What To do if You Think a Family Member Needs Treatment For Addiction

There are often no warning signs when a family member starts using drugs. In the early stages of their addiction they are usually able to function without any noticeable problems, and there they may be no indicators that they have become drug dependent and need treatment for addiction.

You may even put their disheveled appearance, constant lack of money and sudden isolation, down to stress, depression or, worse still, blame yourself. However, as their using progresses there can be a few tell-tale signs that let you know something is not quite right and, there maybe even a be a specific ‘incident’ where the extent of their using becomes apparently obvious even if they are not yet willing to admit they have a problem.

Discovering that a loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol dependency and needs addiction treatment is a difficult time for any family, and it can be hard to know to address the situation and what to do for the best.

The way you handle this, can be the difference between the lines of communication staying open; with you able to support and encourage your loved one into a drug free life. Or, can mean they isolate themselves further – maybe even moving out of the family home – and completely detach themselves from the family.