Monday, March 18, 2024

What To Do With An Addict Who Refuses Help

Remain Compassionate And Empathetic

What To Do When An Alcoholic Refuses Help?

For people who dont have an addiction, this may be the hardest part about trying to get through to someone who struggles with substance abuse. Without going through addiction yourself, its incredibly difficult to understand the grip that substances can have on a persons life. As a result, it will be harder to put yourself in their shoes, and you may find yourself wondering why they cant just stop using alcohol. Remind yourself that its never that simple.

Tips For When An Addict Refuses Treatment

Even after the most careful planning, sometimes interventions dont go as hoped. If its not the outcome you expected, you may start to wonder, Can you force someone into rehab? While the short answer is no, there are several steps you can take to ensure you heal after this disappointment. These suggestions may even help your addicted loved one realize their need for rehab:

Understand What You Can And Cant Do When An Alcoholic Refuses Treatment

When you decide to help someone with their addiction, its important to keep in mind what you can do for them and what you cannot. While you may feel the need to admit someone to a rehabilitation or treatment center, you may not be able to do against their will. Depending on the state you live in and the state of their addiction, you may or may not be able to admit them without their consent.

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Consequences Of Waiting Until An Addict Hits Rock Bottom

Waiting for a person struggling with addiction to hit rock bottom before seeking treatment is incredibly dangerous. Sometimes, it can be deadly.

For some people, showing up to work drunk and getting fired may be enough to prompt them to seek help. Taking enough drugs to go into a coma may be the turning point for others. However, for certain people, rock bottom may mean death.

Reaching rock bottom often has devastating and lasting consequences, including issues with finances, relationships, and health.

Additionally, assuming that someone needs to hit a dangerously low point in life before seeking addiction treatment suggests no other factors that may lead to their recovery process.

How To Help A Drug Addict Who Doesnt Want Help Seek Recovery

What to Do if an Alcoholic Refuses Your Help

If you do stage an intervention, be prepared to follow up immediately. Prepare the logistics to make it easy and quick for addicts to begin treatment. This might include providing immediate transportation to a treatment facility.

Another way to coordinate recovery is to consider the financial aspect. Gathering information about health insurance, and looking for availability at a treatment facility can be excellent ways to help a loved one.

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Emerging Trends In Substance Misuse:

  • MethamphetamineIn 2019, NSDUH data show that approximately 2 million people used methamphetamine in the past year. Approximately 1 million people had a methamphetamine use disorder, which was higher than the percentage in 2016, but similar to the percentages in 2015 and 2018. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that overdose death rates involving methamphetamine have quadrupled from 2011 to 2017. Frequent meth use is associated with mood disturbances, hallucinations, and paranoia.
  • CocaineIn 2019, NSDUH data show an estimated 5.5 million people aged 12 or older were past users of cocaine, including about 778,000 users of crack. The CDC reports that overdose deaths involving have increased by one-third from 2016 to 2017. In the short term, cocaine use can result in increased blood pressure, restlessness, and irritability. In the long term, severe medical complications of cocaine use include heart attacks, seizures, and abdominal pain.
  • KratomIn 2019, NSDUH data show that about 825,000 people had used Kratom in the past month. Kratom is a tropical plant that grows naturally in Southeast Asia with leaves that can have psychotropic effects by affecting opioid brain receptors. It is currently unregulated and has risk of abuse and dependence. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that health effects of Kratom can include nausea, itching, seizures, and hallucinations.

Resources:

Listen More Than You Talk

When someone with an addiction confides in you, try to listen without interrupting or criticizing them. Even if you do not agree with their behavior, it’s important to withhold your judgment.

Learn more about addiction from reliable medical sources, and try to understand their point of view.

You should also avoid trying to solve their problems for them. For instance, telling them that they should “quit cold turkey” or that they just have to “pull themselves up by the bootstraps” are unhelpful ways of talking to someone about their addiction.

Also Check: How Long Does It Take For An Addict To Recover

Does Someone You Love Need Addiction Treatment Call Us Right Now

Living with someone who is addicted to drugs or alcohol is very painful and upsetting, especially if they are resistant to getting treatment. If your loved one needs help and you are not having success in getting them there, reach out to us right now. We understand the struggle that comes with addiction and we can help make it easier. So, do not wait.

to learn more about how we can help you and your loved one.

