How to Encourage a Loved One to Seek Help

If you have a loved one who has allowed substance misuse to take over her life, it’s likely you’ve noticed the warning signs, but may have felt reluctant to start a conversation about it. You have probably witnessed several ways in which dependence on her drug of choice has begun to negatively affect every aspect of her life, including her relationship with you. However, maybe you are having trouble coming up with a constructive way to bring up the issue. That’s understandable; for many, it can be one of the most challenging conversations you ever have.

You may be concerned that you’re “meddling” in your loved one’s life, or that mentioning the problem could make it worse or even damage your relationship. However, if someone you care about is struggling with substance abuse, starting a conversation could be the catalyst that convinces your loved one to get the professional help she needs to get her life back on track.

How to Bring up the Topic of Substance Abuse

When you mention your concerns to your loved one, you should accept that she may not be prepared to hear what you have to say. Many addicts are in deep denial that they have an issue; in this case, she may entirely reject your efforts to help.

Though it can be frustrating to receive that kind of response, the most constructive thing you can do in that situation is to ask questions to keep the discussion going, then genuinely listen to her responses. Maintaining an open, two-way dialogue may help your loved one reach a place where she is willing to admit she has a problem.

Here are a couple of prompts for starting a conversation with someone you’ve begun to worry about.

I’ve noticed you haven’t seemed like yourself lately. Did you want to talk about why?
It seems like you’ve been drinking/using drugs more often recently. What’s going on?
Do you feel as if your drug use/drinking is becoming a problem?

The best thing you can do after you ask questions like these is to be a good listener — allowing your loved one to open up as much as possible about what’s going on in her life. Remember, you are there to provide as much love, support and encouragement as possible.

Seeking Help for Your Loved One

After opening the door to a constructive conversation about substance abuse, the next step is to help your loved one find a qualified treatment facility. At Canyon Crossing, we offer women’s-only drug rehab in Arizona, and our admissions team is ready to connect someone you care about with the help she needs to start fresh in life. Contact us today.

Benefits of Residential AddictionTreatment

You cannot heal in the same environment that made you sick. This is the philosophy behind our residential addiction treatment program. At Canyon Crossing, women learn to live life on life’s terms while staying in a safe, substance-free setting. This gives our clients the space and peace needed for lasting recovery.

Our residential program combines high-accountability sober living arrangements with first-rate clinical care. While staying in our homes, clients participate in process groups, one-on-one counseling sessions, and hands-on learning opportunities. They also receive ongoing training; in these meetings, life skills like financial management and conflict resolution are imparted. All of this happens with 24/7 encouragement, guidance, and supervision from our clinical team.