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Undoubtedly, helping a loved one with addiction issues is difficult. In today’s world, drug addiction is more common than ever. Indeed, too many adults and young people struggle with substance use disorders (SUD). With the increased availability of fentanyl and synthetic opioids, the dangers seem more extreme than ever. Thus, helping a loved one with addiction issues is crucial.

As a provider of SUD Treatment Services with over a half-century of experience, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) understands this challenge. For decades, families have reached out to TTC to access a successful recovery resource. When addiction in the family unit becomes a desperate fight for survival, TTC is present to provide a treatment approach that focuses on the latest cutting-edge medications and strategies.

Helping A Loved One With Addiction – 4 Approaches

There are no easy answers to helping a loved one with addiction. As you have come to experience, substance use disorders are complex and baffling. However, from years of assisting people to recover, TTC knows some practical approaches to helping a loved one with addiction.

1. Communicate Your Concerns and Lead with Compassion

Of course, it is essential to communicate your concerns to a loved one struggling with addiction. However, being judgmental and accusatory is not the way to go if you share such concerns. Instead, by leading with compassion, you open the door to listening. Using “I” statements rather than “you” statements engenders an understanding of how a loved one’s addiction affects you and your family.

1. Start Researching the Problem and Educating Yourself

The more you know about substance use disorders, the better prepared you will be to talk about a loved one’s struggles. Indeed, educating yourself is a huge step in helping a loved one with addiction. To help forward this process, the National Institute on Drug Abuse offers an educational guide for parents and educators. You will find answers to many of the fundamental questions on this page.

1. Establish Boundaries and Protect Your Family

Helping a loved one with addiction issues is a failing proposition if you are not willing to establish healthy boundaries In the throes of a substance use disorder, people are desperate and unpredictable. Indeed, there is a reason why addicts do so much damage to themselves and their families. As a direct result, it is essential to establish healthy boundaries to protect yourself and your family.

1. Access Professional Help and Support

Ultimately, a substance use disorder is called a substance use disorder because addiction is a disease. Moreover, it is a severe disease with a high mortality rate. If your loved one had cancer, would you treat them at home with folk remedies and chicken soup? Of course not! You would get them to a doctor. In the same way, people struggling with addiction need professional help.

As an experienced provider of treatment services for adults and youth, TTC is here to help. With a proven track record of saving lives, we can help your family if you are willing to take the first step and contact us. Please do not wait until it is too late. Instead, take the first step in recovery by contacting us today.