How to Talk to a Loved One About Their Addiction

There can be many challenges associated with talking to a loved one about their addiction that could result in the conversation not occurring. However, addressing addiction to a loved one is important because they need a lot of empathy and support during this difficult time. Knowing how to prepare and approach your loved one is crucial to having a beneficial conversation about addiction. They need you during this time because they are likely to express their feelings more freely to someone, they are comfortable with. Once you have this conversation with your loved one, you can get a better understanding of their addiction and how you can further help them during this difficult time. Seeking professional help, like an addiction doctor near you, is an important step in addressing addiction and supporting your loved one on their path to recovery.

Since this is a sensitive conversation that needs to be handled with care, we answered common questions that are asked when determining how to talk to a loved one about their addiction.

How can I prepare to talk about addiction?

Before talking to your loved one, you must keep in mind that this is going to be a conversation, not an argument or one-sided lecture. Here are some ideas to help you keep the conversation positive and productive:

·       If you are not quite sure what addiction is or how it can affect your loved one, you can complete some online research to help prepare for the conversation.

·       Take a moment to decide what you want to talk with your loved one about. It is good to have this information prepared so you can discuss things without forgetting to mention something.

Some discussion points to include in the conversation can be:

·       How addiction impacts the body

·       What emotions your loved one is feeling regarding addiction

·       How seeing them suffering makes you feel

·       Ask them what their plan is for becoming addiction free

Just before the conversation occurs, it is necessary for you to remain calm and approach your loved one with an open mind. This will help you understand their addiction more and be able to provide the greatest amount of support for them.

Where should I talk to my loved one about addiction?

Two location characteristics to keep in mind when deciding where to have this conversation are safety and privacy. You want your loved one to feel safe because it will help them remain comfortable and open to a difficult conversation. Privacy will also add to their feelings of comfort since they will know that anything discussed will not be overheard by others. Sometimes the best location for this conversation is at your home, or your loved one’s if you do not live together. 

What if it is difficult to start the conversation with my loved one about addiction?

Sometimes starting the conversation with your loved one about drug addiction can be challenging. If you find yourself in this position, here are some tips that can help you:

·       Start by expressing your feelings and concerns to your loved one about addiction. This will help them realize that you are there to help them and not lecture them.

·       You can receive assistance from a counselor. They can act as a moderator and guide the conversation. This meeting can occur in the counselor’s office, which can give you and your loved one the same level of safety and privacy.

·       Always remain calm and focus on telling them the truth in a loving and respectful manner.

What is good advice to remember when talking about drug addiction?

As previously mentioned, this will be a conversation that involves both you and your loved one being able to speak freely. Here are the best pieces of advice to remember when having a conversation with your loved one about drug addiction:

·       Remain a good listener.

o   Your loved one will feel vulnerable and possibly nervous during this moment, so it is crucial that you listen to what they have to say. If your loved one does not want to talk to you, or becomes agitated with the conversation, make sure they know that you are here for them and will always be available to talk and listen to them.

·       Have a positive attitude.

o   This will lay the foundation for the entire conversation. A negative attitude can cause the conversation to turn into an argument, which can affect your relationship or prevent them from discussing addiction in the future.

·       Never refer to your loved one as an addict or any other drug-related labels.

o   This can make them feel degraded and could result in negative emotions. Know that their addiction does not define them; it is merely a bump in the road that you can help them overcome.

How can I help my loved one with drug addiction?

After learning how addiction is affecting your loved one and hearing their feelings towards it, you can get a better understanding on how to further help them. You could be a resource for your loved one by assisting them with anything regarding addiction treatment and their recovery process. Depending on what routes to recovery they wish to take, you can help with appointments and offer to drive so your loved one does not miss them. You can also suggest different treatment options including:

·       Inpatient or outpatient rehabilitation

·       Group and one-on-one counseling

·       Suboxone or other medication assisted treatments

If you choose to make suggestions for treatment, make sure you are not pushing these on your loved one. This needs to be a decision they make themselves, because it will improve their chances for successful recovery and a sober future.

Drug Addiction Treatment Can Start with a Meaningful Conversation

Always remember to listen to your loved one so you can provide the best support and assistance to them during this difficult time. They are in need of your love and support and will benefit from this conversation if you approach it in the appropriate manner and remain positive and empathetic. It may be challenging to have this conversation, but it can help change your loved one’s life and give them the strength to overcome their addiction.

For additional information on treatment options, Suboxone doctors near you, and other educational resources, visit www.buprenorphine-doctors.com.