Drug Addiction has become a big subject among families. This heartless foe makes no distinctions. At any time, any family can become a victim of drug addiction. How do you help a family member who has a drug problem?

What does it mean to be in recovery from drug addiction? Coping with or attempting to manage an addiction is unquestionably a difficult task. In fact, it was one of the most difficult things I have ever done, and I am confident that after reading this article, you will agree that there is only one way to cope with drug addiction, and that is to avoid it because drug addiction is unmanageable.

Addiction makes a person a complete slave because the addicted person no longer has control over anything they say, do, feel, or think. Anyone who has had a serious drug addiction will tell you that during their addiction, they lost control of the things that made life enjoyable, and they did not regain that control until they stopped using the drug. The difficulty is in turning away, which is easier to say than to do.

During my twelve-year crack cocaine addiction, I tried everything in my power to manage it, including advice from friends, family, and others dealing with addiction, but nothing worked for me. If there are 101 ways to manage your addiction, I’ve tried them all.

If you have a family member who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, I hope you find these suggestions helpful.

First and foremost, deal with yourself.

The shock of discovering a drug addict in your family will cause the addiction to immediately begin working to destroy the family bond, starting with you. You won’t be able to help that family member until you can help yourself through the initial shock of their addiction.

My family was taken aback when they discovered I was addicted to crack. They were so taken aback that they distanced themselves from me. Although I was aware that they were aware of my addiction, I believe they were too shocked to approach me.

How you deal with your own emotions will have a direct impact on how you approach that addicted family member, so the first step is to “get over it.” You may not like your husband’s addiction, but it is what it is. Now that you’ve recognised the situation for what it is, proceed to the next step as soon as possible.

Find a happy medium.

Addiction and family have nothing in common. They are on opposite sides of the field. Finding a point of commonality is the only way to ensure that you can communicate with an addict, so don’t waste time looking for it. Begin by looking for something in common with the addicted person and using it as a tool to reclaim their affection. The longer you wait, the harder it will become.

The only way to bridge the gap between understanding and addiction is to reestablish a bond. Being aware of the strange behaviour of the addicted family member is a good place to start. You must recognise that they are not the same person you once knew because their mind and body have undergone chemical changes.

I found that the more I smoked crack, the less time I wanted to spend with my family. The drug had so much control over me that nothing else mattered. Without even realising it, I had erected a fortified barrier that no one could breach.

The fact that I was constantly chastised and mocked for my drug use irritated me more than anything else. I knew I needed help, but the more people told me I was a drug addict, the more I distanced myself from them. So, whatever you do, avoid scolding and be sensitive.

Stop enabling others.

You’ve probably heard the term “tough love.” Tough love is defined as love that will not be compromised or taken advantage of. After you’ve recovered from the initial shock of having a drug addict in the family, you should immediately begin to demonstrate tough love.

If you know your daughter Megan has a drug problem, you should stop giving her money. Although it pains you to see Megan without money, continuing to be her banker will only allow her to continue her addictive behaviour.

Seek professional assistance.

Drug addicts have a unique way of making family and friends feel guilty when it is the addicts who should feel guilty. An addict will go to any length to keep using the substance of their addiction.

Do whatever it takes to persuade that family member to seek professional help. You cannot compel them to make a decision; they must do so on their own.

Typically, an addict will not surrender until they have exhausted all options for continuing to use the substance of their abuse. It’s referred to as “hitting rock bottom.” Such a decision is frequently made after a long and difficult battle with addiction, health issues, starvation, and living arrangements.

Be encouraging.

Once an addicted family member has decided to seek help, do not be afraid to support them in their decision. Addicts have been known to abandon their promise to seek professional help within an hour of making it.

Because they are extremely vulnerable at this point, it is critical that you support their actions. They are terrified, just like little children, but they are also looking forward to being free of the terrible burden of drug addiction.

It took eleven years for me to decide to seek professional help, and another year of ups and downs with drugs before I was finally free. I believe that if the aforementioned elements had not been present in my life, I would have been lost in the sea of drug addiction, where misery never ends.

It took eleven years for me to decide to seek professional help, and another year of ups and downs with drugs before I was finally free. I believe that if the aforementioned elements had not been present in my life, I would have been lost in the sea of drug addiction, where misery never ends.

Just so you know, each battle against addiction is unique, and you should always remember that addiction affects different people in different ways. I encourage you to never give up on that cherished family member because you can win if you are persistent. You can only be defeated if you stop fighting.

Trucare Trust is a leading Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre in Mumbai as well as a Drug Rehabilitation Centre in Mumbai, providing a full range of safe and comprehensive addiction services. Trucare Trust, located in the suburbs of Maharashtra, India, offers a variety of treatments to our clients while also providing them with a peaceful, secure, and serene environment in which to grow.

We recreate the modes of secure therapies and assist those in need by discovering the folds of sobriety linked with various combinations of proven and secure treatment processes.

Believing in the faith and process of recovery, we believe there’s a better day in the future for our clients. Helping and guiding them at every step with best suited and functioning treatment processes, we have faith and trust in our empathetic, resilient and compassionate staff members, making our team one big positive and radiating family, hoping and praying only for the best