Families often struggle when they watch a loved one go through addiction and they do not know how to help. Sometimes family members are too afraid to speak up and encourage their loved one to enter rehab. If no one confronts the person, however, the addiction will continue to develop and worsen.
In the best interest of everyone involved, families should address the problem, and offer to help in any way possible. Confronting a family member can happen in several different ways. Sometimes it takes a simple conversation with the person in need of rehab. Other times, families reach out to professionals for added support in confronting a loved one during an intervention.
In a recent case, Above It All was mentioned on OWN’s Iyanla Fix My Life where one sister called on host Iyanla Vanzant to provide some healing to a family in crises and to support her sister in getting help for her drinking problem.
Whether your family has held an intervention for you, or someone has simply suggested you go to rehab, how should you react? Below are some things to think about if your family has concerns about your substance use.
Listen. The first thing you should do is listen closely to your loved ones. Hear what they are really saying. Families often agonize over how to approach a loved one — they want you to know they love you and care about what happens to you. They do not want to see you struggle with addiction any more, so they have taken the difficult step and confronted you.
Examine Your Life. Your family has made some observations about your life, your habits, and your needs. Now it is time for you to evaluate your situation. Taking to heart what they share with you, look at your life and consider your drug or alcohol use. Could they be right? Have they seen something even you have not noticed, or could you be in denial that you have a problem? Be honest and take action if necessary.
Use this Opportunity. If there is any chance you could be addicted to drugs or alcohol, accept help and enroll in rehab. Look into the benefits of rehab, and start preparing for a new, sober life. This is the opportunity to go to rehab, seriously consider taking advantage of that opportunity. Use this as a wake-up call and let your family serve as motivation to get sober.
You can do this, and with the help of a treatment program like Above It All and your family’s support, you will soon be on your way to recovery.
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