Guardian Iop & Addiction Recovery

Grieving Addict Refuses Help From Her Friend, Watch What Happens Next

Staging an intervention is a good idea if your loved one refuses treatment and is at risk of serious health-related complications or other serious consequences. At Guardian IOP we work closely with several experienced interventionists who we will gladly put you in touch with as soon as you reach out. Our intensive outpatient program serves as a step-down level of care for people who have recently completed residential inpatient treatment, or as a standalone treatment option for people looking to attend treatment while still working or attending school. To learn more about which level of care is right for your loved one, contact us today. Our Treatment Advisors are standing by to answer any additional questions you may have and to help you get started with our simple, straightforward admissions process as soon as you are ready.

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Be Prepared For The Fallout

When your loved one realizes that youre no longer going to ignore his or her addiction, the dynamics of your relationship will change. He or she may make false promises, threats, or emotional appeals to try to convince you to go back to the way things were.

Unless there is a reason to believe your loved one will become physically violent, simply ignore this attempt at manipulation and repeat your instance that seeking treatment is the best way to ensure a brighter future. If feel your safety is being threatened, you need to get law enforcement involved and/or seek assistance from a domestic violence resource center.

Substance Addictions Treated At San Antonio Recovery Center

At San Antonio Recovery Center, we treat a wide variety of substances. No matter what substance youve abused, were ready to help you start your road to recovery. From alcohol to cocaine to prescription drugs, San Antonio Recovery Center has the treatment you need to succeed. Substance addictions treated at San Antonio Recovery Center include but arent limited to:

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What Not To Do If You Want To Help An Addict

Living with an addict can cause stress, frustration, and unhappiness. The experience can deeply affect you. Understandably, your instinct would be to do everything to stop the addiction. You feel pressured to help your loved one. But you don’t have to do everything.

Here’s a list of what NOT to do if you want to help an addict:

Don’t Blame Yourself

Addicted loved ones typically blame their addiction on circumstances or other people around them. Don’t fall for it. If your loved one is a drug addict or an alcoholic, they will abuse the drug or drink alcohol no matter what you say or do. It is not your fault.

Don’t Take it Personally

When a person promises they’ll never drink again but goes back on their word after a while, it’s easy for their loved ones to take the broken promises personally.

It’s tempting to think that if they really love you, they would be true to their words. But remember, an addicted person’s brain chemistry may have changed from substance abuse. It’s the alcohol or the drugs that are making their choices and decisions for them.

Don’t Try to Control it

As a friend or a loved one of an addicted person, it’s natural if you want to try everything to get your loved one to stop taking drugs or drinking alcohol. While you only want what’s best for them, this can actually backfire and cause you more frustration and disappointment.

Don’t Try to Cover it Up

Don’t Accept Unacceptable Behavior

What Do You Do If An Alcoholic Refuses To Go To Rehab

How To Help An Alcoholic Who Refuses To Get Help

If youre the loved one of someone with a drinking problem who wants to intervene, youre probably already considering the worst-case scenario: What do you do if an alcoholic refuses to go to rehab?

Its a valid concern, as the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health indicates: Among the 18.9 million people aged 12 or older in 2019 with in the past year who did not receive treatment at a specialty facility, 95.7 percent did not feel that they needed treatment. Even more disheartening, of the remaining percentage, 3.0 percent felt that they needed treatment but did not make an effort to get treatment.

In other words: According to the survey, conducted by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, only 236,000 people out of almost 19 million agreed that they needed drug and alcohol treatment and made the effort to get it. Needless to say, that can be an emotionally crippling blow to family members who are desperate for the alcoholics in their lives to address their drinking problems.

But just because an alcoholic refuses to go to rehab doesnt mean those who feel its necessary have to simply shrug their shoulders and give up. There are steps that can be taken to raise the bottom, so to speak, and nudge those individuals in the right direction.

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Educate Yourself About Addiction

Before you approach your loved one, take the time to educate yourself about addiction, detox, withdrawal, and various treatment options. The more you know, the better youre able to approach the situation calmly and with confidence. Understanding what the person is going through, at least on an academic level, will help you speak knowledgeably when the time comes to discuss the problem.

Encourage Communication Connection And Community

Connecting to a loved one suffering from alcohol abuse can be a challenge if they are defensive or avoidant. However, it is still worth the effort. Sometimes individuals enduring alcoholism or drug addiction may be isolated, moody, and may need connections from loved ones. Being there to listen and offer support can be a strong method of establishing a connection. Secondly, encouraging open communication if the loved one with alcoholism is willing to express can bridge the gap between misunderstanding and feelings of isolation.

Compassion should be part of the process, being sure to not judge, criticize and control, but listening, connecting and empathizing during communication. Building community through group support whether that includes churches and support groups outside of rehab can act as a strong base for like-minded people to support and uplift those facing addiction.

