Peer support is a social component that’s crucial to your loved one’s recovery. Your help and support throughout their withdrawal will be pivotal to their success. There are various ways to offer effective and lasting support, including the following:

Provide emotional support

People going through withdrawal need somebody to rely on during the more difficult times. This is because the process of recovery can often be a lonely and difficult road. Knowing you are there to provide words of encouragement and a comforting presence can make the situation easier for your loved one.

Providing emotional support starts with learning about substance abuse, particularly about the withdrawal process. Only then can you take part in empathic listening, shared problem-solving, and display compassion and understanding. But don’t forget to put your well-being first to ensure that you are fully capable of supporting your loved one during this difficult time.

Facilitate routine and a productive schedule

Addiction often leaves individuals with little to no control over their lives, which is why establishing a routine is so important. It helps to have someone else facilitate these routines, which should include setting a productive schedule. This way it provides a sense of structure, stability, and a new normal for the recovering individual.

Start by encouraging set patterns for your loved one’s basic needs such as their sleep, mealtimes, and physical activity. Then you can add productive activities, such as work, recreation, support meetings, and time with friends and family. The most important part is providing them with a predictable and reliable system and room for creativity and agency.

Work with a trusted healthcare care provider

Rehabilitation is a medical process, so working with rehab healthcare providers is an essential part of your loved one’s recovery. By collaborating with the rehab team, you can get expert advice on the appropriate steps to take. You’ll be working with substance abuse nurses who will serve as your main point of contact, especially considering the prevalence of telehealth today.

Professionals with BSN credentials, in particular, are trained to work in home healthcare settings. These nursing practitioners also treat specific health conditions, focusing on disease prevention and health management measures that are personalized for the patient — including addiction and recovery. This ensures that your loved one’s unique needs are met by trusted professionals who are experts in their fields.

Minimize or remove obstacles

During withdrawal, your loved one is sure to experience mental and physical difficulties that will prove challenging. They may be placed in situations where their past habits could be triggered. This can make typical responsibilities including work obligations, financial problems, and relationship issues difficult to handle on top of fighting cravings.

Aiding your loved one may mean taking charge of those responsibilities in the meantime. Help them avoid triggering situations when they’re not ready yet. This way, they can focus on the recovery process without added difficulty. The better they become, the more they will be able to take on the usual challenges that life throws at them.

Supporting your loved one through withdrawal will almost certainly be challenging. It might even mean taking on extra responsibilities as you take on a more active role in their recovery at the very start of their journey. It also involves having the right resources handy, whether it’s a link to sign up to NA or the contact details of your dedicated physician. By doing this, it will make the entire journey much easier until they fully recover.

Piece specially submitted to blog.sober.com

Submitted by: JBurk

Individuals who struggle with substance abuse may want to determine whether or not they are addicted to substances like drugs or alcohol. Wanting to make this determination is a step in the right direction. Often, questioning the potential of addiction is the catalyst that leads to recovery. Answer a few key questions to assess whether or not you are an addict.

What is the True Top Priority in Your Life?

One of the primary ways to determine whether or not someone is an addict is to think about their priorities in life. If acquiring and using drugs or alcohol is the primary objective, then addiction is likely an issue.

When addiction takes hold, the nervous system can only handle one priority. Securing the next fix is the only thing that the body and the brain can focus on. Unfortunately, it means that all other aspects of life take a backseat.

You might notice this happening slowly in your life, or in the life of a loved one. Instead of making time to spend with friends and family, or working on your career, you may find yourself focusing exclusively on behaviors that encourage and support your addiction.

Have You Attempted to Quit in the Past?

Many individuals who could accurately be diagnosed with addiction have tried to quit in the past. If you have attempted to end consumption of drugs or alcohol, but ultimately failed in that attempt, then addiction is a likely diagnosis for you.

Those who abuse substances, but who aren’t addicted, might not suffer any adverse effects if they cease consumption for a few days. Those who are addicted, however, won’t find even a temporary stop possible.

