Watching your loved one suffer from addiction is one of the most painful things a person could go through. It could feel like such a helpless, uphill battle, especially when the person suffering from addiction is not likely to cooperate to the pleas of their loved ones to stop whatever it is they are doing.
Reason and logic tend to fall on deaf ears for those who have become dependent on drugs or alcohol. The only remaining recourse is to convince them to seek professional help from a rehab facility. The tricky part is, how do they get there and what can you do to successfully do it?
Watch Out Closely for Signs
An addict becomes highly secretive. They become very careful in their actions to avoid surveillance or being called out. Even though they may deny that they are doing anything wrong, the fact that they don’t want you to find out about it is indicative that they have some semblance of awareness that what they’re doing is problematic.
Once they start trying to make up excuses for their absence or tardiness, or any other action in general, it could be a sign that the addiction is already taking root in their system. Be mindful as well of any other changes in behavior, such as in how they socialize with other people, as well as how they conduct themselves at work, if possible.
They can try very hard to hide these changes, but the most subtle ones should be very difficult to keep covered up. You would also want to pay close attention to their finances. It may not be possible for you to peek into their bank accounts, but there will be other telling signs that they may be losing money because of addiction.
For one, they may start borrowing money from you or other people more frequently than usual. They will come up with elaborate stories as to why they need the money, and they can be very persuasive about their need for it. It’s ultimately up to you whether you will give them the money they’re asking for, but know that for every time you do, you are technically enabling their addiction.
Their Physical Health is Deteriorating
It can be very alarming to see your loved one’s physical health rapidly deteriorate because of the substances they are taking. Whether it’s drugs or alcohol, you need to be aware of the many health risks that come along with it.
The threat of an overdose is also very potent, which is what you would want to be careful about the most. Dark circles under the eyes, red eyes, slurred speech, tweaking, smell of alcohol reeking from their pores, slower general movements, and others, are but some of the more physical changes you can observe from an addict. The organs inside the body, however, could be suffering more.
Should a situation arise wherein they need to be brought to the hospital for a health condition, it’s important to see just how much damage they have incurred. For some, it could be the turning point they need to snap out of their addiction, but it’s probably going to take more than that.
They Turn to Questionable Activities
The addiction can overwhelm them so much that their personalities change altogether. This includes them engaging in questionable activities they would otherwise not have when they were sober.
It could be anywhere from shoplifting to outright robbery, or defrauding other people for monetary gain so they can sustain their addiction. Having a police record because of these activities can put an indelible stain on their image and reputation, which is why you need to keep it from happening as much as you can. Find out more on how a rehab facility can help your loved one turn their life around from addiction.