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How to Help Someone with a Drug Addiction

Name: How to Help Someone with a Drug Addiction
Creator: María José Petit-Rodríguez
Published: 2021-08-05T10:33:47Z

Last Updated: March 26, 2025

Authored by María José Petit-Rodríguez

Reviewed by Dr. Alison Tarlow, Certified Addictions Professional (C.A.P.)

0 sources cited

How to help Someone with a Drug Addiction

Helping someone with a drug addiction requires patience, understanding, and consistent support. Effective assistance involves open communication in a judgment-free environment where the individual feels safe to express their struggles. Drug addiction, also known as substance use disorder, significantly impacts public health in the United States. According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 43.7 million individuals aged 12 or older required treatment for an addiction to alcohol, nicotine, or other drugs. However, only about 10%, or a little over 2 million, received any form of treatment, and those that did generally did not receive evidence-based care.

Professional treatment options include rehabilitation programs, therapy sessions, and support groups that address both physical dependence and underlying psychological factors. Setting clear boundaries prevents enabling behaviors while still showing compassion. Family involvement contributes to successful recovery through emotional support and accountability.

Educating others about addiction as a disease reduces stigma and encourages acceptance of treatment. Recovery occurs gradually with proper intervention, professional guidance, and a strong support network throughout the healing journey.

In reality, the addiction recovery timeline is way more complex, as people reject treatment in the first place, or several recovery efforts may be needed for a successful recovery. Guiding yourself or a loved one through the demanding challenges of addiction is mentally and physically overwhelming; you may feel lost, defeated, and even tempted to give up completely.

How to Help Someone Overcome Drug Addiction?

To help someone overcome drug addiction, it is necessary to become educated on the disease, encourage them to seek treatment, and support them in their journey. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are currently acknowledged as chronic mental conditions prone to relapse, often persisting for decades, and sustained abstinence may typically take numerous episodes of care. Addressing substance abuse helps in building an improved, stable society.

Here are tips on how to help someone with drug addiction:

Encourage Professional Treatment: Suggest that the person seeks help from addiction specialists, therapists, or treatment centers. Professional treatment includes inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient programs, and counseling.
Support and Nonjudgmental Behavior: Offer your support without criticism. Be understanding and avoid shaming or blaming the person for their addiction. Let them know you are there for them throughout the recovery process.
Emotional Support: Listen to their concerns and provide a safe space for them to express their feelings. Show empathy and care without offering unsolicited advice or criticism.
Healthy Habits: Help them establish routines that promote physical and mental well-being, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and sufficient sleep. Encourage engaging in activities that improve mood and overall health.
Learning About Addiction: Educate yourself about drug addiction and its challenges so you offer informed and compassionate support.
Setting Boundaries: Establish clear limits to avoid enabling their behavior. Protect yourself from harmful situations while encouraging them to take responsibility for their actions.
Support Groups: Suggest attending support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for peer support. These groups help them connect with others who understand their struggles and recovery journey.
Accompanying to Appointments: Offer to go with them to therapy or support group meetings to show your support. This reduces anxiety and makes them feel less alone in the process.
Patience: Understand that recovery is a long-term process that may involve setbacks. Be patient and give them the time they need to make progress.
Avoid Enabling Behavior: Don’t provide financial support, cover up their mistakes, or make excuses for their addiction. Enabling behaviors hinders their recovery process and prolongs their addiction.

What is the Impact of Addiction?

The impact of addiction is wide-ranging and affects multiple aspects of a person’s life. Addiction has severe consequences on an individual’s physical and mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

The impact of addiction is written below:

Economic Costs of Addiction

The last data shows that the annual economic impact of substance misuse was estimated to be $249 billion for alcohol misuse and $193 billion for illicit drug use.

These economic burdens come from healthcare expenses (treatment, rehabilitation programs) and criminal justice (drug-related crimes). The workforce also gets impacted due to absenteeism, poor job performance and mental and physical disability.

Drug Abuse Impact on Families

Drug abuse puts a heavy burden on the shoulders of families. Maintenance, care and support of a member with addiction bring socio-economic and mental health problems, abuse and conflicts.