This may be because of withdrawal symptoms. If you are addicted to substances like alcohol and most drugs, then quitting suddenly will cause the body to go into withdrawal. If you experience mild to severe symptoms when trying to quit on your own, then you’re probably struggling with withdrawal. Let that be your sign that addiction is a concern, and take the time to address addiction in a professional medical facility.

Is Substance Abuse Causing Health Problems?

Addiction is a problem even if there are no adverse effects. That’s because while addicts may not face problems today, they can quickly develop in the days, months and years to come. However, many addicts face problems right now. Health problems, in particular, are something to be aware of.

If your consumption of addictive substances results in health problems, but you still consume these substances, then you need to be aware of the likelihood of addiction. Just some of the most common health problems may include gaining or losing weight rapidly, lacking energy, having poor sleep patterns, feeling unwell without access to your substance of choice and struggling with new or worsening mental health conditions.

Are Relationships Suffering Because of a Potential Addiction?

Addiction can interfere with many different areas of life. If you are struggling to maintain relationships because of drugs or alcohol, then addiction could be the culprit.

Addiction can change priorities, behaviors and personality. Rather than making it a priority to spend time with loved ones and be there for them, you might prefer to avoid conflict. Many individuals also avoid their loved ones because they don’t want to confront feelings of guilt, shame or regret. Try to remember that family members typically want the best for you, and that often just means getting you help for your addiction.

Is Your Tolerance Increasing?

Once addiction has developed, users of any drugs or alcohol will begin to see their tolerance increase. Essentially, this means that it takes a larger or stronger amount to feel the same effects over time. Noticing an increased tolerance can point clearly to the formation of an addiction.

It is important to note that tolerance can impact you in a number of dangerous ways. To start, consuming more drugs or alcohol can result in greater health concerns. It also increases the severity of an addiction, making eventual recovery and detox more challenging in the future. Finally, an increased tolerance increases physical side effects and may also increase the financial costs of acquiring addictive substances.

Is Substance Abuse Leading to Financial, Career or Legal Issues?

One of the ways to identify the development of an addiction is to learn to look for warning signs that have been ignored. Warning signs might be things like career problems, financial failures or legal troubles. If these crop up as a result of substance abuse, but consumption of the substance continues, then you are likely struggling with addiction.

It is very common for individuals who are struggling with addiction to have problems develop with serious consequences. For example, many people might lose their jobs, or they might be in serious debt. In other cases, individuals might be in legal trouble and face criminal charges for actions committed when under the influence of an addictive substance.

These problems in and of themselves may not point to addiction. However, they often accompany addiction.

Are You Worried That You Can’t Stop Consumption on Your Own?

Arguably one of the biggest red flags highlighting addiction is the worry that quitting won’t be possible. If you truly think, deep down, that you’ll struggle to achieve sobriety, then it might be best to move forward in the knowledge that addiction is probable.

Once you’ve identified yourself as an addict, it can actually be easier to make changes and seek help. If you’re denying the possibility of addiction altogether, then recovery simply isn’t likely.

Acknowledging addiction means you might be ready to take the next step and seek out professional help. Through things like detox, rehab and ongoing, continuing care, you can achieve sobriety and then maintain it for a lifetime.

Addiction is a problem and self-diagnosis isn’t 100 percent effective. By answering these important questions, however, you will be much closer to determining whether or not you are an addict. Getting that answer can be the first step to seeking help and making a positive change.

Substance abuse is a significant concern, and it can lead to a long list of physical, psychological, financial and emotional problems. No person is doomed to a history of substance abuse, but there are certainly some factors that can increase risk. Exploring six of the major factors that can contribute to substance abuse might help explain addiction or help to prevent it.

1. Mental Illness

It is impossible to separate the connection between mental illness and substance abuse. The two are often found together and mental health problems are undoubtedly a contributing factor to substance abuse. This is especially true when individuals struggle with mental illness but aren’t properly diagnosed or treated.

Dealing with mental illness is a tremendous challenge and it is something that can be overwhelming when there no medical help or medication is sought. As a result, lots of people who suffer from mental illness or a mental health disorder try to take matters into their own hands.

Self-medicating is common among those with mental illness. Trying drugs, or relying on alcohol, can be a means of coping. Unfortunately, as many as half of those individuals with severe mental illness will eventually become addicted to drugs or alcohol.

