If you’ve been keeping up in the last couple of blogs you’ll see I’ve been blogging about helping an addict who is in denial, and then eventually pointing them to a rehab treatment center. It can be a complicated challenge, but certainly a path that can be traversed. Just follow your gut and come from your heart and you’ll do just fine.
I’ve pointed out changing your enabling behavior; stop covering for the addict at work, making excuses for them at home, and cleaning up after them. I’ve also pointed out a way to sit with them and talk. It’s called an intervention. This is when you, friends, family and possibly even an Intervention Specialist sit with the addict when he or she is not drinking (preferably in the morning) and expressing your concerns about his addiction behavior. Part of that plan is to lay out consequences if he doesn’t go. The hope is to send him to a recovery treatment center that same day.
If the addict agrees to treatment, take them immediately. Don’t let them go on their own, and don’t wait. The addict may use again and then change his mind about going to a rehab treatment center.
If you’ve taken these steps and stuck to your plan, it should go well, but if it doesn’t do not feel defeated. As they say, ‘you may have lost the battle, but the war wages on.’ Be sure to follow through on the part of the plan where you told the addict what you would do if he decided not to go to a recovery treatment center. If you don’t, well, the addict might see the consequences as just ‘empty threats,’ and then you’ve gotten nowhere.
An important thing to note: be sure you are willing to go through with the consequences so this doesn’t happen. Make sure it isn’t too much for you!
As I’ve definitely stated before, you should get help for yourself before, during, and after a situation like this. It is a taxing time and you’ll need guidance and support of professionals and/or experienced people. Attending a support group for people who’ve been through something like this is practical advice and shouldn’t be taken lightly. You might also want to speak to an alcohol and drug counselor.
You can make it through this, just keep the end goal in mind and you’ll do well!