How to Support Someone with an Addiction? Recovery Guide

Health & Fitness by  Harsha Sharma 14 August 2018 Last Updated Date: 29 November 2024

How to Support Someone with an Addiction? Recovery Guide

Human beings’ addiction to alcohol consumption persists for ages, and it hollows an individual inwardly. Yes, there are ill effects of addiction galore.

Some of the negative impacts of alcohol consumption include Arrhythmias, Cardiomyopathy, liver damage, and others.

Millions of people are suffering from heart failure. This is why people look to find the answer to the question, “How long to rewire brain from addiction?”.

Do you have a family member or friend who you suspect might be addicted? When our loved ones turn to alcohol or drugs, this can be incredibly upsetting and stressful. You may not know how to approach the situation.

Signs of Addiction:

Signs of Addiction

Signs of addiction can vary, depending on the pattern of addiction of an individual to alcohol or any variety of drugs. To know how long it takes to rewire your brain from addiction, you need to understand the physical signs that may help determine your loved one’s addiction.

  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite
  • deterioration of appearance
  • isolation and secrecy
  • abrupt shifts in mood
  • emotional sensitivity
  • lethargy
  • financial requests
  • paranoia
  • secrecy

So, how long to rewire the brain from addiction? It’s important to understand the nature of addiction.

Addicts use substances in ways that seem incomprehensible to us as their rewards provide the incentive to use them regardless of their detrimental effects. For more on this, see this article in Psychology Today.

Another piece to remember is that regardless of all that we know about addiction, we still have a lot of stigma around the subject. According to The Huffington Post, not only does stigma inhibit our response to the problem, but ultimately, it’s deadly.

Should You Intervene?

According to Joel Young, M.D., intervention has both risks and benefits. Addicts are more likely to get help after interventions, yet interventions don’t affect the outcome of the treatment itself. Hence, you need to understand how long it takes to rewire the brain from addiction.

This article may help you make better decisions when it comes to intervention, Drug, and alcohol interventions: Do they work?

Brace Yourself Before Having A Conversation:

If you choose to have a conversation, prepare yourself with information on a good treatment center before your conversation. 

Remember, the goal is to break through any denial so the addicted individual will voluntarily want to seek help.

It’s a good idea to get advice from a substance abuse professional such as those at the Jacksonville treatment center to gain knowledge on the methods of addiction treatment.

Approach With Sensitivity:

It’s important to remember that addiction hijacks the physical brain. The usual experiences of hope, motivation, principles, general interests, and social life may radically change for the addict.

They may not be able to reason or comprehend clearly and are often in denial of their condition. When confronted, they will likely be emotionally volatile or even angry.

Accordingly, an individual must approach an individual with a substance problem with patience, compassion, and awareness.

Remember to be honest and open, reminding your loved ones that you care, respect them, and are there to offer support. Drugs, addiction, and mental issues are all very closely tied together.

According to a leading substance abuse counselor, it is all about controlling the messaging from the brain. This is an extremely delicate and sensitive area of intervention where the mind starts to perceive anyone who has anything contradictory to say about drugs as an enemy.

You need to proceed with caution. If you feel that you are not being able to help effectively, try reaching out to a substance abuse counselor in your region. Hence approaching sensitivity is a part of knowing how long it takes to rewire the brain from addiction.

Family Intervention

When there are family members available to participate in an intervention, this can be quite effective. The concerned people will show the addicted individual that substance abuse harms an individual in different ways.

Stage an intervention with family members and consider the presence of an addiction professional to minimize defensive or aggressive behaviors potentially.

Remember, Addiction is A Disease

How long to rewire the brain from addiction? Drugs and alcohol have negative effects on the brain functioning. It disrupts the functioning of your brain, leading to dependency.

 It is quite natural to be frustrated with one’s loved ones when you see them doing something harmful to their body.

Drinking alcohol will drag you outside the social circle and make you feel like an outcast. As a result, you may feel frustrated. Moreover, it can lead to making you feel like an outcast.

Hence, the first step to supporting an individual is explaining to him/her the ill effects of alcohol. Ask a doctor how to support an individual in recovery.

Be Careful Not to Use Your Love And Comfort Against Them

If you are in a close relationship with an individual actively using alcohol or other substances, it can be extremely challenging.

You must not say, things like, “You must quit alcohol if you love me”; it will completely damage an individual.

Instead, you must convey your concerns to your loved ones. Pat them and try to explain to them you are with them.  These tactics usually fail to work for an individual who is alcohol addicted.

Recognize that there is a Lot to Learn About Substance Disorder

When you experience a feeling of fear, concern, anger, and weariness because someone in your family is addicted to alcohol, it affects you negatively.

Usually, when it concerns other problems, you usually have a lot of knowledge, and you are well informed. However, there may be a lack of knowledge about alcohol addiction.

Hence, you must have a good idea about substance disorders, treatment, and interventions in detail.  

You must make efforts to seek help from experts on experts. Professionals can help you provide a perspective on alcohol addiction and support an individual. This is one of the requirements to better support your loved ones.

Bringing the Discussion to A Close

Supporting an individual with alcohol addiction has its challenges. You need many more things than just empathy, love, and patience.

Finally, while it’s imperative to be compassionate to an addicted family member or loved one, remember that you will be most effective if you are taking care of yourself as well! Here are a few self-care tips. These methods that we discussed can better equip you to help an individual.

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Harsha Sharma

Harsha is a seasoned writer and a huge advocate of self-care. Having completed years in the corporate sector, she’s on a quest to share her experience with the world. Whether it’s about The Daily Grind or the act of putting Mind over Matter, she’s free to share her ultimate recipe to nail the 9 to 5 life (and the life beyond.) While free from nailing her writing deadlines, she often finds herself following REAL trends, current affairs, facts, trivia, and entertainment. And when it comes to a life beyond 9 to 5, she can guide you on what to read, binge, and hype for!

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