Convincing a Loved One to Seek Help for their Addiction

No one starts experimenting with drugs and alcohol with the intention of getting addicted. With powerful drugs like heroin, alcohol, and methamphetamine, however, what starts out as recreational use can rapidly become an addiction.

Drug and alcohol addiction takes a terrible toll – up to and including death – on addicts themselves, but there is also a toll on family and friends. Standing by and watching a loved one harm himself or herself through an addiction can be heartbreaking. Family and friends of addicts often struggle with feelings of helplessness

Defining Addiction

There is no magic formula for indicating when a bad habit with drugs or alcohol becomes an addiction. Essentially, when recreational use is causing problems at school, work, or elsewhere on a regular basis, there's a problem, if not an addiction.

Convincing a Loved One to Seek Help

When a person is struggling with a powerful addiction to drugs and alcohol, it's important to note that they have a disease, not a mere a lack of will. Therefore, as with any other disease, the addiction must be treated professionally, often in a rehabilitation program. Otherwise, the addict remains powerless against his or her addiction.

Perhaps the most important way to help convince a loved one who is an addict to seek treatment is to let them know that you are supporting them in fighting a disease and not preaching at them to overcome a personal weakness.