Tip #: Take Care Of Yourself
Focusing on your own life is the most important thing you can do to assist the addict. If you are stressed out due to their issues, in addition to your own, it creates resentment and strain. It makes it difficult to want to help someone who has created so much difficulty in your life. By taking care of yourself through exercising, getting plenty of sleep, socializing and getting support, you may be better able to help your loved one when they are ready to accept the help.
The most important thing to remember is that you arent alone. Many people battle with these issues every day and it is vital to get the resources and support you need.
Should I Call A Hotline Number
Many people struggling with addiction are unaware of the problem. Dependence can happen gradually, and some individuals falsely feel in control of their drug use. You can benefit from the information provided by a drug addiction helpline even if you are not sure whether you have a problem. You may be addicted and not realize the severity of the problem.
Some individuals falsely feel in control of their drug use.
If you suspect a family member is using or addicted to illicit or prescription drugs or other substances, you have more options than you may realize. Someone is available to talk to you and provide assistance any time of the day.
It is never too late to make the call. All of your questions will be answered, and the information you receive could be life-saving.
How To Set Boundariesand Stick To Them
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Don’t Tell Them What To Do
You want to help your loved one with their addiction in any way you can, but you can’t control exactly how they do it. They may have unconventional ways of looking at their addiction, or maybe they’re experimenting with alternative therapies or treatments.
As long as they aren’t causing more harm to themselves or others in the process, you can show them that you respect their way of making positive changes. Rather than dictating what they must do, ask them how you can help.
For instance, saying “Why haven’t you gotten help already?,” or telling them what they “should” and “shouldn’t” do comes across as condescending. You want to avoid putting added pressure on them and instead, be a trusted friend that they feel safe with.
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You should just quit cold turkey. It worked for someone else I know.
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I want you to feel your best. I can help you research treatment centers or therapists if you’d like.
How Many Cup Of Coffee A Day Is Healthy
Up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults. That’s roughly the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two “energy shot” drinks. Keep in mind that the actual caffeine content in beverages varies widely, especially among energy drinks.
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Signs My Friend Is Addiction To Drugs
Step 1 is just to be a careful observer and look for the signs of addiction. Drugs affect the whole of a person so the symptoms stretch across the physical, behavioral and psychological.
While signs may start as barely noticeable, they can morph into impossible to miss red flags quickly:
Physical Signs of Drug Addiction
- Poor coordination
- Significantly changed sleeping patterns, either getting too much or too little
- A general lack of attention for personal hygiene and a broad worsening of physical appearance
- Bizarre smells on body and breath
- A shift in eating habits and sudden weight fluctuation up or down
- Cravings
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms after stopping
Behavioral Signs of Drug Addiction
- Increasingly absent from responsibilities related to school, family, work, etc.
- Diminishing performance at work or school
- Borrowing or even stealing to fund their addiction
- Financial and legal troubles
- A complete inability to cut back on using
- Overly secretive about activities and whereabouts
- Mysterious absences and withdrawing from society
- A change in habits/priorities and increasingly riskier behavior
- Starting to hang with new friends
- Continuing to use drugs despite the troubles theyre obviously creating
Psychological Signs of Drug Addiction
- And overall lack of motivation
- Lethargic
- A noticeable change in personality
- Paranoia
- Depression
The Effects Of Drug Abuse And Addiction On Family And Friends
Witnessing someone you care about battle a substance use disorder can be extremely distressing and take a heavy toll on your own mental and emotional well-being. Whether the drug abuser is a close friend, spouse, parent, child, or other family member, its easy for their addiction to take over your life. It can pile stress upon stress, test your patience, strain your bank balance, and leave you racked by feelings of guilt, shame, anger, fear, frustration, and sadness.
You may worry about where your loved one is at any given time, their risk of overdosing, or the damage theyre doing to their health, future, and home life. You may be in debt from paying their living expenses, the cost of legal troubles resulting from their drug abuse, or from failed attempts at rehab and recovery. You may also be worn down by covering for your loved one at home or work, having to shoulder the responsibilities they neglect, or being unable to devote more time to other family, friends, and interests in your life.
As despairing as you may feel, youre not alone in your struggle. A Pew Research Center survey in 2017 found that nearly half of Americans have a family member or close friend whos been addicted to drugs. Across the Western world, the abuse of prescription pain relievers and tranquillizers has skyrocketed in recent years, creating a public health crisis.
