One of the worst feelings in the world is watching someone you love lead a destructive lifestyle. Addiction does this. It strips away a person’s personality and leaves them completely dependent on drugs and alcohol. While most friends and family have no intention of just standing around and waiting for the worst to happen, they also have trouble knowing how to help.
If you’re in this situation, you’re probably wondering how you can get your loved one into Arizona rehab. People who are using drugs and alcohol aren’t typically willing participants for a number of reasons, including denial and a lack of motivation to change. Therefore, you’ll have to use some convincing to get your loved one to take the first step. However, it’s important to remind yourself that only the addict is capable of change.
Here are five ways that you can help encourage your loved one to enter an Arizona treatment center.
1. Understand the Nature of Addiction
Addicts are difficult to work with because they’re under the influence of drugs and alcohol. This can be frustrating for you, but lashing out isn’t helpful. This will only push your loved one further – and further away from treatment.
To help you approach this topic with more compassion and awareness, it helps to understand the nature of addiction. Substance use is often a symptom of a greater problem, such as trauma or mental illness. Most addicts are in a great deal of pain and using drugs and alcohol as an escape.
2. Research Your Treatment Options
There are many different levels of treatment. Inpatient treatment centers are great because they often provide everything under one roof – detox, therapy and around-the-clock support. However, these programs are most expensive, and your loved one will have to take time off from their lives.
Intensive outpatient and outpatient programs are more flexible – some people even work while participating in these programs! Clients spend a few hours most days of the week receiving therapy and working on their goals. Outpatient care is more affordable, too.
By understanding the different treatment options, you will be better prepared to answer questions and help your loved one find the right care.
3. Set and Enforce Boundaries
This is an important one. Too often, families unknowingly enable their loved one’s addiction. They think they’re keeping them safe, when in reality, they’re helping the addiction continue. Work with an addiction specialist to develop healthy boundaries and consequences.
For example, if your loved one refuses rehab in AZ, you may no longer pay their bills, cover up for them at work or let them crash at your house. The purpose of this is not to ‘punish’ your loved one, but rather help them see the effects of their drug and alcohol use.
4. Schedule an Intervention
Work with a mediator to schedule an intervention for your loved one. Mayo Clinic has some great tips on how to stage a successful intervention. These carefully planned meetings can give someone the push they need to commit to rehab.
Think about who you want to add to the intervention team and the things you want to say. A mediator can help guide this process and make sure that it’s an effective intervention. These meetings are emotionally charged, so it’s important to have a third party present.
5. Communicate with Compassion
Talk to your loved one regularly, if possible. Addiction is a disease, and even though it’s destructive, your loved one still needs you. This doesn’t mean that you need to set aside your own health and happiness, but you should be there to encourage their sobriety.
What makes Wolf Creek Recovery unique is that many of our team members are in recovery. We have walked the path to sobriety, and we know what it took to get us to change. While each person is unique, we can offer this firsthand experience to our clients. Contact us today to discuss your loved one’s needs for a treatment center in Arizona.
Finding purpose in pain is what Jonathon does best. He is a strong advocate for those suffering from substance use disorders. As a person in recovery, Jonathon knows how important it is to receive empathy and compassion. He recognizes that each person comes from a different set of circumstances and deserves to be valued and respected.
With a fresh perspective and compassionate attitude, Jonathon works closely with clients to help them let go of the past and know when to take necessary risks. The recovery process is ongoing, which means people need to move forward while applying the skills learned in treatment. Jonathon is a great motivator when it comes time for this!
Jonathon also places emphasis on the family unit and how it can make or break the recovery experience. Individuals with active, supportive families have far better outcomes. Jonathon realizes that it’s impossible to move mountains overnight, but with the right support team and positive attitude, anything is possible.
