Drug abuse may hit any member of the family. Still, family members play a critical role in the recovery of substance abuse. If a loved one is struggling with addiction, it might be challenging to find a suitable approach. Questions and doubts may begin to race to your mind because you might not know if your words may heal or cause further damage. Here are six tips to help heal family members after drug abuse:

Learn About the Addiction

As per Drug Abuse Statistics, there are over 18 million Americans with substance abuse disorder in 2017. Many researchers are on the constant lookout for causes, effects, and solutions to help people heal from drug abuse.

Education helps families to stop pointing fingers at each other. Household members and relatives can help quell the flame burning the addictive thoughts. As a result, feelings of weakness, stubbornness, and sadness may leave the patient’s mind.

Check online resources about drug addiction. Read up on relevant material as much as you can. Learn how to emanate compassion instead of playing the blame game. Once you know the possible causes of the drug addiction experienced by a family member, you now have a better knowledge of how to approach the situation.

Know the Signs of Drug Abuse

Many people are capable of keeping secrets. Family members may keep skeletons inside their closets (so to speak) regardless of the level of closeness. Addiction may drive the patient to suppress any painful emotions. Even if the individual is undergoing rehabilitation, harmful behaviors and addictive thoughts may still enter the mind. If the conviction of your loved one is weak at the moment, then these habits and ideas may cause a relapse.

Thus, it’s essential to know the signs of drug abuse. Knowing the symptoms may help you uncover hidden truths wherein the patient might be too shy or scared to reveal their destructive nature.

These signs may include:

• Poor grooming
• Pale, cold skin
• Tremors of unknown origin
• Wearing dark glasses indoors
• Irritability
• Social isolation
• Sudden mood swings
• Poor work performance
• Anxiety
• Paranoia

Remember, each drug addiction patient may experience various symptoms. However, it’s important to note any radical changes in their normal behavior to see the signs of possible drug abuse.

Intervene

If you see a loved one struggling with a drug addiction treatment program, it may be time to intervene. An intervention takes place with a carefully planned process. Think of an intervention plan even before a relapse occurs. In doing so, you’ll know what to do if the event happens.

If you need help in recognizing drug abuse or relapse symptoms, consider seeking the help of other people. Doctors, professionals, and other family members may help with the cause.

As the intervention takes place, let all the people concerned gather in one area. Make sure the patient is as comfortable as possible so they won’t feel attacked or isolated. During the confrontation, people should:

• Provide examples of destructive behaviors and potential adverse effects.
• Offer clear goals and guidelines to help the patient recover from the addiction.
• Give each person specific roles, especially if the patient refuses the treatment. 

Proper Communication

Many drug abuse patients like to isolate themselves from the outside world. The extreme individualistic nature may cause further mental and physical harm. As a result, it may cause a relapse of the addiction.

Communication during the crucial healing process is vital to the success of the treatment. Communicate through all the means you can muster. Family members may talk to the patient personally. Otherwise, use technology to your advantage.

For example, if the patient is in a distant location, you can use technology to bridge the gap. Texts, calls, emails, and instant messaging apps are a few examples you can use. Also, don’t forget to communicate with other family members during this time. Send motivational messages through these tech channels whenever you can to promote a healthy mind.

Work together for a positive outlook on the patient’s drug addiction treatment. It might be difficult for the individual to go through this journey alone. Be there for your loved ones during their drug abuse treatment to know you’re always there for them.

Leave the Patient Alone

This tip may sound counter-intuitive to the last advice, but family members don’t have to be excessive with the doting. Different drug abuse patients undergoing healing may have various needs during treatment. Specific individuals might feel constricted with every household member trying to help.

Instead, give the person a bit of space when needed. Don’t forget to put trust in the patient. After all, trust is an essential element for a healthy family. Distrust may become a catalyst for families to fall apart. Don’t let this negative factor become the rift that may break communication between family members, especially when there’s a person in the household who went through drug abuse.

Another option is to recommend exercises that help clear the mind. Meditation and yoga are great examples in this regard.

Know the Treatment Options

Always remember that help is still available. If the person is struggling in their journey in becoming drug-free, people will be there to lend a helping hand. Different treatment options exist to help the patient deal with previous drug addiction. Layout the options so as not to make the person feel like they don’t have a choice.

A few examples of the available treatment options are:

• At-home medical detoxification
• Inpatient rehabilitation
• Partial hospitalization
• Outpatient programs
• Housing programs

However, the best treatment option may also come from looking at certain factors. These elements may include:

• The severity of the addiction
• Medical history of the client
• Presence of family members
• Social and work obligations

Consult a drug facility or expert to know more about the different treatment options available. After all, the effects of drugs on the brain may cause the mind and body to function negatively. For families, always remind your loved ones that they’re not alone during this time of healing. For drug abuse patients, the path to full recovery may have multiple challenges. Nonetheless, it’s not an impossible achievement.