2. Genetic Predisposition to Addiction

By understanding that addiction is a disease and not a choice, it is possible to delve into the genetic components at play. Research shows that substance abuse and addiction is hereditary, which means that some people are inherently more likely to abuse addictive substances.

Having a genetic predisposition to substance abuse certainly doesn’t mean that a person is destined to addiction. However, it does mean that they may be more likely than another person to try an addictive substance and become dependent upon it. This helps explain why certain individuals can try or use addictive substances repeatedly without addiction and others may become addicted after just one or two uses.

It is difficult to pinpoint exactly how to determine whether addiction or substance abuse runs in the family. However, it likely has to do with the brain’s reward system. People with a larger reward system in the brain, also known as the basal ganglia, are more likely to struggle with substance abuse. The size of the basal ganglia, in turn, can be based largely upon genetics.

3. Personality Type

Sometimes, the main contributing factor to substance abuse is a person’s personality type. Those who are shy and cautious are less likely to try dangerous substances. On the other hand, risk takers are far more likely to struggle with substance abuse.

Individuals who tend to be more cautious and concerned about the consequences of their actions can struggle with substance abuse. However, their personality dictates that they are less likely to try addictive and dangerous substances in the first place. By not trying them at all, the odds of substance abuse development will be far slimmer.

In contrast, those who seek out thrills, adrenaline and risks are more likely to suffer from substance abuse. Individuals who are always looking for something new to try and a new rush to experience, may turn to drugs or alcohol for that thrill. By trying more substances and engaging in risky behavior, the chance of substance abuse in the future also rises.

4. Home Life and Financial Status

Many of the individuals who struggle with substance abuse first dabbled with drugs or alcohol in order to escape from other problems. Difficulty in one’s home life, or financial struggle at an early age, can play a role in the development of substance abuse disorders later in life.

It has to be noted that even people in wealthy families who have strong relationships with their parents can and do develop substance abuse problems. However, these issues are noticeably more common among those who were raised in certain environments.

Individuals raised in families broken by divorce, or where abuse was present in the home, are more likely to abuse substances like drugs and alcohol. A happier, calmer upbringing, on the other hand, can reduce the chance of substance abuse.

Poorer families can still have happy, wonderful relationships. An impoverished upbringing, however, can be more likely to include things like homelessness, food insecurity and lack of proper medical care. All of these risk factors, in turn, may contribute to substance abuse disorders.

5. Peer and Community Substance Abuse

Drugs and alcohol are often tried for the first time in social settings. Even if family life is great, individuals might use dangerous substances with their peers out in the community. For that reason, the type of neighborhood or social group a person is surrounded by can be a major factor in the potential development of substance abuse.

Communities where drugs and alcohol are used widely, and without shame, are also communities where substance abuse is more common. The availability of a dangerous substance is a direct factor that can contribute to substance abuse and addiction. When individuals, particularly young people, see others normalizing drug or alcohol abuse, it can seem less risky. Of course, that certainly isn’t true.

6. A History of Trauma

A history of trauma can have a serious impact on the development of substance abuse. Individuals who have a background of trauma are more likely to use drugs and alcohol, and they are in turn more likely to abuse these substances and even develop an addiction.

Trauma and substance abuse are so linked because those who experience trauma often don’t get the right kind of help for trauma recovery. Rather than benefiting from therapy, for example, many trauma sufferers turn to substance abuse to drown out pain.

Trauma can come in many forms. Often, it is sexual or domestic abuse. However, it can also be things like losing a family member or witnessing a violent act.

Many different factors can combine to create the development of substance abuse. When the signs of substance abuse are present, no matter their cause, seeking help through rehab is always the right choice for recovery.

Substance abuse impacts millions of people around the world, yet there is no clear cause. Addictions form because of a variety of factors, each of which can contribute to the development of substance abuse disorders. By exploring the factors that contribute to this epidemic, it may be easier to seek help or find the best means of treatment for recovery.

Mental Health

Comorbidity is the term given for patients who struggle with both mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders. Unfortunately, this is far more common than individuals may expect. The complications of comorbidity are extensive and can make recovery more challenging.