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How Can I Look After Myself While Supporting Someone
Supporting a friend or family member with a drug or alcohol misuse problem can be draining.
Here are some tips to help you look after yourself:
- Look after your physical and mental health by eating well and keeping active.
- Seek support from your own friends and family.
- Contact your GP for advice and support, or one of the organisations listed below.
- Take a break from the person if you need to. Let them know when youll be available again, so they dont feel abandoned.
Effects Of Addiction On Family And Friends
Addiction is a widespread concern in our society, with an estimated 50% of all Americans having a family member or close friend who has struggled with a substance use disorder.9 In fact, more than 1 in 10 children in the United States live with at least 1 adult who has a substance use disorder.10 The impact of substance use on family members can be profound. For example, children who grow up in a home with a caregiver who has substance use disorders are more likely to have social, emotional, academic, or behavioral issues.10 Other consequences in families where one member has a substance use disorder can include poor communication, increased risk of interpersonal violence, and overall impairment of emotional connections.10
When you live with someone who has a substance use disorder, you may engage in unhealthy behavior patterns such as codependency and enabling. Codependency is a pattern of behavior in which you seek to fix others and are unable to state your own needs and wants. If you are a person who displays codependent behaviors, you may value your loyalty to others over your own needs, even when doing so is harmful to you.11 Codependent behavior can result in enabling your loved oneâs substance use, allowing them to carry on without facing consequences for using drugs and/or alcohol.12 An example of enabling behavior is calling your loved oneâs boss and telling them your loved one is sick, when they are actually hung over.
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How Is Heroin Addiction Diagnosed
Diagnosing any kind of substance use disorder, including opioid use disorder, is done by a thorough examination and assessment by a psychiatrist or psychologist. In some states, a licensed drug and alcohol counselor may make the diagnosis.
Typically, a variety of tests are used. These include lab tests like blood or urine tests and a clinical interview.
If you suspect that you or someone you care about has a heroin addiction, talk with a professional. This can include a mental health professional like a licensed drug or alcohol counselor or a social worker, physician, or psychiatrist.
Theres no one cure-all for any drug addiction, including heroin. Rather, there are effective treatments available to help the person into and through recovery. The specific kinds of treatment used usually depend on:
- the individual
is often more effective than just using one.
The two main forms of opioid use disorder treatment are pharmacological and behavioral.
Broaching The Subject: How To Talk To An Addict About Getting Help
All of this is fine for someone who knows they have a problem and are ready to go into rehab. But what about that coworker, friend or relative who is clearly suffering and needs help? How to talk to an addict about getting help is different than talking to someone who is leaving or returning from rehab.
How to talk to an addict about getting help depends on several factors. First, its best if you wait until that person is sober. Drugs and alcohol change how the brain processes information. It can be hard for someone to truly hear what you have to say when their mind is clouded with substances. Wait until the person is sober before broaching the subject.
You may want to wait until the day after some incident has happened to bring up the topic of addiction. For example, if the person went on an extreme drinking binge and they feel sorry for their behavior the next day, thats a good time to bring up their behavior in the context of addiction and getting help. Emotionally, they are more receptive to what you have to say because they already feel badly about what they did. They are also sober now and clear-headed enough to understand your concern.
Keep the conversation focused on the following topics:
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What Is A Drug Abuse Hotline
A drug abuse hotline or helpline is a toll-free number for the specific purpose of providing confidential and anonymous information related to drug and alcohol addiction and treatment. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, you can call an addiction hotline number to receive information on substance use, treatment facilities, and other drug-related topics.4
Treatment options that may be discussed include inpatient and outpatient facilities, depending on the level of care assessed by a healthcare provider. Alcohol and drug addiction hotlines are generally available 24 hours a day and are staffed with caring and knowledgeable individuals who want to help.
The Facts About Addiction And Recovery
Anyone would find it hard to talk about a subject they dont know much about. If youre not into a certain popular television show and everyone around you is talking about the latest episode, youll be at a loss for words not because youre a poor conversationalist or dont care, but simply because you dont have the facts.
The same goes for addiction and recovery. You find it hard to talk to someone about their addiction and recovery because you dont know what theyre going through. Its helpful to understand what addiction is and isnt, and what going through recovery really means.
