158 - How to approach my loved one to get help

Real Recovery Talk

Today, I’ll be talking about how to handle talking to your loved one to find out if they have a problem with addiction. Parents can have denial about their children’s addiction, and family members may not recognize signs of addiction. Find out how you can recognize the signs of addiction and what language to use in the delicate conversation of talking to your loved one who may be addicted to drugs and alcohol.

How we frame our message in the conversation is important, such as, “I want to allow you to get help.” Be patient and don’t demand that they reach out for help. It is a privilege to be able to have the resources to obtain assistance to become clean. However, many times the addict doesn’t want to become clean and sober, even if they can participate in a rehab center.

Be tactful when approaching your loved one. Make sure to have guidance on how to have this conversation. Create an open conversation to not push your child or loved one away from moving them towards recovery.

Also, make sure to have options that you have vetted put into place before you speak with your loved one. If they agree to be treated, you want to keep that momentum going and have options already in place to offer to them. The next step should be readily available, and they should be ready to go within 24 hours of agreeing to treatment.

If they refuse, use leverage points to make them uncomfortable and want to go. For example, if you provide a car, home, food, cell phone, or other necessity, take it away until they decide to recover. When you provide these things for them, it is easier for them to use their cash to buy drugs or alcohol.

At Rock Recovery Center, we take a humanistic approach to recovery, teaching our clients how to live independently in a sober world. We care about the success and safety of each and every one of our clients from the moment they step into our center to the future of their well-being.

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Show Notes:

• [03:45] The difficulty of navigating talking to your children about addiction.
• [04:57] Does your child recognize that they have an issue with drugs or alcohol?
• [06:30] The privilege to have the resources to get clean and sober.
• [08:07] How to phrase your concerns - words to use and not to use.
• [12:10] Be ready with treatment options so as not to put time in between your loved one agreeing and going to treatment.
• [14:26] What to say when they refuse treatment.
• [19:45] Don’t go into a conversation being hostile.

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