Sending a Family Member to Treatment
When a family member struggles with addiction, getting them help is always a top priority. It’s never easy to watch as a loved one deteriorates and loses control of their life. However, sending a family member to treatment can also be difficult due to addiction’s powerful hold on a person’s mind.
Many families feel powerless while watching addiction take its toll on every aspect of a family member’s life and often search for a way to help. The best way to help someone struggling with addiction is by sending a family member to treatment for substance abuse.
Should I Send a Family Member to Treatment?
People who become dependent on substances are often in denial about their substance abuse problems and unwilling to get help. However, some people are completely unaware of the negative effects of their substance abuse.
Often parents and families feel guilty for sending their family members to treatment after seeing their level of distress when the topic is broached. It is important to understand that it is not only the right thing to do but also a necessary step in helping them get the help they need.
Tips for Sending a Family Member to Treatment
While trying to send a family member to treatment, there are some things you can do to make the process easier. Here are some tips on how to approach and support your family member in the search for treatment:
- Communication: Talk openly with your family member about their issues and your concerns for their health. Listen to them with compassion and understanding, without judgment or criticism.
- Assistance: Offer to look at treatment centers with your family member and provide support during their recovery journey.
- Education: Learn the symptoms of substance abuse so that you can recognize them if they occur in the future.
- Support: Being a consistent source of support can provide a foundation for your loved one’s recovery.
- Respect: Honor your family member’s decision to go into treatment and support them through this difficult process.
- Encouragement: Encourage your family member to remain in treatment and follow through with their commitments.
- Motivation: Motivate your loved one to participate in healthy activities like exercise, nutrition, and relaxation techniques to cope with change.
- Patience: Be patient as it can take some time for treatment to be effective.
- Reassurance: Remind your family members that they are not alone and that you are here to support them.
- Involvement: Participating in family therapy can help to rebuild relationships with each other and practice healthy forms of communication.
How to Intervene
An intervention is a commonly used method of interrupting a family member’s addiction and offering them treatment. Typically, during an intervention, family members and close acquaintances come together in hopes that they can get through to their loved one and guide them to accepting help for their addiction.v
When staging an intervention, it’s a good idea to involve a professional who can act as a mediator if a conflict arises. Interventions can be stressful and emotional experiences, however, the chances of your loved one quitting drugs or alcohol successfully are extremely low without treatment.
Even if unsuccessful, an intervention can let a person know that help is available when they’re ready. An intervention can also alleviate the stress on the family members of the individual because boundaries will be set to protect those who are affected by their loved one’s addiction.
Plan to Act Quickly
If a person accepts treatment during an intervention, they should be taken to a facility immediately. Medical detox is usually the first step in treatment for substance abuse. During detox, your loved one will receive around-the-clock medical monitoring as well as medications and therapy to begin their recovery.
From there, a quality inpatient treatment facility is the best option for those who have a serious addiction. Continuing treatment is one of the most beneficial things a person can do for their recovery. After completing treatment in a residential inpatient program, transitioning into an aftercare program can keep recovery at the forefront of your loved one’s mind while readjusting to day-to-day life.
Talking To A Loved One About Treatment
Sending a family member to treatment can be an emotional process, but it is important to remember that the most important thing is to make sure your loved one gets the treatment they need.
The key to sending a family member to treatment is to create an atmosphere where it is safe for the individual to talk openly about their feelings and experiences without judgment. Allow them to express their emotions, however difficult they may be, and be patient and understanding as they do. Ask questions to gain a better understanding of their situation, and be sure to provide support throughout the process.
Above all else, make sure that you convey your unconditional love and acceptance for them, no matter what has happened or how hard it may seem to cope. This will help them open up more and feel comfortable when talking about addiction.
What If My Loved One Refuses
To Talk About Their Addiction?
If your family member is uncomfortable when asked to talk about their substance abuse, they will perhaps avoid conversation or give you one-word answers. Other people will pick fights so that they can scare you away or storm out in a huff. In fact, there are many reasons why someone may be afraid to talk about addiction and entering treatment.
