be helpful to talk about God’s love to them. Sometimes, drug addiction manifests as a result of roots of rejection and unresolved emotional wounds. Jesus is the Great Healer, and He truly can fix the heart and soul, of any broken soul. Inspire faith in your loved ones, and plant seeds of hope that God has a better plan for their lives, if only they would simply trust Him.
Prescription drug addiction is a serious issue and should always be treated if given the chance. But you must remember that you can never make choices for other people. The best you can do is offer support and love, but a person who is addicted to drugs must ultimately choose to become and stay sober.
About The Author: Trevor McDonald is a freelance writer and recovering addict & alcoholic who’s been clean and sober for over 5 years. Since his recovery began, he has enjoyed using his talent for words to help spread treatment resources, addiction awareness, and general health knowledge. In his free time, you can find him working with recovering addicts or outside enjoying about any type of fitness activity imaginable.
