<p style="text-align: justify;">Did you know that almost <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2017-nsduh-annual-national-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20 million Americans</a> (over the age of 12) are battling a substance use disorder?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">If you&#8217;re loved one struggles with drug addiction, you know how painful it can be to work towards sobriety.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">It&#8217;s not only painful for the addict but for those who love them too.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Read on for our top 5 tips for staying sane while helping someone with drug addiction.</p>
<h2>1. Helping Someone with Drug Addiction Starts with Knowing the Signs</h2>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: justify;">Knowing the <a href="https://www.caron.org/understanding-addiction/drug-addiction" target="_blank" rel="noopener">symptoms of drug abuse</a> can help you be more prepared to help someone struggling with an addiction.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Here are some of the most common signs of drug addiction:</p>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Using an increasing amount of drugs to get the effect or avoid withdrawals</li>
<li>Continuing use even after knowing the harm</li>
<li>Neglecting responsibilities to family, job, finances, etc.</li>
<li>Losing interest in hobbies</li>
<li>Changes in mood or sleep patterns</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify;">If you notice any of these symptoms in a loved one, ask them directly if they are struggling with an addiction.</p>
<h2>2. You Can&#8217;t Fix Them, but You Can Love Them</h2>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">One of the most important things to remember is that you can&#8217;t &#8220;fix&#8221; a loved one&#8217;s addiction. Addiction is classified as a chronic disease and it requires trained mental health professionals to manage.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Many feel like it&#8217;s their full responsibility to treat their loved one&#8217;s addiction. But the truth is, that&#8217;s impossible without professional resources.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Instead of &#8220;fixing&#8221;, &#8220;healing&#8221;, or &#8220;overcoming&#8221; your loved one&#8217;s addictions, focus your efforts on loving, supporting, making regular contact, and avoiding judgment.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Making yourself primarily responsible for the success of someone else&#8217;s sobriety is not only unfair to you, but it&#8217;s also cripplingly heavy.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Regardless of the addict&#8217;s choices, you can always succeed at offering love, support, and warmth when they are receptive and in need.</p>
<h2>3. Be Willing to Talk</h2>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">A lot of frustration along the treatment journey happens when family members and friends aren&#8217;t on the same page as the addict. They have different expectations, levels of experience, and emotions.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Be willing to have an open and honest dialogue with your loved one. Feel free to ask them questions about what steps they are willing and ready to take.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">If they express a willingness to seek professional help then offer to go with them to see a doctor who understands addiction treatment and diagnoses.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Ask your loved one if there are things you can do or change to make your home a safer place for them to be in. Are there any <a href="https://newsforpublic.com/most-addictive-drugs-world/">substances</a> in your home that are a threat to their sobriety?</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Having an honest conversation can help the addict and their loved ones create a solid starting point for the journey to sobriety.</p>
<h2>4. Shame and Judgment Don&#8217;t Help</h2>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Addiction is a chronic disease, and like any other, there will be times when it intensifies. Relapses happen and they are painful and frustrating to an addict and their loved ones.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">It&#8217;s natural to feel angry, upset and disappointed when your loved one relapses. Many loved ones report having feelings and questions like these:</p>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>If they really loved me they wouldn&#8217;t keep doing this.</li>
<li>Why can&#8217;t they just stop?</li>
<li>How many more times are we going to have to go through this?</li>
<li>They said they wouldn&#8217;t do this again, but they lied.</li>
<li>They are breaking my trust.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify;">While these are normal emotions to experience, it&#8217;s absolutely vital that you not respond to the addict with shame and judgment.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">When an addict relapses or confides their addiction to you the best way to respond is with empathy and love.</p>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>I am so sorry that this happened.</li>
<li>I love you, and I am so sorry for the pain that you&#8217;re in. Can I give you a hug?</li>
<li>I can see how much pain you&#8217;re in.</li>
</ul>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Sometimes the best thing you can do is acknowledge their struggle without trying to initially fix the problem.</p>
<h2>5. Ask for Help</h2>
<hr />
<p style="text-align: justify;">If you find that being a support to someone with an addiction is affecting your own mental health or wellness, seek help.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">See a mental health professional or therapist who can help you to healthily and safely process the situation.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">There is no shame in seeking help from someone who has dedicated their professional life to helping people understand their mental health and live better.</p>
<h2>Remember This</h2>
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<p style="text-align: justify;">Helping someone with drug addiction is an emotionally taxing journey. It&#8217;s important to remember that managing addiction is a lifelong process and that it isn&#8217;t your fault if your loved on relapses.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Read Next: <a href="https://newsforpublic.com/stopping-vicious-cycle-addiction/">7 Steps to Stopping the Vicious Cycle of Addiction of Any Kind</a></p>

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