Four Ways of Helping a Loved One Overcome

Helping your loved ones overcome addictions and through tough times is one of the most rewarding things in life. Sometimes they are down and need your support, but most don’t even say anything. Why? Because they’re ashamed of being seen as needy. 

You don’t have to think like that. Instead, think of the times when they were there for you when you needed them. Through tough times, you prevailed, so why can’t they? 

One of the most common issues people deal with is depression, stress, and drug addiction. You’d be surprised to know the Association of American Medical Colleges claimed that drug addiction is a severe problem across the US, with 21 million Americans engaged in at least one form of addiction. 

What’s more, the Addiction Center claims that only 10% of the affected receive proper treatment. One of the main reasons is the increased costs associated with treatment. People spend over $600 billion on treatment, which is a lot given the amount of inflation in the United States. 

So, what do you do? You start by supporting your loved ones, whether family, friends or even in a romantic relationship. You can’t give up on them regardless of how tough they might seem. With that said, if you know anyone close to you dealing with stress, depression, or addiction, here are a few tips that should help. 

Help them join a dedicated facility

You can seek inpatient or residential treatment from a Scottsdale rehab center that involves living in the facility away from all distractions. It will help your loved one focus on your treatment and eliminate addiction triggers from the outside world. Depending on their progress, it can last a few days up to several months.

A tailored approach will be ideal if your loved one has addiction problems. Dedicated institutions like the Palm Beach Institute offer top-of-the-line inpatient and outpatient treatments, family recovery, detox, and hospitalization. 

During this time, you must stand by your loved one to ensure they are investing time and effort in their recovery. But it would be best if you asked what treatment would be best for your loved one by talking to professionals. 

Seeking help from experts must be the first thing on your list to help your loved one recover, whether it is addiction, chronic depression, or stress. Some people don’t like being questioned, which is why they are sensitive about their issues. 

Seek Support from Others

The journey to recovery isn’t effective in solitude. A strong support system boosts motivation and confidence to continue. When your loved ones feel loved and supported, the chances of relapse or falling back into darkness are lower. 

People suffering are often reluctant to turn toward friends and family because of trust issues. It is also essential to keep the people who inflicted pain on your loved ones’ lives at a distance. Help them engage with people who recovered and include them in a social network to support their recovery. 

Another excellent idea would be to help them join positively charged social groups like church groups, volunteering communities, or social events in a community to keep them engaged. 

Living in a sober home with other recovering patients from addiction or depression allows your loved ones to realize that they’re not alone. It provides them with a safe and supportive environment while giving them room to improve their mental health. 

If addiction is the case for your loved one, get them to join a 12-step recovery program that lets them track their progress. These steps entail confronting the core problems that led to their addiction step-by-step. 

Help them avoid Triggers 

An essential element of treatment is keeping your loved ones away from all the times that pushed them to their current state. Those triggers will eventually stall their progress and must be avoided. 

Triggers for each individual are different. For those battling drug addiction, it could be the people who introduced them to drugs, shops, and even specific places. For those battling depression, it could be particular circumstances. For those who are victims of stress, it could be an environment. 

If your loved one has an addiction problem, remind them of the negative consequences of drug abuse. Help them resist these urges through urge surfing. It is a brilliant technique that can be used to help your loved ones avoid cravings and keep themselves firm through the recovery journey. 

Find a Hobby

Do not let your loved ones drown in sorrows. Sure, it can be discouraging for them to manage their issues, but one of the most effective ways of helping them cope is to engage with them in a hobby. It could be anything from playing a musical instrument or working out. 

Healthy activities can help reduce withdrawal symptoms. Working out is an excellent way to keep the mind engaged and help the body recover from depression, stress, or drug addiction. 

If your loved one(s) want to join a gym, it would be best to take them to a physician or a doctor for more information and an evaluation. If they are good to go, go with them, monitor them, and be supportive of their decisions. Moreover, motivation to change their lives will also play a crucial role in their journey towards recovery. It will be challenging, but it will be worth it. 

Conclusion

The first step toward recovery is saying No to many things that acted as triggers. The next step involves staying consistent. Your loved ones need your support and love to understand their situation, so do the best you can. 

Help them join a dedicated facility if drug addiction is their cause of destruction. Help them join a group of individuals who battled depression and broke through the shackles of stress. 

Urge your loved ones to learn healthy ways of coping with stress and anxiety and keep their triggers and cravings at bay by practicing urge surfing. Last but not least, be consistent and stand with your loved ones. They won’t reach out to you because they’re scared of being looked down upon, but wouldn’t you feel the same if it was you?