Starting a conversation with someone who has an addiction can be difficult. It's important to be direct and honest, and to express your feelings in a calm manner. Let them know how much it hurts and worries you to see them addicted to drugs, and how much you fear for their safety. It's important to understand that addiction is a disease caused by a complex set of genetic, family and psychological factors.
It's not a character flaw or a problem of willpower, and an addict cannot simply “stop abusing substances with their willpower” without doing some kind of work to recover from the effects of addiction. Newer medications can help people overcome the worst situations of withdrawal, and many rehabilitation centers constantly monitor them to ensure that their health is not compromised. Family Drug Help provides support and information to the family and friends of a person with an addiction. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Addiction Professionals Association and its allies is a membership organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of alcoholism, substance abuse and other addictions in LGBTQ+ communities.
Brain scans of addicted and non-addicted people can help prove that addiction is actually a physical and psychological problem. It's helpful to understand what addiction is and isn't, and what it actually means to recover. If the person had excessive alcohol consumption and feels sorry for their behavior the next day, this is a good time to talk about their behavior in the context of addiction and seek help. After an intervention meeting, if the addict agrees to undergo treatment, it is essential that the group be willing and able to help the person leave immediately.
Hearing recovery stories from sober addicts can help them see their own story like nothing else. A professional evaluation by a counselor or therapist can help determine if you're dealing with alcohol addiction or what else might be happening with all this stress you're experiencing. At 12 Keys, people who want to recover from drug or alcohol addiction can find a new way to live and be happy despite their addiction.