There is no way to prove whether mental health disorders cause addiction, or whether some individuals are simply more prone to the development of both. Without question, however, the two regularly appear together.

In some cases, individuals struggling with mental health issues aren’t able to get the help and treatment they need. They may not receive medication, therapy or even a diagnosis for things like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or depression. In these cases, individuals can feel lost and frustrated, and they may be more prone to trying or abusing certain substances. As a result, addictions develop in higher numbers than for the general population.

Environmental Factors

Some of the most relevant contributing factors to substance abuse addiction involve the society and environment of origin, as well as where they currently reside. For example, those without proper role models, those who were exposed to addictive substances at a young age or those with limited access to education, support and health care are more likely to develop substance abuse problems in the future.

It is well documented that individuals who try drugs or alcohol at a young age are more likely to develop an addiction. This is, in part, because the brain has not yet fully developed. Using addictive substances when the brain hasn’t yet completely developed means an increase in the development of a dependency.

It is also true that having role models who abstain from excessive alcohol consumption or drug use can go a long way in preventing the same for young people. Children and teens naturally want to copy their immediate elders and those they respect in the community. If substance abuse is rampant among one generation, it is likely that the pattern will be repeated for the next.

Finally, it is vital to remember the importance of adequate health care, education and addiction awareness in communities. Environments where the consequences of addiction are not well publicized in schools, community health centers and doctors offices are environments where addictions are more likely to thrive. Without access to these resources, it can also be more challenging to seek help for substance abuse disorders, mental health or addictions.

Genetic Factors

Substantial research and evidence points to a genetic element in the development of addiction. It is certainly true that addiction can appear to run in families, manifesting itself in one generation after the next. However, in the past this was widely attributed to the environmental and social factors highlighted above.

Today, however, the genetic component is largely considered to be a contributing factor toward the development of addictions and substance abuse disorders. It is believed that certain individuals, by genetic predisposition, are more likely to experience euphoria with drug use. This may mean that they associate pleasurable feelings with the substance sooner, leading to repeat usage.

It is also likely that certain individuals have a hereditary trait that causes the brain, and the entire nervous system, to develop a chemical dependence sooner. This can help explain why when two people try a drug like heroin, only one might become addicted instantly while the other can abstain for months or years without feeling the need to experiment with drug use again.

Trauma

Trauma is often an overlooked contributing factor to the development of an addiction. Individuals who have experienced trauma in their lives are significantly more likely to turn to addictive substances, and therefore are more likely to struggle with addiction.

It is important to define what trauma can be. Trauma can include things like sexual abuse, witnessing a violent crime, experiencing domestic abuse, being neglected in childhood or being a part of a natural disaster. However, trauma is not exclusively limited to these instances. People can and have experienced trauma in a number of different ways.

Trauma, particularly untreated trauma, can cause physical and mental stress. It can lead to feelings of despair as well as hopelessness. Unfortunately, those who experience trauma are more likely to turn to the temporary relief of mind-altering substances, which only worsens negative feelings and can’t offer any true respite.

Personality

This is a more controversial factor, but it should still be addressed. Certain people may be more likely to engage in risky behaviors. These people may, for a myriad of reasons, also be more likely to try drugs or drinking excessively.

Of course, substances with addictive properties lead to addiction. When individuals repeatedly try, use or abuse these substances, it may only be a matter of time before an addiction forms. For instance, a person who aims to experiment with drugs may try a dozen different varieties over a year. Trying 12 different types of drugs will, statistically, be more likely to cause an addiction than a person who is risk-averse and tries one or perhaps no drugs in their lifetime.

Additionally, a risk-taking personality can certainly be combined with any of the factors already discussed above. A person who is prone to risky behavior and also deals with either a history of trauma, a genetic predisposition to addiction, environmental and societal factors or mental health concerns will only be that much more likely to develop an addiction.

There are many different factors that can lead to substance abuse. However, there is only one route for recovery. Sobriety requires professional assistance, medical supervision and a range of treatment methods designed to help aid in recovery and prevent relapse.

