By Dr. Dalal Akoury Dr. Dalal Akoury June 3, 2015

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: Eliminating the spirit of denial

The spirit of denial is one big problem that we must deal with expeditiously if we have to make any meaningful progress in the fight of drug addiction and alcohol abuse. Dealing with all stumbling blocks in addiction recovery begins and ends with denial. It is very difficult to effectively take a patient who is in denial through the treatment programs because acknowledgement of the problem is one big step in the healing process. In fact it is the first step to be overcome in the process of addiction recovery. Therefore by all means we all have a duty in helping addicts accept their addiction problem for commencement of a meaningful treatment. Nonetheless it is important to note that dealing with addiction problem is not to be left for the medical experts alone. Family members of the addicts has a role in the healing process, it therefore means that this is a collective responsibility for the experts, loved ones and the victims themselves. According to the experts at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, friends and relatives of the victims can do a lot more in helping their loved ones get better. However when faced with such challenges of addiction, many are lost and do not know what to do. Doctor Akoury who is also the founder of this facility is going to help us understand some of the concerns people do have when helping their loved ones recover from drug and alcohol abuse.

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: How Do I Help Someone Understand That He or She Has a Problem?

This question is often very common especially with the rampant denial by the victims. While we are appreciating that this is a genuine concern, it is very crucial that you step in up on noticing signs of substance abuse in your friend. Remember that charity begins at home and therefore friends and family members must brace themselves for the task and we are not promising that it is going to be easy. It is possible that friends and family members may feel that they constantly express concerns about a loved one’s substance use but never see any changes. When evaluating the efforts you have made in trying to bring some changes it may occur to you that you may have reached this point after weeks or months of giving lectures, making threats, ignoring behaviors, accepting promises of change, giving second chances or imposing consequences. But in these entire nothing seems to be working and so discouragement sets in, doctor Akoury says that it is very normal to feel that way but one thing that you must not do is giving up. Remember that this is a journey and not a destination keep the spirit and soldier on the break through is coming and you are almost getting there no matter the circumstances.

In an effort of helping loved ones keep to the task, experts have recommended developing and repeating a consistent, positive message: like for instance the message could read “we care about you and we want you to get help.” Define substance use as a problem for you and others who care about the person. And in doing all these, ensure that you avoid blaming, arguing and reproaching. And at the back of your mind create room to accommodate their denial, distortion, avoidance, rationalization and intellectualization of the problem. This is very important because unless you understand them beyond their habit you may not achieve much. Besides that when talking to the victims, it is very important that you understand the dos and don’ts as follows:

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: DOs and DON’Ts

Doctor Akoury recommends that as you continue to talk to the person in need of help, the following important details are worth taking into consideration:

Don’t try to talk when either one of you is under the influence of any drug.
Do protect yourself and others around you from physical harm.
Do call police if there is violence.
Do set limits that will protect your home, finances and relationships, and stick to those limits.
And if you are at your wits’ end, you might consider a formal intervention.

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: How do i help someone who may need treatment?

Mention the word “treatment” in relation to substance use and many people think of long-term residential facilities or detox. In fact, treatment includes both of these options and a variety of others.

Treatment addresses the individual’s physical, psychological, emotional and social conditions. Sustained reduction in alcohol or other drug use and sustained increases in personal health and social function are the primary goals.

The type of treatment is based on the severity of the problem. For risky users, treatment can be as simple as a screening and a brief intervention. For people exhibiting signs of dependence or addiction, a screening will probably lead to a referral for more intense level of care.

All treatment starts with a screening, which is a series of questions about the amount and frequency of alcohol or other drug use and the consequences it may be causing. Screening can be done by many types of professionals, including a physician in a hospital or an office, a nurse, a clinical social worker, or a licensed substance abuse counselor.

After a screening, some people may need a brief intervention, usually done by a health professional. During a brief intervention, people receive feedback on their substance use based on the screening results. Frequently, people are asked to cut back or stop their use. If they are ready to cut down, the health care professional will work with them to set a goal based on lower consumption. They may also be encouraged to reflect on why they use and how their lives will change by lowering their use. People who want to stop substance use will most likely be referred for additional evaluation or treatment.

To help someone you know who you think may have a substance use problem you first need to get them screened. Your best bet is to talk to your own physician or employee assistance professional about referring you to someone who can help, such as a licensed substance abuse counselor or family therapist.

Helping Addicts Accept their Addiction Problem: How do i help someone who needs treatment?

Formal treatment takes many forms, and no one type of treatment is best for everyone. There are many roads to recovery. Like for instance you may think that you need to choose just the right program for your family member and if you don’t, treatment will fail. But experts believe that any of a number of programs can lead to success if the person is willing to accept help from others and invest energy in working on recovery. A physician or another health care professional can also help you choose where someone should go for treatment.