Who Can Help Our Family Members Get Treatment?

If you have a family member who struggles with addiction, substance abuse can influence your relationship mentally, physically, and financially. As much as you dislike their actions and behaviors and long for them to change, it can be challenging to interact appropriately without enabling or exhibiting codependency.

Codependency is a pattern of interactions to try and help the individual manage their addiction while simultaneously enabling them to keep using. It is unbearable watching those we love fade away before our eyes from the disease. How can we stop fueling the fire of addiction and help our family members?

Family Helping Family

Family members can significantly influence their addicted loved one to enter and remain in treatment. A family member's participation in a treatment program can improve and prolong treatment benefits.

When a family member displays signs of addiction, starting the conversation about treatment is critical. Express your concern and ensure they know you will support them through their recovery journey. Often addicts want to stop but lack the resources and support to commit to change.

Remember that what works for one person may not work for someone else. It is hard to know which treatment program is the right one. Finding a treatment center tailored to your family member’s needs can motivate and encourage them to overcome their addiction.

The Dos and Don'ts of Helping a Loved One Find Treatment

Once you have recognized that your family member is exhibiting signs of addiction, the next step is to find a treatment center appropriate for their individual needs. It is essential to know how to talk to and treat your loved one with a positive and supportive approach.

As you continue to put in the effort to talk to your family member in need of help, remember these essential aspects during your conversations:

• Don’t try to talk when they are under the influence.
• Do protect yourself and others around you from physical harm.
• Do call the police if there is violence.
• Do set boundaries that will protect your home, finances, and relationships.

Expecting or anticipating a family member to ask for help is precarious. Without treatment, family members can experience negative consequences from their substance abuse, such as arrests, medical emergencies, loss of job, public embarrassment, and even death.

Fortunately, if we cannot convince our family members to seek treatment, there is a probability that their employer or even physician can be of assistance.

Employers Helping in the Workplace

When family members have done all they can to help their loved one addicted to substances, the person’s workplace could cultivate a desire to seek help. For example, workplaces that use a therapeutic atmosphere have proven to help individuals who struggle with addiction. Some may feel vulnerable, but they can attempt new coping skills in the trusted therapeutic environment without feeling self-conscious.

Therapeutic work environments require that the individual establishes abstinence to promote a life without substance abuse. Those who are successful at work in a therapeutic atmosphere have developed enhanced job skills, promptness, and other appropriate behaviors required to continue employment.

In addition, many workplaces promote Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) that offer short-term counseling and assistance in networking employees with drug or alcohol problems to local treatment resources, including peer support groups.

How Physicians Help Find Treatment

Physicians can help our family members find treatment for their addiction by understanding substance abuse treatment programs and familiarity with available local available.

Furthermore, the primary care physician is accountable for individuals who refuse to accept a referral to treatment or stop before completion. Refusing treatment is common for addicts, especially if they deny their disease. If this occurs, the physician should:

• Continue treating any medical problems, including those related to continuing substance abuse.
• Repeat the primary diagnosis and refer the client for specialized treatment. If they do not accept the initial referral, the physician should seek acceptable and appropriate options.
• Motivate family members or friends to partake in Al-Anon, Alateen, Adult Children of Alcoholics, or other peer support groups that provide information about substance use disorder (SUD) and how to avoid enabling actions.
• Practice caution in prescribing medications for anxiety and insomnia because they may intensify prolonged abuse.

A 2021 survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Quest Diagnostics with the Partnership to End Addiction reported that 80% of physicians worry that some clients are at an increased risk for SUD, and 88% believe definitive drug testing is necessary for preventing drug abuse.

How to Find Treatment

It can feel overwhelming when searching for help with SUD, especially for a family member. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers the behavioral health treatment services locator to help find mental health services. In addition, you can find helpful information about treatment facilities that provide specialty care by using SAMHSA’s substance use treatment locator.

Seeking addiction treatment is one of the most meaningful decisions you will ever make. If you or a loved one struggles with alcohol or drug addiction, we are here to help. Present Moments Recovery in San Diego, California, provides an individualized and comprehensive approach to addiction, with many levels of care to work towards a successful recovery. From detoxification to outpatient programs and aftercare, we can help you form a firm foundation for your sobriety. At our family-run treatment center, you will talk with therapists one-on-one, ensuring that all your needs are satisfied. We focus on extended treatment that is less intensive to promote long-term sobriety. We provide a calming and home-like environment where you can finally heal. Present Moments Recovery believes recovery only happens in the present moment. Call us today and learn more about our services at (619) 363-4767.