Understanding the Intervention

An intervention for drug use occurs when family, friends or other loved ones help individuals struggling with addiction understand the scope of their behavior and how it’s negatively impacting everyone around them. An intervention can sometimes help those struggling with addiction overcome their denial and appreciate the severity of the situation.

Interventions can seem awkward for those involved, but it’s important to remember that the goal of an intervention isn’t to have fun, or create memories, or feel comfortable. The goal is to save someone’s life. Therefore, those participating in an intervention should understand and appreciate the gravity of the situation.

An intervention usually operates by using the element of surprise. The individual struggling with addiction will be greeted by their friends, family or coworkers, who can then explain why drug addiction is harming all of those involved. This is a very personal action, and it can become emotional for the individual struggling with addiction as well as all other attendees. Often, enlisting the help of a professional interventionist will help the process go smoothly.

Advantages of an Intervention

The biggest advantage of holding an intervention is that it can be the turning point for those dealing with an addiction to drugs. Often, these individuals are in denial, and they are working hard to ignore the signs that their substance abuse is wreaking havoc on their lives and the lives of their loved ones. An intervention can also be cathartic for the friends and loved ones involved, as it creates a way for them to feel like they’re helping rather than just standing by and watching events unfold.

The primary objective of an intervention should always be getting those addicted to drugs into the right treatment facility. Ideally, transportation would be available and waiting, and there should be availability in a detox or rehab center already reserved. Then, when the individuals dealing with addiction are aware of the scope of their substance abuse, and can truly understand how it impacts everyone around them, they can take immediate action and begin the journey to recovery right away.

Who Should be Involved in an Intervention

Knowing who to include in an intervention for drug abuse can be a tricky issue. On one hand, it may make sense to invite as many people as possible, so that the individuals for whom the intervention is planned can see just how many people care about them and want them to seek help. On the other hand, inviting too many people may result in chaos, and it may be difficult to have the focus that’s required in a successful intervention.

Individuals with strong religious beliefs might benefit from having a trusted member of the clergy in attendance, and some individuals might benefit from having a beloved teacher at their intervention. Above all, it’s important that everyone in attendance has a close, genuine relationship with the person in question. This isn’t an event where casual friends or acquaintances should be there. Young children, while they may play a special role in the family, shouldn’t be in attendance, as it can be confusing for them to understand what’s going on.

It may also be beneficial to invite an interventionist to help guide the intervention. An interventionist makes sure that the schedule stays on track, and that people are able to speak without feeling overwhelmed or disrespected. For those who are new to the idea of an intervention, but who want the process to be a success, working with an interventionist can be a very good idea.

Intervention Styles and Their Effectiveness

There are a number of different intervention styles, and each has its pros and cons. The most popular types include the Johnson Model, the Systemic Model and the Invitational Model. The Johnson Model is the most common intervention style, and it operates by spelling out clear consequences for the main participants if they don’t seek help. There is still support and freedom from judgement, but the Johnson Model can sometimes create feelings of guilt or shame.

The Systemic Model is an intervention style that focuses on the positive rather than highlighting negative consequences. In this style, an intervention might discuss the advantages of sobriety and why working for this goal is so important. The final intervention style is the Invitational Model. Unlike most interventions, this model doesn’t include the element of surprise, and those addicted to drugs can be aware of the intervention and choose whether or not to attend.

After the Intervention: What Comes Next?

It’s necessary to capitalize on the progress made during an intervention and use the momentum to take action immediately. Addicted individuals should be fully aware of their choices and the consequences they might face if they don’t seek help. In some cases, this might mean being cut off financially or no longer having contact with loved ones or children unless they begin addiction treatment immediately.

Thankfully, the majority of those individuals suffering from drug addiction will go on to seek help immediately following the intervention. They might go directly to a detox facility, or they may enroll in a rehab treatment center instead. Either way, it can be beneficial to have these options set up in advance to prevent any changed minds in the hours or days following the intervention. Make sure that the individuals who are the focus on the intervention aren’t able to use one last time before heading to rehab, but are taken directly to a treatment facility.

An intervention for drug use has the potential to greatly improve lives, but it needs to be planned out and orchestrated correctly in order to be most effective. Often, an interventionist can be the right choice to help guide an intervention and help participants get the treatment they need for sobriety.

