Addiction is a slippery slope that many who suffer from it aren’t prepared for. It doesn’t take long for everything in an individual’s life to focus solely on acquiring and using drugs. The impact isn’t felt by only the user though. Friends and family members are all affected by a loved one’s addiction even if that wasn’t the individual’s intention. The best path for someone already using drugs is to seek out addiction treatment. There are other ways you can help your friend out along the way though.
Start by Learning the Signs of Drug Addiction
The reach that addiction has to infest all parts of a person’s life leads to that person showing certain symptoms during their drug use. No two cases of addiction are the same and drugs impact everyone differently, but there are common indicators that substance abuse is becoming a problem. These changes can be broken down into physical and behavioral changes.
Physical Indicators of Addiction
Physical indicators that accompany addiction and substance abuse are both internal and external. The most common symptoms include:
- Rapid weight loss or gain
- Insomnia
- Fever
- Hand tremors
- Dilated pupils
- Difficulty holding conversations
- Memory loss
- Poor motor skills
- Frequent bloody nose
- Excess sweating
Behavioral Indicators of Addiction
Behavioral changes in those struggling with addiction change the way they act personally and socially. Your friend may be abusing drugs if they show new signs of:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Low energy
- Irritability
- Taking unnecessary risks
- Loss of motivation for hobbies or work
- Lack of concern for self health
- Isolating from friends and family
- Breaking the law to acquire drugs
- Inability to think about anything other than drugs
- Spending time with others who use drugs
Some of these symptoms can be caused by different things but the combination of two or more of these throws a red flag. The next step should be finding a way to bring up your concerns with your friend without blaming them for what’s happened. The friend you knew before addiction is still there and they need your help to break free. Once they agree to seek treatment, it’s time to get them to the rehab center.
Professional Help Should Always Be Used
Ending drug use and getting through the detox period of recovery can be near impossible for many addicted individuals. In severe cases of drug abuse, detox can come with fatal withdrawal symptoms if medication isn’t administered accordingly. Medically-assisted detox helps those in recovery safely get through the most painful and dangerous part of treatment. Medical professionals provide 24/7 supervision while administering FDA-approved medication to reduce the severity of withdrawal symptoms.
When getting your friend to agree to treatment, focus on creating dialogue rather than telling them what they should do. Share how their actions have impacted you and that you only want to help them. Speak from a place of compassion and understanding to let them know your intentions are genuine. Planning an intervention with a few other loved ones can help convince those who don’t think their actions are impacting others.
It’s important to have a rehab center ready to take your friend in as soon as they agree to treatment. Intake and detox can begin immediately before they have a chance to change their mind as addiction treatment is a big step to take but one that’s necessary. Provide as much love and support as possible before, during, and after treatment.
Get Treatment Arranged for Those Close to You
America’s Rehab Campus is Arizona’s leading addiction treatment center. The compassionate ARC staff help guests and their families through each step of recovery, even offering family therapy to help loved ones grow and heal from their experience. Understanding the financial side of seeking treatment, ARC has an expanded network of accepted insurance plans along with an online verification tool.
If you’re ready to have a talk with your friend about their drug use, reach out to America’s Rehab Campus with any questions or concerns you may have. Every consultation is private and you can even arrange for transportation to the facility from wherever you plan to stage the intervention. There’s always hope for recovery no matter how severe drug addiction has become.
