How to Cope With a Loved One's Drug Addiction

Drug addiction has many ugly faces, but the person struggling with the addiction is not the only one affected. Loved ones of an addict also face fears, sadness, anger and even co-dependency issues when made aware of an issue with drugs. Here are some tips to help cope with a loved one's drug addiction.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Remain hopeful and don't give up on your loved one. This is a very difficult time, but it is important to remain positive for the addict and for yourself.
2. Set boundaries. Remember that you cannot make your loved one choose a life that is free from drugs; it has to be a choice she makes for herself. However, this is rarely carried through without the love and support of family and friends.
3. Stop enabling the abuser by trying to hide the addiction or lying to others to try to protect the addict.
4. Seek professional therapy or counseling from a licensed psychologist. An experienced counselor will be able to address the complex issues that go along with caring for someone who is destroying himself.
5. Participate in a support group with other families experiencing the same crisis. It will help you to be able to talk to other people that are going through the same difficulties.
6. Participate in an intervention program that is guided by a professional experienced in drug addiction.
7. Take advantage of the resources on the Internet, books and self-help tools. You may find a tool that you can connect with and learn from.

Tips & Warnings

• Be honest with yourself about a loved one's addiction.
• Work together with other family members to make decisions and support one another.
• Realize this is not your fault.
• It's only normal to want to help the one that is addicted to drugs, but you must remember to help and care for yourself as well.
• Remember that your safety is important. A person addicted to drugs will most likely not behave in his or her normal manner.
• Try not to focus on the past, but try to focus on overcoming the addiction.