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HOW TO TALK TO SOMEONE

ABOUT AN ADDICTION

Source: michaelshouse.com

• Explain behaviors without associating them with drug use• Blame someone else• Turn the conversation away from drug use• Lie• Manipulate

Drug addiction is a condition that affects millions of individuals and their families every day. The devastation that drug addiction leaves in its wake can be felt in relationships, careers and the health of the individual struggling with the disease. Sadly, the majority of people who suffer from a drug addiction will never seek the help they need. Individuals may use these following denial tactics to avoid getting treatment.

HOW TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT AN ADDICTION

• React to concerns about drug use with defiance and argumentative behaviors such as yelling

• React to concerns about drug use with humor• Withdraw from loved ones• Appear to comply

Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:

HOW TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT AN ADDICTION

• Marijuana is the most widely used drug in the United States. Over three-quarters of all drug addicts use, or have used marijuana.

• Every year, more than 20,000 individuals die as a result of illicit drug use.

• In the past 20 years, the number of people living with drug addictions in the United States has increased by 500 percent.

• More than 15 million Americans use illicit drugs each year.

Source: CDC & National Institute on Drug Abuse

More Statistics

HOW TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT AN ADDICTION

• According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, approximately 7 million Americans—2.8% of the U.S. population—abuse prescription pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives.

• One person dies every 19 minutes from prescription drug abuse in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

C O M P A N Y N A M E Source: About Health Addictions

Show you care through your behavior – always act with kindness and compassion. This is the elusive secret ingredient to successful interaction with an addict.

Always be kind to an addict

Listen to an addict at least as much

as you talkAlways be consistent

with an addict

HOW TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT AN ADDICTION

Whether they are a loved one or just an addict you need to communicate with, a person with an addiction is more likely to confide in you about what is really going on for them if you listen without interrupting or criticizing. Even if you do not agree with their behavior, addictions happen for a reason. Research the addiction and try to understand what it is like from an addict's point of view.

Whenever you are with an addict, communicate through your actions as well as your words. Remain consistent in your message, so that they don't misunderstand what it is you want or expect of them. For example, don't say you think your partner has a drinking problem, and then share a bottle of wine over dinner.

Source: About Health Addictions

Let an addict know that you still love or care about them, no matter how severe their addiction. If this is not true or possible, at least that you have their best interests at heart, whether or not they get help. Don't be scared to set limits and follow through to show you aren't simply making empty threats or psychologically punishing the addict.

Let the addict know that you are willing to support them in changing, for example, by coming with them to family or couples counseling.

HOW TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT AN ADDICTION

Show unconditional love or concern

Try to be predictable with an addict

Support an addict’s process of change

Addicts can be very unpredictable in their words and behavior, but setting a good example can help to turn this around. Be predictable in your words and actions whenever you are around an addict -- surprises are stressful, and stress feeds addiction.

Source: About Health Addictions

Let an addict know your

limits

Seek information

Do it the addict's way

Although you should be absolutely clear and firm about what is unacceptable in an addict's behavior Offer to help in ways that they would like, without dictating what must be done. As long as you get the same outcome, and no harm is caused by the addict's own strategy for change, let them do it their way.

Addicts often feel ashamed of their addiction, and fear of being reported to the police or another authority may be one of the biggest obstacles to addicts seeking help. Offer to find and share information on where to get help. If the addict declines, focus instead on getting help for yourself. As well as helping you to cope with the situation, seeing you get help and improving your mood and functioning can be inspiring to the addict, as they see that change is possible.

If an addict seems unwilling to change, and you feel you cannot keep on living with them while they are engaging in their addiction, gently let them know. Counseling can be a good place to do this. As long as an addict does not know how much their behavior bothers you, they have no reason to change.

HOW TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT AN ADDICTION

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