Is My Loved One On Drugs? Find Out If a Loved One Is Struggling with Addiction
Have you ever found yourself wondering, “Is my loved one on drugs?” Having this thought can be scary and you might worry that your loved one is not only abusing drugs but suffering from an addiction to drugs. The best way to deal with the issue is by first determining if there is actually anything going on with your loved one. It helps to have some tips on what the symptoms and signs of drug addiction are, how to approach your loved one in concern of their potential drug use, and what you can do to help your loved one.
Tips to Help Determine If a Loved One Is Struggling with Addiction
Stop wondering, “Is my loved one on drugs?” and start figuring out if your loved one needs help for addiction by following these tips.
1. Know the Symptoms and Signs of Drug Abuse & Drug Addiction
There are a number of different signs of both drug abuse and drug addiction, including your loved one experiencing extreme mood changes, weight loss or gain, loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable to them, legal trouble related to substances or driving under the influence, insomnia or oversleeping, and changes in appearance like red eyes, dilated or pinpointed pupils, lack of hygiene, etc. In addition to this, some behavioral signs of drug use can include hiding belongings, avoiding contact with you and others, staying out later than normal, lying about where they have been, etc.
But how do you tell the difference between drug abuse and drug addiction? If you have suspicion that your loved one is abusing drugs, then it may have been as a result of a few nights that they acted unusual. It’s important to note that drug use and abuse can easily become drug addiction. It’s also critical to realize that both drug abusers and addicts can hide their use, so it may be more going on than what you are able to see or suspect. If you are a loved one who is concerned about any type of drug use, then you should want to learn more about it and determine if your loved one needs help.
2. Do Your Research on Addiction & Treatment for Drug Addiction
When questioning, “Is my loved one on drugs?” it is important to have an understanding on what addiction actually is. If you have no knowledge about drugs, drug use, or drug addiction, then now is the time to get educated on what you and your loved one may be up against.
The reality is that addiction is a disease, but there is treatment available, which can significantly help your loved one begin the process of recovery. While looking into what an addiction is and what it means for both you and your loved one, you may find it helpful to research some local and widespread resources for addiction help, outpatient programs, and inpatient drug rehab centers.
3. Create a Plan for Approaching Your Loved One About the Issue & Voice Your Concerns
After continuing to see your loved one display odd behavior and researching addiction, you may feel almost certain that your loved one is struggling with drug use. The next best course of action to take in this situation is by confronting your loved one about your suspicions and hosting an intervention.
Plan this discussion ahead of time, so that you are prepared with what to say and how you suspect your loved one might respond. You may want to have other loved ones with you during the discussion, or you may feel that it is best to have a one-on-one intervention. Either way, prepare for how you will address the issue and speak with your loved one.
Make sure your statements come from a place of concern and love, rather than anger and judgment. The way you approach your loved one can play a role in their desire to seek treatment, so be cautious with your delivery but also understand that it is in no way your fault if your loved one denies having a problem or rejects help.
4. Encourage Your Loved One to Seek Treatment for Addiction & Let Them Know Some Options
When talking to your loved one about them struggling with drug abuse or drug addiction, it is critical to not only bring up the problem at hand but to also provide a solution. Having a list of addiction resources and treatment options like a medical detox center and inpatient drug rehab center can be a great transition from the issue to the solution.
Let your loved one know that you want to help them and that seeking help for their drug use and addiction is the best option for them.
5. Be Supportive of Your Loved One’s Recovery & Do Not Enable Their Drug Use If They Refuse Help
However your loved one responds to you voicing your concerns about their drug abuse or addiction, it is important to continue letting them know that you want to support their recovery. If they reject the idea of seeking help for addiction at a drug treatment center, then you may need to take action, such as no longer paying for their rent, bailing them out of trouble, or lending them money. These actions can be considered enabling to their addiction and/or use. By no longer helping your loved ones in these enabling ways, you may help them be able to experience the consequences of addiction or see the reality of the situation, both of which can push them to eventually seek help for their drug addiction.
Importance of Addiction Treatment
Struggling with addiction is never easy, and recovering from addiction isn’t either. You can’t just expect your loved one to “just stop” using after you have confronted them. You may even want to prepare yourself in the event that they deny being addicted to drugs or ever using drugs at all. Your loved one may make you doubt yourself and your suspicions, but the reality is that denial and manipulation are just characteristics of someone who is struggling with addiction.
The truth is that addiction is a disease and, like any other illness, it requires treatment. You can let your loved one know this, but the unfortunate reality is that you can only do so much. Your loved one has to be willing to receive the help they desperately need.
Fortunately, there are actions you can take, such as not enabling their use or behaviors, cutting them off financially, or creating some distances so that they can hit their bottom. Above all, it is imperative that you let your loved one know that you are in support of them getting help and recovering from addiction. It’s never easy to watch a loved one when they may be dealing with addiction, but focus on what you can do and try your best to do the next right thing in the situation, which would be helping them as much as you can in your power without enabling their use or negative behaviors.
If a loved one, or even you, might be struggling with addiction, now is the time to get your life back on track by seeking help for drug addiction. The Watershed Addiction Treatment Programs in Florida and Texas has been helping both addicts and alcoholics begin recovery since 1998. With over 55,000 patients helped, The Watershed has been able to restore many lives and families. With our full continuum of care from medical detox and inpatient rehab all the way to outpatient programs and sober living, patients are able to work on healing themselves from the inside and out.
Don’t hesitate to call The Watershed and ask for help. Call The Watershed now at 1-800-861-1768.
Tags: Addiction, drug abuse, drug addiction, Drug Use, signs of abuse