Common reasons why a loved one won’t talk about their addiction include:
- Inability to identify what they’re feeling
- Inability to effectively communicate their need for help
- Anxiety and dread when facing difficult decisions
- Uncertainty about the future and what it holds
- Avoiding feelings of shame and rejection
- Afraid of being misunderstood or judged
- Fear of abandonment
- Fear of the side effects of withdrawal
- Anxiety and dread when facing difficult decisions
- Frustration due to a lack of control
- Feeling like there is no hope or help available
- Uncertainty about the future and what it holds
If your family member is refusing to talk about their addiction, it’s important to remember that no one can force them to recover. No amount of talking can convince someone who refuses to heal.
With that being said, it’s important to continue to offer your support and encourage them to talk when they’re ready. Over time, they may be more willing to open up and share what’s really happening in their lives. By showing them that you care, you can help create a safe environment for them to feel secure in.
Don’t Give Up on Communication
When trying to send a family member to treatment can become frustrating, it’s important to remain patient and understanding. Let them know that you are there for them no matter what. Acknowledge their feelings without judgment and show empathy with your body language and support. Showing love and care at this time is more powerful than anything else.
Asking simple questions can establish trust and make it easier for your loved one to open up. Keep your questions simple and non-judgmental so that they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts with you.
At the same time, showing compassion toward their struggles can help motivate them to seek treatment and start the recovery process. Letting them know that you are always there if they need someone to talk to and that you won’t give up on them can also remove the fear of abandonment from the equation. Being honest about your feelings and expectations for them and the treatment process can help to put them at ease knowing that you are in it together with them.
Responding To Avoidant Behavior
Often people try to confront behaviors relating to substance abuse with a loved one. Commonly, this results in a variety of responses that range from distraction and denial to defensiveness and aggression. These reactions can be seen as disrespectful, but the reaction has nothing to do with the loved one who is confronting the issue. Instead, it is the person’s way of avoiding an upsetting or scary conversation.
Escape measures and avoidance behaviors are incredibly common in people who struggle with substance abuse. In fact, research shows that substance abuse problems are just another form of routine avoidance and escape behaviors that develop in an attempt to control unwanted thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. It’s important to remember that these behaviors are not done out of maliciousness. Instead, they are a way for the person to cope and protect themselves from uncomfortable or unpleasant situations.
Rather than responding with anger or frustration when confronting someone about substance abuse, it is much more effective to approach the conversation with understanding and compassion. Remember that the person is probably struggling with a lot of pain and fear and that your words can make all the difference in helping them start to heal.
Our Top-Rated Programs
At Royal Life Centers, we understand that addiction is a complex issue and requires specialized treatment. Our team of experts is dedicated to providing comprehensive and compassionate care in a safe and nurturing environment. The goal of our treatment is to help you or your loved one not only recover from addiction but also become empowered to lead a healthier life.
We provide a full range of treatment services including:
- Inpatient programs (detox and residential)
- Outpatient programs (PHP, IOP, OP)
- Sober living residences
- Licensed and certified clinicians
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Expressive therapies
- Recreational activities
- 12-step programming
- Recovery support groups
- Holistic and wellness services
- Family integration
- Alumni services
Additionally, we offer family services that create opportunities for families to stay connected and support each other during treatment. Our programs provide education on addiction, how to create a healthy environment at home, and how to recognize signs of relapse. We believe that by helping the entire family heal, our guests will have an increased chance at long-term sobriety and overall wellness.
We are committed to providing you with the highest standard of care and attention, from the moment you first contact us to your journey beyond recovery. Our staff is passionate about helping people find their way back to a healthier life and will provide you with the tools and support needed to make that happen. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Helping Your Family Member Enter Treatment
Royal Life Centers offers medical detox, residential inpatient, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, and outpatient with or without sober housing. We focus on high-quality care that centers around our guests, making the decision easy when sending a family member to treatment.
If you have a family member that needs help, we’re here for you. Call us with any questions or concerns you may have about our program, or anything else. Our treatment experts are available 24/7 to take your call at (877)-RECOVERY.
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