If you know anyone who is addicted to drugs, the first thought is to get them help. To reach out to them and save them from the downward spiral that has become their life.
Most of us know someone personally who has been affected by drug addiction. Drug addiction doesn’t discriminate to what your zip code is, what type of job you have, or what your yearly income is – it can strike the poorest families to the most affluent.
If you know anyone who is addicted to drugs, the first thought is to get them help. To reach out to them and save them from the downward spiral that has become their life. You can see the train wreck waiting to happen and you want to stop it. If only it were that simple.
The one thing that we need to understand when approaching a drug addict about their problem is that just because you may know they have a problem, it doesn’t mean that they are going to see and admit that they have a problem. Their life is controlled by their next fix – the drug has become their focus, their mistress, and there is a possibility that they will not be ready to admit they have a problem.
A common mistake is that we tend to think we can help a drug addict stop doing drugs, when in reality, a drug addict isn’t going to stop doing drugs until THEY are ready to admit they have a problem in the first place.
That doesn’t mean that you should sit back and do nothing. Plan an intervention with this person. Get a group of concerned friends and family members together and sit down with the person, express your concerns about their problem. The possibility exists that they will see this as a sort ambush and become defensive or even angry, but express that you care for them and would like to see them get help.
At that point, the person may not be ready to seek help, but the seed has been planted. Over time, continue to express concern and reach out to the person, even if they don’t respond favourably. Remember, their reactions aren’t coming from the person you love, but the drugs and how they have affected this person. Try to avoid giving the person any money or objects that can be sold for drugs, which could be considered enabling, even when you’re just trying to help.
Ultimately, don’t give up, but remember that you can’t stop a person from doing drugs, that’s a decision only they can make, but hopefully through your love and support, they’ll realize their problem and reach out for help and drug rehab.
Nick Hayes is a graduate of the Narconon drug rehab program in 2005. Nick takes much enjoyment in writing, and feels there needs to be more information about drugs and alcohol provided to the people of the world. He believes nobody should have to go through an addiction.
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