One of the most difficult challenges one can face as a relative or friend is watching someone you love suffer from the devastating effects of addiction. Joblessness, homelessness, irritability, mood swings, and relationship issues: these are just some of the symptoms one who suffers severely from addiction can experience.
How can you find help for a loved one with an addiction?
First of all, determining the severity of the problem is an important diagnostic tool in evaluating an appropriate response to help the suffering alcoholic or addict. Several questionnaires exist online to help you determine the level of care necessary for your loved one with an addiction.
Some questions you may ask:
- Does this person have problems related to drinking legally, financially, professionally, socially?
- Has this person tried to stop drinking on his or her own only to discover that even when he or she tries to, the person cannot stop drinking and/or using drugs?
- Does this person have “blackouts”, or missing pieces of memory, while intoxicated?
- Does this person drink in the morning, at the workplace, or while driving?
- Does this person wish to stop?
If you have answered “yes” to any or all of these, your loved one may very well have a serious problem with his or her drinking and/or drug use.
The second step in approaching an individual is to seek counseling or therapy for yourself before you investigate the proper treatment facility for this individual. Approaching an alcoholic who is not yet ready to stop drinking can be a devastating experience for the one who is trying to help, in which case an intervention may be helpful to all parties concerned.
Once you have approached the alcoholic or addict and he or she has agreed to treatment (as many people will once given the opportunity with compassion from a loved one), it is important to choose the right treatment facility.
Some important questions to ask:
- Location: Should this treatment facility be near the home or is it more desirable for the person to be temporarily relocated from his or her neighboring people and places?
- Treatment Services: Does this facility offer the varied medical, psychological, and behavioral services desired for this particular client? Some clients require additional treatment for dual diagnosis.
- Amenities: Does this facility offer activities enjoyed by the client that will boost his or her self-esteem and social and emotional well-being?
- Staff: Does this treatment program offer state-of-the-art treatment plans on the cutting edge of the wellness industry?
- Cost: Does this particular facility fit within your payment plan?
The road to recovery is not a perfect science. There are many factors, including the client’s involvement, which will turn the recovery process into a successful, transformational journey. In the hands of a loving staff, in a desired location, at a cost that is fair to both client and establishment, the ailing addict can receive some relief and engage in the fulfilling atmosphere of a nurturing recovery community.
