Family members are always concerned about their loved one whenever they see them using drug substances. You may have accepted promises, give lectures, or imposed consequences for such behavior but never saw changes. Therefore, it is pretty essential to know or learn how you can help them battle addiction.

Good knowledge about addiction can give a family the sense of hope that addiction can be treated and prevented. Without help, an addict can experience crises like medical emergencies, public embarrassment, loss of job, and even death. Once you observe that something is wrong with them, you should seek advice from a professional or discuss with other family members about the situation.

To ensure less harm, treatment in the early stage will lessen anxiety if substance usage is discovered earlier. Dealing with an addict in the family is not easy. However, there are certain tips that can help.

These are some tips on how to help your family member recover from the addiction.

1. Educate them about addiction

Enlightenment about drug addiction can assist the family member to escape the blame game and help him recover from addiction. You should know that addiction is not a choice, so it should not make you lose affection towards your loved one. Some people believe that drug addiction is caused by loneliness and a lack of good knowledge about the drug’s side effects. Various means like online research and the introduction of books can help boost a family’s sense of hope and assist a family member recovering from addiction. Lastly, when educating them, give them words of encouragement. This gives them hope of coming out of addiction.

2. Using drug Rehabilitation facilities

Taking your family member who is an addict to a drug rehab facility can assist in helping him get over addiction. These drug rehab facilities give them access to professional help and needed services to get over the addiction. Professional staff, medical and nursing personnel are trained to assist and educate drug addicts on overcoming their present challenges. During this process, it is expected for you and other family members to give and provide the necessary support for them as they begin the recovery through group therapy, counseling, and a balanced diet.

3. Connect them with understanding peers

It may not be entirely easy or comfortable to live with someone who has an addiction. Having an addict in a family can be a stressful life situation, especially if it continues for years. At this moment, connecting them with peers can help, especially if the family is well-established. Many programs can provide help for families of addicts. They also offer a safe, nonjudgmental space for family members to learn, discuss, and how to cope with an addiction unfolding in their midst. Feeling of isolation and doubt begins to fade after attending peer meetings. An addict needs a healthy sense of community during the recovery process. Ensure that they have contact with their friends/peers and still partake in normal, daily activities as this will give them a sense of belonging.

4. Family therapy session

Most consequences are absorbed by the spouse or siblings of an addict who takes substances. Most people are not comfortable with speaking openly about the behavior that is causing harm to them. Some family members blame themselves when the addict is persistent with substance usage. Silence can hold a family back from getting help, especially when there are no regular communication sessions. They tend to distance themselves since they cannot fight against addiction. However, through family therapy, a session can be set up to allow everyone to speak their truths. It helps the family to work out their differences and understand themselves better in a healthy way. Family therapy sessions can take time and can be beneficial to a family member recovering from addiction. Lastly, meetings should not be missed by the addict anytime scheduled.

5. Expectation management

It is an excitement when you help an addicted family member begin the recovery process. However, it might take a while before behaviors and patterns associated with addiction change. The person may try to hold on to old habits along the recovery process, eventually leading to disappointment. Nevertheless, when you set expectation management for you and your family member, it helps you keep track of the recovery process. However, things might not always be perfect, but the recovery target can help keep the addicted family member on the right path.

6. Regular exercise

Exercise can help an addict in recovering physically, mentally, and emotionally. Stretching the muscles and pushing tendons regularly enables the brain to release happy chemicals like serotonin and endorphins that keep the individual-centered and calm. In addition, exercise helps reduce depression and stress, and it is observed that about 43% of adults use training to cope with stress. Therefore, engaging your family member who is an addict with regular exercise can help them keep off from drugs and recover better. Also, practicing yoga and meditation is a way to keep them on track while recovering, and it is easy to get started. A great diet and exercise routine will improve an addict’s quality of life on a big scale.

A family member living with addiction doesn’t have to walk the path to recovery alone. With support from family members and friends, it can aid in a successful recovery. Therefore everyone in the family needs to stay informed and monitor the health condition of their loved ones while going through a lifelong recovery path. In addition, it would help if you encourage them after the rehab program is completed. Try to introduce the addict to other interesting activities to help get his mind off the drugs. These guidelines assist you in helping your family member recover from addiction. Individuals in recovery must continue to receive support and care after rehab, as this process does not “cure” addiction. Temptations and cravings often pop up years after, especially in times of stress and loneliness. However, with the proper coping techniques, love, and support from those surrounding the individual, long-term recovery is possible.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.