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Words Matter: The Language Of Addiction
Addiction is a disease. Its important that we use language that frames it as a health issue and shows respect to people with addiction and their families who are impacted. Just like we would with any other disease, like diabetes or asthma.
A person shouldnt be defined or labeled by his or her disease or illness, it is something they have. For example: Instead of calling someone a diabetic, its preferable to use person-first language and say someone with diabetes. The same goes with the word addict.
We have a choice when we communicate. We can use words that perpetuate the negative stigma around substance use words that label people with an addiction in a negative, shameful and judgmental way. Or we can use words that are compassionate, supportive and respectful words that help others understand substance use disorder as the health issue that it is.
The Associated Press took an important step to stop using stigmatizing language toward people struggling with a substance use disorder, recognizing that words have power. We invite you to do the same.
When To Contact A Doctor
Anyone using substances, even socially, should discuss them with a doctor to ensure safe use and monitor for signs or symptoms of addiction.
However, a person with addiction may not be ready or willing to seek professional medical help, regardless of the negative impacts it is having on their health and wellness.
If a person experiences a substance overdose, those around them should seek emergency medical assistance immediately. A person who has recovered from an overdose may want to seek professional help to treat their addiction.
When a person is ready and wants help with their addiction, they may wish to contact a medical professional to discuss options for treatment. These options include rehab, therapy, detox, and medication.
- medical devices to treat withdrawal
- treating related psychological factors, such as depression
- ongoing care to reduce the risk of relapse
Addiction treatment is highly personalized and often requires the support of the individuals community or family.
Treatment can take a long time and may be complicated. Addiction is a chronic condition with a range of psychological and physical effects. Each substance or behavior may require different management techniques.
A person with addiction can find many organizations that may help them. A person can also call a hotline for help with their addiction.
The following organizations can be helpful for a person with addiction:
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What To Call Someone Who Uses Heroin
- Date:
- Boston University School of Medicine
- Summary:
- A first-of-its-kind study has found that people entering treatment for heroin use most often called themselves âaddicts,â but preferred that others called them âpeople who use drugs.â
A first-ever study to ask people who use heroin what they want to be called finds âpeople firstâ language often best, and language suggesting misuse or dependence generally worst.
In the ongoing opioid crisis, many researchers and clinicians now use âperson firstâ terms such as âperson with substance use disorderâ instead of loaded labels like âaddict,â but little research has focused on the language preferences of this population. Now, a first-of-its-kind study by researchers from the Boston University School of Public Health and the University of Massachusetts Medical School , published in the journal Addiction, has found that people entering treatment for heroin use most often called themselves âaddicts,â but preferred that others called them âpeople who use drugs.â
âIn the end, researchers, clinicians, and families should not automatically use the same terms that people who use heroin call themselves, but instead ask about preferences,â says senior study author Dr. Michael Stein, professor and chair of health law, policy & management at BUSPH. âOf course, most people just want to be called by their name.â
Story Source:
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Signs Someone Else Is Addicted:
- Changes in personality and behavior like a lack of motivation, irritability, and agitation
- Bloodshot eyes and frequent bloody noses
- Shakes, tremors, or slurred speech
- Change in their daily routines
- Lack of concern for personal hygiene
- Unusual need for money financial problems
- Changes in friends and activities
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Understanding Why Your Loved One Doesnt Want To Go To Rehab
Even though Canada suffers from a strong prevalence of drug abuse, only 1 in 10 people suffering from addiction seek out some form of treatment. The stats are unfortunate since there are many resources for individuals to take advantage of. This includes online information, inpatient rehabilitation, and help phone lines.
Many individuals choose not to admit themselves to rehabilitation for a number of personal reasons. Whether these reasons are acceptable or not, they are often the things that stop people from getting the help they so desperately need.
If someone you know requires rehabilitation but refuses to attend, it may be hard to understand. However, the following are 5 reasons people dont go to rehab, to help you get a better grasp on the potential underlying issues.
Are There Drug Overdose Hotlines
If you are seeking a drug overdose helpline, immediately call 9-1-1 or the National Poison Control Center at
The National Poison Control Center is a confidential, national resource that can assist with alcohol or drug overdose situations. Please note, a drug overdose hotline is not equipped to provide immediate medical assistance.
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