Legal fees and medical bills lead to financial instability, affecting family savings and endangering the financial future.

Community Problems Arising from Addiction

Drug-related crimes, such as theft, violence, and drug trafficking, threaten community safety.

The spread of infectious diseases among injection drug users, like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, strains healthcare and social services. Treatment facilities, homeless shelters, and mental health services face overwhelming demand, exceeding their capacity to address community needs.

How to Help Someone Who Rejects Addiction Treatment?

To help someone who rejects addiction treatment includes expressing concern, intervention, avoiding enabling, and facilitating access to treatment. Start by expressing concern for their well-being without being confrontational. Listen to their reasons for refusing treatment and acknowledge their feelings, while gently encouraging them to consider seeking help. Offer to accompany them to therapy or support groups, and provide information about the benefits of treatment. Avoid enabling their behavior, but let them know you’re there for them when they’re ready to take that step. Ultimately, respect their autonomy, but continue to show support and understanding.

Here are ways to help someone who is rejecting addiction treatment:

Stage an Intervention

An intervention is a carefully planned meeting with the individual, led by a professional if possible, where loved ones express concern about the addiction and encourage acceptance of treatment.

Successfully stage an intervention following the next steps:

Organize a small, trusted group to prepare for the intervention.
Research addiction and treatment options to provide up-to-date support.
Consider seeking guidance from an addiction professional.
Select a private, comfortable setting conducive to open dialogue.
Communicate potential outcomes and consequences of refusing treatment.
Engage a neutral facilitator to guide the intervention process.
Allow each member to express their concerns.
Offer ongoing support and follow the below advice post-intervention.

Encourage Open Communication

Having a safe space to talk about substance abuse is one of the most difficult but vital elements of a successful addiction recovery.

Setting a place where you or a loved one feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment should be a transversal strategy for treatment recovery. Active listening and validating experiences without being judgmental lead to trust and better outcomes.

Facilitate Access to Treatment

Choosing treatment is draining, particularly under the stress of failing to quit using drugs. Assisting in researching and accessing appropriate treatment programs significantly eases the mental and physical burden of those struggling with addiction. Reach out to addiction professionals to find the best treatment, such as inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient therapy or counseling-based support.

Avoid Enabling Behaviors

It’s important to differentiate when you are truly helping vs. enabling harmful behaviors. Refuse to participate in or condone activities that support substance abuse. Avoid providing money for drugs or alcohol and not covering up their consequences. Instead, focus on supporting treatment, counseling and encouraging healthy habits like regular exercise, nutritious eating habits and stress management techniques.

Provide Emotional Support

Most of the substance dependence is either a result of a mental health disorder (dual diagnosis) or will cause one (co-occurring disorder).

For example, depression and bipolar disorders are the most common psychiatric comorbidities among patients with substance use disorders. Offering steady emotional support and showing empathy and encouragement throughout the treatment journey is a great way to help them navigate recovery challenges.

Attend Support Meetings

Stay attentive to the activities you are present for, such as group meetings, therapy sessions, or other related activities. During these sessions, you provide company, celebrate achievements and milestones in recovery, and strengthen their commitment to staying sober.

Set Boundaries

Personal boundaries easily get blurred during the recovery journey. Establish and maintain clear boundaries with yourself and further communicate them with the one you are helping overcome addiction. Always ensure that you prioritize yourself while offering support.

How to Help Individuals With Drug Addiction Treatment Options?

To help individuals find drug addiction treatment options, it’s important to take a proactive and supportive approach. Start by researching local resources, such as rehabilitation centers, outpatient programs, and therapists specializing in addiction. Encourage the individual to reach out to a healthcare provider who will assess their needs and recommend the most appropriate treatment options. Use reputable online resources, like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), to help locate accredited treatment centers. You also should explore community programs or support groups that offer guidance and resources for people in recovery. Throughout this process, provide emotional support, help them evaluate different treatment methods, and assist with navigating financial or insurance-related challenges. Patience, understanding, and persistence are key to guiding them toward the right help.