Also Check: What Is In Alcohol That Makes It Addictive

Learning How To Live With An Addict Is Challenging

There is absolutely nothing fun about learning how to live with an addict who wont get help. It will push you to the brink and force you to second-guess every single decision you make.

But as long as you follow the steps listed here, you and your loved one should both stand a chance in the ongoing fight with addiction. Youll keep the lines of communication with your loved one open and increase the chances of them coming to you for help.

Contact us for more information on getting your loved one the help they need. We offer a state-of-the-art treatment facility that will allow your loved one to recover in peace.

Signs Your Loved One Is An Alcoholic

What To Do When An Addict Does Not Want Help – 24/7 Helpline Call 1(800) 615-1067

Alcoholism is the most severe form of problem drinking. It describes an intense and often uncontrollable desire to drink alcohol.

Those experiencing alcoholism will often place drinking above all other obligations and responsibilities, including work and family. They may also develop a physical tolerance to alcohol or experience withdrawal symptoms if they quit drinking.

It can be challenging to spot the signs of alcoholism, as those suffering from the condition may be secretive about it. They may also become angry if confronted.

The following are signs and symptoms of alcoholism:

  • A lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities
  • Appearing intoxicated more regularly

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When All Else Fails Dont Use Guilt

Its very easy to mix up the thought of an ultimatum, and lecturing or guilting an addicted individual into ceasing their vice usage. Under no circumstances should you attempt to guilt them into quitting their addiction. Phrases like How could you do this to me, or anything that will garner guilt and/or shame from the addict is a surefire no-go.

About Crest View Recovery Center

Crest View Recovery Center is an addiction rehab facility in Asheville, NC. Our treatment center specializes in an innovative form of reality therapy, with access to a variety of quality rehab programs. All programs allow each individual to focus their attention on getting better.

Dont let addiction take over your life. You can learn the skills necessary to overcome addiction issues. Contact us today to discover how the treatment professionals at Crest View Recovery Center can help you.

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How To Cope With Someone Who Refuses Help With Addiction

My story

Anyone who knows me, knows that my Dad is an important person in my life, and I love so many things about him. Unfortunately, my Dad has struggled with addiction throughout his life. He was an alcoholic when I was growing up, but together he and my Mom kept it pretty well hidden from my sister and me. When my Mom passed away, my Dad fell off the wagon pretty hard. He began mixing alcohol and prescription drugs.

This was so painful to watch because he had always done a good job at holding things together for our family. Of course, we let him know that he had help available to him and we would do everything we could to get him that help.

But one day he said something to me that struck me hard. And if you have a loved one who struggles with addiction or mental illness, they may have said something similar to you. My Dad told me that he didnt trust anything as much as the drugs or alcohol to numb the pain he felt.

From hearing my Dad say this to me, I learnt something that I feel is so important to share with you if your loved one doesnt want to get help.

And that is that its not in my control.

How To Be Supportive And Not Condemning

What to do when a loved one refuses help with addiction or ...

Addicts are already surrounded by negativity much of which they have created on their own. While it is understandable to become angry, projecting your anger, depression, or negative emotions at the addicted person will not help them. Furthermore, it is likely to drive them away.

When confronting someone about their addiction, you need to be firm but supportive. Do not let them lie to you, make excuses for their behavior, or promise that they will quit. On the other hand, do not yell at them, blame them for all the current problems, or degrade them. Instead, state the facts and let them know that they have your support. Be encouraging and positive. You are more likely to win someone over.

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Specifically How To Help A Drug Addict Who Doesnt Want Help

Having a strong desire to help a loved one suffering from addiction is only natural. The tips below will allow you to experience the greatest success in encouraging your family member to have the strength to reach out for help.

Many struggling families have found themselves wondering how to help a drug addict who doesnt want help. While you cannot force another individual to submit to professional treatment, there are several steps you can take to encourage proper care in this situation.

Learn As Much As You Can About Their Addiction

If you dont know a lot about the addiction that your loved one is dealing with at the moment, youre likely going to say and do the wrong things when you try to discuss it with them.

For example, there are many parents who will ask their kids why they cant just stop using a drug like heroin. They dont have the slightest clue how difficult it is for those who are addicted to a drug like heroin to get off it.

There are also many teenagers who watch their parents go back to the bottle over and over again due to their alcoholism. And they struggle to understand why they do it. They cant wrap their heads around why mom or dad is drinking again after all the chaos their drinking has caused in the past.

Take the time to read about addiction and what it can do to a person. There are so many books and online resources available to you. Theyll teach you how to live with an addict and how to talk to that addict about their problem.

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