Patricia
94% of people with a substance use disorder (SUD) never receive treatment. If you do not want your loved one to become one of them, you may wonder how to convince them to go to rehab.
Unfortunately, many people with SUDs do not believe they need help in the first place. Others may recognize that they have a problem. But they might avoid rehab for fear of the unknown.
You can make the difference between your loved one suffering the consequences of untreated addiction and getting their life back on track. Learn how to convince your loved one that they need rehab below.
Signs Your Loved One Needs to Go to Rehab
Before you talk to your loved one about rehab, you need to know if they do, in fact, have a SUD. Some people may use substances but not develop an addiction. Signs your loved one may have a SUD include:
- Risky behavior
- Compromised school or work performance
- Legal difficulties
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Physical appearance alterations
- Impaired coordination
- Irritability
- Unexpected mood swings
- Paranoia
- Interpersonal problems
Do you or your loved one need help now? Visit a family recovery center in Atlanta, Georgia to get the help you need.
How to Talk to Your Loved One About Going to Rehab
Talking to your loved one can be challenging and scary. Here are three tips to make the conversation about rehab easier for you and your loved one.
Do Your Research
As we will discuss latert, showing compassion toward your loved one is critical if you want them to get help. To do that, you must understand what they are going through and the options available to help.
Research your loved one’s condition as thoroughly as possible. Then, locate a rehab facility in your area. Severe addictions require an inpatient program. People with mild to moderate SUDs may benefit from outpatient rehab alone.
Host an Intervention
Interventions are planned sit-downs with your loved one. It can be you and a trusted friend or partner present. Or you can invite your entire family to support your loved one.
Use the intervention to explain how your loved one’s behavior impacts you and others. Your loved one may have no idea how their addiction issues affect the people they care about.
Always Show Compassion
Last but most importantly, always show your loved one empathy and compassion. Focus on ‘I’ statements and set firm but clear boundaries. Avoid criticizing or judging your loved one.
For example, your loved one may fear rehab because they do not want to go through withdrawals. It may help to explain that rehabs offer assisted detox services. They may be eligible for medication to make them more comfortable.
Find a Rehab Facility Near You Today
If your loved one displays one or more of the above signs, it could mean they need to go to rehab. Use the tips in this guide to help them do just that.
Do you want more advice about helping a loved one with an addiction problem? Check out our health and wellness blog for more posts like this.
