Drug abuse, substance abuse, it's all the same. According to HelpGuide.org, it's the "repeated and excessive use of chemical substances to achieve the same effect." Unfortunately these chemical substances are generally illegal street drugs such as cocaine, marijuana and heroin. As a friend or family member of an addict, you may feel hopeless as you stand by and watch these drugs take control of your loved one. You can help, it's just a matter of doing the right things at the right time.
Step 1
Attend a Nar-Anon meeting. Before you can help the addict in your life, you must first help yourself. Attending an Nar-Anon meeting may help you do this. Nar-Anon is a free support group for friends and family members of drug addicts. Through these meetings you learn how to cope with your loved one's addiction while gaining a better understanding of it along the way.
Step 2
Set boundaries with the addict. Patrick Meninga, a recovering drug addict and alcoholic from Michigan, and author of "The Spiritual River," states that while difficult, keeping your distance from the addict is necessary. It allows you to reclaim your life, allowing you to be an example of how to live. Meninga recommends sitting down with the addict and telling him that while you love him, you do not want him around you when he is drunk or high.
Step 3
Stop giving him money. According to addictinthefamily.org, the worst thing you can do is give your loved one money when he requests it, even if he says it's for bills or food. In many cases, he will take the money to purchase drugs with. If you feel inclined to help him, offer to drive him to the grocery store and purchase the groceries for him. Another option is taking to to the gas or phone company and paying the bill yourself. While you may want to show sympathy, you do not want to provide him cash for his addiction.
Step 4
Offer him advice. Always keep in mind that the addict in your life cannot be forced into rehabilitation; it is a choice he must make on his own if he is going to be successful. This does not mean however, that you cannot offer him periodic advice. When you have moments alone with him, talk with him using a non-judgmental tone. Urge him to seek the help he needs while telling him that you love him and are concerned about him. You never know when one of your conversations may be the spark that lights the flame.
Step 5
Help him choose his course of treatment. Once your loved one has decided to seek help for his addiction, you can help him choose the best course of treatment. Whether that be an inpatient treatment facility, outpatient treatment or a half-way house, standing by his side through his journey may be the difference between success and failure. You can even offer to attend support group meetings with him.
