According to the website Help Guide, drug addiction is the "repeated and excessive use of chemical substances to achieve the same effect." These substances can include alcohol, prescription medications and illegal street drugs such as heroin or cocaine. While you may feel helpless about the addict in your life, you may be able to help.
Step 1
Set your boundaries. Patrick Meninga, a recovering drug addict and alcoholic and author of "The Spiritual River," states that it is necessary to keep your distance from the addict, no matter how difficult it may be. This allows you to reorganize your life and be an example of how he should be living his.
Meninga recommends explaining to the addict that you love him, but that you do not want him near you or your family while drunk or high. You then need to be consistent, and if he comes to your door, turn him away, no matter how hard it may be.
Step 2
Attend a Nar-Anon meeting. You must help yourself before the addict. Nar-Anon is a free support group developed specifically for the friends and family members of drug addicts. When you attend these, you learn how to cope with your loved one's addiction, gain a better understanding of how addiction works and get support for yourself from the other members who are experiencing the same problems as you.
Step 3
Encourage the addict to go into a rehabilitation program. An addict cannot be forced into rehabilitation; he must make that choice for himself if he is going to be successful. Talk to him in a non-judgmental tone. Encourage him to seek the help he needs while stressing to him how much you love him. You never know when you might inspire him to seek rehabilitation.
Step 4
Cut off the money supply. According to the website Addict in the Family, the worst thing to do is give an addict money when he asks for it. Even if he tells you it's for bills or food, chances are he wants the money to purchase drugs. Instead, drive him to the store and buy his groceries for him, or pay the bill yourself. While you may want to show sympathy, you do not want to provide him cash for his addiction.
Step 5
Help him choose his treatment. When your loved one has decided to seek help, you can support him by helping him choose a treatment program. Whether that be an inpatient treatment facility, outpatient treatment or a half-way house, having your support along the way can mean the difference between his success and failure. You can offer to attend support group meetings with him.
