As a parent, spouse, sibling, or even close friend of a loved one battling substance abuse, you’ve seen the toll addiction can have on someone. You’ve likely seen your loved one unable to fulfill their school, home, or work obligations because of their substance use. They may have become more secretive or suspicious or even gone into debt on account of providing for their addiction.
You know that with the right substance abuse treatment in Tampa, they could be free from their struggles; however, helping a loved one with their addiction is not always as simple as extending a helping hand. Many times, the addicted individual will simply deny their problem or become defensive and isolate themselves. And while there’s no surefire way to steer your loved one down the path to recovery, we’ll review a few of our tips for motivating your family member or friend to seek treatment for substance abuse.
Related: How Substance Use Disorder Affects the Whole Family
Educate Yourself
Perhaps the most important step in motivating your loved one to seek treatment for substance abuse is to first educate yourself on substance use disorders. You’ll have a better understanding of the uphill battle your loved one is facing, physically, mentally, and emotionally, and you’ll be equipped with the appropriate information and tools to assist your loved one in receiving treatment when they decide they are ready for help.
Some starter points to begin your education on the subject include:
- The physical warning signs of substance abuse, such as flushed skin or constricted pupils for opioid addiction
- The behavioral warning signs of substance abuse, such as impulsive decision-making or getting into trouble with the law
- The signs of an overdose
- The appropriate terms and language to communicate your loved one’s condition in an objective and supportive manner
Related: What Are the Warning Signs of Opioid Addiction?
Create an Environment of Support
Being educated on the topic of substance abuse will also enable you to be more aware of the environment you are creating around your addicted loved one. Especially if they’re living with you, you should consider whether your household is contributing to their addiction. If members of your household are drinking alcohol or using drugs, it’s going to be considerably more difficult to encourage your loved one to seek treatment for their substance abuse.
To avoid the potential for unintentionally positively reinforcing their substance use, you can start by establishing specific boundaries for your household. Some common examples of boundaries you can establish include the following:
- No alcohol or drugs allowed in the household
- No household members allowed in the house while intoxicated or under the influence
- No outside friends or family allowed in the house while intoxicated or under the influence
Enlist Professional Help
Finally, you should remember that it is not your sole responsibility for motivating your loved one to seek substance abuse rehab in Tampa. You must take a step back and realize when it’s time to enlist the professional help of a nationally recognized and accredited behavioral healthcare provider specializing in the treatment and prevention of substance use disorders. At Phoenix House Florida, we will begin the treatment with a comprehensive assessment of your loved one’s needs in order to put together a program tailored to their best interests. We offer both inpatient and outpatient care and can accommodate clinical evaluations and admit patients into a treatment program in as little as 24 hours.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, speak with a treatment specialist about substance abuse rehab in Tampa. To schedule a consultation with Phoenix House Florida, please request an appointment today.
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