You have a friend that hasn’t been acting like their normal self as of late. They’ve become more aggressive and they seem to always be tired. You chalked it up to stress but you’ve noticed a few appearance changes and they’ve asked for money more than once this month.
These are all signs that your loved one might be a drug addict. It’s important as their friend that you learn how to talk to an addict and try to get them the help that they need before it’s too late.
Talking to them can be a little tricky. Check out this guide to learn how to go about it.
1. When Is it Time to Talk?
It’s important that you don’t talk to your friend while they’re already under the influence of their addiction. They most likely won’t be able to take in everything you’re trying to say to them and you have no idea how they’ll behave.
Choose a time when they are sober and even then, be careful with how you bring it up.
2. How to Get the Conversation Going
Getting the conversation going can be a bit tricky. You want to express your concern without them pushing away from you.
It might be a good idea to bring back up with you. Choose another friend or family member who is also worried about your loved one’s health.
Make sure you meet in a neutral setting such as your house. You don’t want to meet at a bar if your loved one is an alcoholic, for example.
3. Be Supportive
No matter how much your friend has been lashing out due to their addiction, they’re not a bad person. It’s important to remember that addiction is a disease. You should be as kind and supportive as you can.
You’re there to communicate your concern. Not to be judgmental, or force them to get their life back on track.
4. Be Specific as Possible
When you’re talking to an addict you’ll need to give them examples of their behavior. You’ll need to bring up specific things that you’re seeing.
Don’t make accusatory statements and use phrases such as “I’m worried because of XYZ”. They can’t argue against your feelings after all.
5. Encourage Them
One of the leading causes of drug addiction is feeling hopeless. Like nobody is there for you. You don’t want to add to that.
Be encouraging. Talk about the effect their addiction is having on the things they care about such as their career. They may have given up on their dreams but knowing that you haven’t given up on them may be the inspiration they need.
How to Talk to an Addict About Their Addiction
Talking to someone about their addiction can feel like you’re walking on eggshells. If you say the wrong thing, you may make the situation a lot worse. Use this guide on how to talk to an addict to encourage them rather than put them down.
Part of helping someone with their addiction is to learn more about it and its effects on the body. Check out our blog daily for more articles like this one.