How to Help a Friend With Addiction
Watching a friend succumbing to a substance use disorder can be very difficult, especially if they are somebody you care about. You can help them through this difficult time in many ways, but in most cases, the best course of action is for them to enter a substance abuse rehab in Orange County. Orange County residents with addiction often require a comprehensive treatment plan that can take weeks or months to complete as they progress through several levels of care as they heal the body, mind, and spirit. Helping your friend find a customizable treatment plan that will work with their unique needs is the best way for them to get healthy and regain their sense of self.
Substance abuse can take a serious toll on a person, not only on their bodies but also on the way they think, on their self-esteem, and on their mental wellness, so a program that integrates different types of therapy, behavioral health, and life skills programs will best set them up for long-term success. It may be difficult to be the person who brings the topic up, but in the end, you will be doing a potentially life-saving service for them.
What to Look for When Choosing a Substance Abuse Rehab
When choosing a substance abuse rehab, Orange County residents have a lot of places to choose from throughout California (and beyond), and it can be hard to decide which is the right place for you. Some of the key features you will want to look for when choosing an addiction treatment center include:
Accreditation and certification – it is important to verify that all doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, and other addiction treatment providers near Orange County have up-to-date credentials and the place you are going is safe, clean, and designed to help you specifically with addiction
An integrated program filled with a wide variety of addiction treatments and therapies in Orange County that will not only help you detoxify the body but also heal the underlying causes of addiction, give you plenty of resources to tap into in the future, and help repair the social and spiritual damage that substance use can cause
Inpatient and outpatient options can be customized to suit your unique needs, as every single patient is an individual with their own medical, psychological, and practical requirements
Aftercare programs or other connections to sober communities, support groups, and 12-step programs. Addiction does not end when someone leaves the Orange County drug rehab center. The chance of relapse is very high for many individuals and continued, long-term support from peers and/or addiction professionals can mitigate that risk
6 Ways a Friend Can Help Someone with Drug or Alcohol Addiction
The following are some ways you can help a person who is dealing with addiction:
- Only speak to them when the situation is neutral and when everybody is sober and ready to have a serious conversation. Plan your talk so it takes place when there is plenty of time to have a discussion without any rush. It should be in a quiet and comfortable location.
- Listen to them as you converse about the topic. It should be a dialogue, so you can also understand their perspective and concerns. Let them know you care about them. Using “I” statements (“I have noticed…” or “I feel…”) will help the person feel less attacked and may help them to understand that their actions are affecting those around them in serious ways. If they insist there is no problem, you can ask them if you could bring the topic up again. You do not need to convince them of anything.
- Make sure you also get help for yourself. The more stable and in control you are within yourself, and the more you understand the impacts of addiction, the better you can help your friend. Their substance use may be affecting you psychologically in ways you have not yet recognized, so make sure you are taking care of your own mental health along with theirs.
- Researching rehab centers and finding out the practical realities of going to rehab for them so that if they decide it is time to go the barrier of choosing a treatment center is lifted from their shoulders. You can find out things like the cost of rehab, whether insurance will cover for them, how long they can expect to be away from home, and other helpful answers by calling the treatment center.
- Keep your expectations reasonable. There will likely not be a big shift in their behavior right away, as this may be the first time they have considered that they may have a problem.
- If the situation seems dire, you may want to coordinate an intervention. The best way to do so is to hire a professional interventionist and plan in advance. Everybody should be there with purpose, know what they are going to say and understand the correct way to speak to a person dealing with addiction. The interventionist will be able to give tips and keep the meeting on track, and may also provide information on substance abuse rehab Orange County folks can utilize.
7 Things Not to Say to Someone Struggling with Alcohol or Drug Addiction Issues
When speaking to a person who has drug and alcohol addiction issues, there are some things that should not be said. You want to help the situation, not make it into a fight or make your friend or loved one feel guilty or upset. Here are a few things that you should try and avoid to someone struggling with addiction:
- Berating the person for having an addiction or starting a fight
- Blaming the person, pointing out their “flaws,” or bringing up topics designed to hurt their feelings
- Giving ultimatums unless you really mean to follow through
- Using “you” statements like “You always …”, an I statement like “I feel…” is much less confrontational
- Calling the person an accusatory label like “drug addict” or “alcoholic”
- Do not allow them to cross your set boundaries, especially when it comes to the safety of your family and home, and your finances
- Speaking to them when they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Call Muse for the Best Substance Abuse Rehab in Orange County
Taking action early to help your friend or loved one may help them avoid heartache, losses, and trauma in the long run. The earlier they confront their substance abuse, the better the long-term prognosis is, not only for their recovery but also for their overall health.
If you have been drinking or using drugs and would like help quitting, or if you have a friend or loved one with a substance use disorder and would like more information on how to help them best, please call us at Muse today at (800) 426-1818.
Muse Treatment is the substance abuse rehab Orange County residents need. We offer integrated treatment plans that utilize the entire spectrum of care, from medical detoxification programs to inpatient and outpatient rehab programs and beyond, with long-term aftercare. Our team of addiction experts is here for you, ready to answer your questions and give you the help you need to get started.