Ways to Help Find Drug Addiction Treatment Options:

Research Local Treatment Centers: Look up available inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation programs in your area.
Consult a Healthcare Provider: Encourage the individual to seek professional advice from a doctor, counselor, or addiction specialist.
Use Online Directories: Explore websites like SAMHSA or other trusted addiction treatment directories to locate licensed centers.
Consider Financial Assistance Programs: Help them investigate insurance coverage, sliding-scale fees, or government-funded programs to make treatment more affordable.
Support Group Involvement: Encourage participation in local or online support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or SMART Recovery for additional guidance.
Assess Treatment Approaches: Guide them in evaluating different treatment types, such as detoxification, counseling, or holistic therapies, to find the best fit.
Provide Emotional Support: Offer consistent encouragement and understanding throughout their search for treatment.

What Is The Root Cause of Addiction?

The root causes of addiction stem from interactions between genetic, environmental, and neurological factors, causing alterations in brain circuits linked to reward, stress, and self-control. Like other chronic diseases, addiction disrupts normal brain function, contributing to a vicious cycle.

How Do You Motivate A Recovering Addiction Patient?

Motivate a recovering addiction patient through empathetic encouragement, setting realistic goals, highlighting the benefits of sobriety, and ensuring access to professional support such as counseling, therapy, and peer groups for ongoing guidance and assistance.

What Are Management Strategies For Drug Abuse?

Management strategies for drug abuse include early intervention, individualized assessment and treatment plans, therapy (cognitive-behavioral, motivational enhancement), medication-assisted treatment, relapse prevention strategies, and continuing support from healthcare professionals, family, and community resources.

What Is The Best Way To Approach Someone With An Addiction?

The best way to approach someone with an addiction is with empathy and care. It’s important to choose a calm, private moment to express your concerns without judgment. Use “I” statements to share how their behavior is affecting you, such as, “I’m worried about you,” rather than pointing fingers or placing blame.

How can I encourage someone to seek professional treatment for their addiction?

To encourage someone to seek professional treatment, provide information on treatment options and explain the benefits of therapy or rehabilitation programs. Offer to assist in finding resources or treatment options and accompany them to appointments if they’re open to it. Be patient and let them know you’re there to support them when they’re ready.

What should I do if they refuse treatment or help?

If someone refuses treatment, it’s essential to respect their decision while continuing to offer support. Avoid pressuring them, but let them know you care about their well-being and are available when they are ready to seek help. Sometimes, repeated offers of support help them reconsider their decision over time. Also being aware of current statistics helps convince people to know how important treatment is. According to the World Drug Report over 72,000 drug overdose deaths occurred in the U.S. in 2017, a threefold increase from 2002. Synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, contributed to nearly 30,000 deaths annually. Overall, deaths from alcohol consumption account for over 88,000 lives per year, and tobacco remains the leading cause of preventable death, responsible for over 480,000 deaths annually.

How Can I Support Someone Emotionally Without Enabling Their Behavior?

To support someone emotionally without enabling their behavior, be a good listener and offer encouragement, but avoid excusing or tolerating destructive behavior. Set clear, healthy boundaries to ensure you don’t enable their addiction, such as not covering up for them or providing financial support that might fuel their addiction.

What Are The Signs That Someone Is Ready To Seek Help For Their Addiction?

Signs that someone is ready to seek help include acknowledging the negative impact of their addiction on their life, expressing a desire to change, or asking for help. They might show interest in exploring treatment options or may indicate feelings of hopelessness, signaling they are open to finding a solution.

How Can I Support Someone Emotionally Without Enabling Their Behavior?

Setting healthy boundaries while helping someone with addiction involves being clear about what behaviors you will and will not tolerate. Communicate these boundaries assertively and calmly, and be consistent in enforcing them. This helps protect your well-being and encourages the person to take responsibility for their actions without enabling their addiction.

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Retrieved on April 10, 2024.

Published on: August 5th, 2021

Updated on: March 26th, 2025