How to deal with an addicted person?

Talk to a family member or close friend and ask them to hold you accountable. It’s also important to hold yourself accountable, so if you’re tempted to start the habit again, be strict with yourself. Try making a list of all the reasons you’re quitting and putting it up by your bed to remind yourself of everything you’re working towards! The best ways to help a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol may seem counterintuitive, especially for people who struggle with codependent relationships. Some of these methods may seem harsh, but they come from a loving approach with the ultimate goal to help the person overcome their addiction and to help all parties heal.

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  • She has a Master’s degree, undergraduate degrees in English and Sociology, a diploma in Holistic Herbal Therapy, and is trained in mental health first aid, anti-violence work, and peer support work.
  • It’s natural to want someone you care about to stop drinking so heavily.
  • If your body language or facial expressions are seen as negative, it may be more difficult for your loved one to view your concern as genuine or to accept your help.
  • Caring about someone with an alcohol addiction can lead to worry and sleepless nights.
  • We won’t always get it right, but we’ll at least have some basis for our decision-making.
  • That means two out of three people who are recovering from an addiction will likely relapse within their first year of recovery.

There are a number of different treatment options that can be effective, so it is important to consider the options. Think about which approach might be best suited to you and your loved one’s needs and goals. Bear in mind that setting boundaries such as “I can no longer give you money if you continue to use drugs,” is not the same as threatening a person with punishment.

Recovery times

In fact, you may think you’re addicted to that person and you may even experience love addiction withdrawal. Take our free, 5-minute substance abuse self-assessment below if you think you or someone you love might be struggling with substance abuse. The evaluation consists of 11 yes or no questions that are intended to be used as an informational tool to assess the severity and probability of a substance use disorder. The test is free, confidential, and no personal information is needed to receive the result. These strategies will help you cope with the stressors you will likely encounter when helping a friend or family member seek and receive help with an addiction. Being in a relationship with a person who when you love an addict has a substance use disorder is often stressful.

How to deal with an addicted person?

Educate Yourself About Addiction

How to deal with an addicted person?

The first goal is to understand addiction and its potential effects on your household and relationships. For example, if you tell your partner that their drinking negatively affects you, don’t offer to split a bottle of wine with them over dinner. You want to communicate your boundaries effectively with someone with addiction. Harmful beliefs including that people with addiction are selfish, lazy, and destructive are still common. Watch your tone of voice and speak to your loved one without using a blaming or accusatory tone.

How to deal with an addicted person?

How to deal with an addicted person?

Sometimes, people refer to love as “obsessive,” which might make it easy to confuse with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). For example, if you have an anxious attachment style, you might feel like you can’t rely on your partner to consistently meet your needs, which can lead to fear of abandonment. Erotomania is a type of delusion that makes you believe someone is in love with you, even if there’s no evidence to support this belief.

  • Overdependence on a partner or relationship can be a maladaptive, or unproductive, strategy for coping with difficult emotions.
  • I’ve talked before about establishing fair fighting rules, and having rules of engagement for high-conflict situations is similar.
  • Even simple things like talking to a friend, watching a television show, reading a book, or going for a walk can provide a sufficient distraction while you wait for a craving to pass.
  • It’s also important to manage expectations for yourself and other family members.
  • Seek professional help on how to approach your loved one about their substance use so they can get the proper treatment.

There are many online resources that can help families learn about addiction. Most bookstores also offer a wide selection of books about the chemistry of addiction and the science behind addiction treatment. Only a small proportion of people—from 5 to 10 percent—do it with the help of any type of clinical service or facility. Many people choose to free themselves of addiction through the support of peers, in self-help or mutual support groups. Just as there is no one pathway into addiction, there is no one pathway out of it. Armed with compassion, it is possible to hold a calm, respectful conversation with your loved one about your concerns.