When you think about it, taking drugs must be a strange pastime for anyone. There are plenty of people who take drugs as a form of recreation or even just because they enjoy the effects that they have on their minds.
However, what is usually just a fun hobby can quickly turn into something more sinister and when this happens, your loved one might find themselves struggling with an addiction to drugs. So if you think your loved one might be developing an addiction to drugs and want to know the best ways to help them through it, read on for advice.
- Know the signs of drug abuse
Before you can even think about helping your loved one with their addiction, you need to be aware of the signs that they have a problem in the first place. The most common substance that people become addicted to is alcohol, with as many as one in five people in the UK having a problem with alcohol.
Other drugs that may cause people to become addicted are heroin, cocaine, prescription opioids, amphetamines, barbiturates, and cannabis. And even if your loved one is addicted to one of these drugs, you may not even notice because the symptoms of substance abuse are often very subtle. With the help of addiction Lexington KY, anyone can overcome these addictions.
- Get professional help
If you’re aware that your loved one is already exhibiting signs of drug abuse, the first thing to do is to get them to see a professional. This doesn’t have to be a doctor or a psychiatrist; it could be a counsellor, a therapist, or even an addiction specialist.
Depending on their situation, they may also want to consider attending a residential drug addiction treatment program. This is a residential program where they’ll stay at the facility for an extended period. This is typically the best option for people who have a serious addiction.
- Offer support and advice
If you know that your loved one is abusing drugs, but you don’t know if they have a serious problem with them, the best thing you can do is offer support and advice. You can do this by interacting with your loved one as much as you can.
By spending time with them, you can keep a close eye on their behavior and can help them if they’re showing signs of drug abuse. If you know that your loved one uses drugs, you can offer support by contacting addiction Lexington KY.
- Be there when they’re ready to change
If you’ve offered your loved one support and advice, and they’ve seen a professional and started to get help, you need to be there for them when they are ready to change. If your loved one has begun to make an effort to break free from their addiction, you need to support them as much as possible.
You can do this by making them feel as comfortable as you can, being patient with them, and helping them in any way that you can. Plus, if your loved one is in residential treatment, you can visit as often as you can.