No matter what approach someone struggling with addiction wants to take, they should seriously consider entering substance abuse treatment. Although other options might sound more comfortable or helpful, people who enter and stick with professional addiction treatment have a far better chance at lasting sobriety than those who try to handle it on their own. That’s because treatment centers are designed with various ideas in mind, all of which add to the recovery experience that clients must have in order to succeed.

Addiction Treatment Centers Understand Substance Abuse Problems

The staff members that treatment centers hire play a large role in client recovery. Since they interact with clients on a daily basis, what they know, what they teach, and how they support clients can have an enormous influence on the recovery process. Both doctors and people who understand addiction help clients in different ways.

The medical staff at treatment centers are there to assist with health concerns. In the first few weeks, especially during the detoxing period, it’s important for clients to feel emotionally and physically stable or they’ll turn back to substance abuse. Doctors help by meeting with clients to discuss their physical and mental states and prescribe medications as needed. At some treatment centers, that service extends beyond detoxing and continues through the entire treatment process.

Balancing medical care with support from trained individuals who understand substance abuse is very important. While feeling healthy and stable is necessary to get through treatment, it’s what clients learn during treatment that impacts their lives the most. Working with individuals who understand addiction enables clients to learn where their own addiction problems came from, how to cope with future triggers and cravings, and how to maintain healthy habits once they’ve left addiction treatment.

Treatment Centers Only Incorporate Programs That Work

Loved ones and friends will sometimes suggest ideas and programs to those struggling with addiction that just don’t work. They may mean well, but if those suggestions are taken, it could cost people their sobriety. Clients in treatment centers are less likely to have that problem because the programs they are in have been taken by others in the past and have been proven to help people recovering from substance abuse problems.

Many treatment centers only provide evidence-based programs to their clients. These programs usually focus on behavioral and medical problems that stand between a client and his or her sobriety. Counseling, group therapy, and dual diagnosis treatment highlight what these treatment centers usually offer.

Other centers will combine these traditional programs with holistic ones. Along with going through programs that help the mind and body, they can go through ones that help the spirit as well. Creating a balance between the mind, body, and spirit can help clients learn how to cope with the world without turning to substance abuse. Holistic approaches to treatment aren’t usually backed by scientific evidence. As a result, addiction treatment centers that provide these holistic approaches combine them with more traditional evidence-based approaches to recovery.

When Are Clients Ready For The Next Step In Treatment?

There are many phases involved in addiction treatment. People who first start treatment are likely to enter a detoxing program or an inpatient rehabilitation program. After they’ve been in treatment for a while, clients will be able to move into an outpatient program, which grants them more freedom and enables them to integrate back into society while still enrolled in addiction treatment. Once they’re ready, clients can then leave treatment and only go to aftercare programs as wanted or needed.

How long clients stay in a detoxing or inpatient program varies. While it’s recommended people live in an addiction treatment facility for at least two months, it can be longer depending on what clients were addicted to, how long they were addicted to it, and how much they took each time they used. The staff members working at addiction treatment centers can help determine when clients are ready for the next stage of treatment. Since they’ve seen other clients go through the same stages in the past, they can use their knowledge and experience to determine when newer clients are ready and help them transition into the next stage of treatment.

Clients can stay in a stage of treatment longer that necessary if they feel like they’re not ready to transition. Staff members will never kick clients out of treatment before they’re prepared to leave. There will be some resistance if clients try to push to get into the next stage before doctors and other staff think they’re ready. Finding the balance between what clients want and what doctors believe they need is important.

Seeking Treatment For Substance Abuse Is The Best Option For Anyone Wanting A Sober Life

While there are many recovery options available for people struggling with addiction, nothing works quite as well as addiction treatment. Addiction treatment centers provide clients with evidence-based programs led by staff members that understand addiction and are willing to work directly with every person in their programs. In addition, treatment centers hire doctors who help clients maintain their emotional and physical stability so they can get the most out of their treatment.

Finding the right way to start treatment for substance abuse can be a challenge. However, entering addiction treatment and working with trained staff members can give individuals the best chance they have at sobriety.