Addiction of any kind is a serious and disconcerting disorder that alters the brain. Drug addiction is by far the worse as dopamine receptors activate and trick the brain into believing drugs are rewards like candy or a cash price.
If you’re living with someone with a drug addiction, it will do you a lot of good to leave and set yourself apart because living with people who are addicted to drugs can pose security risks to you. And if you do care so much for them, take them to one of the top rated drug rehabs.
EIGHT PRACTICAL STEPS INCLUDE:
- If the addict is a loved one as opposed to a college roommate and leaving isn’t possible, there are practical steps to take to ensure your safety which is of utmost priority, and the safety of the addict.
- Addiction can affect a household in many ways ranging from anxiety and stress from catering for and thinking about the addict, depression, and anger from the frustration that comes with catering for the addict, financial problems from spending money on therapy and rehab for the victim and it is also a common sight to see victims stealing from their family to feed their addiction.
- Security and Physical danger, from being found with drugs by the police or when the addict reacts to the harmful substances and grows violent. Like I said earlier on if leaving is made impossible, there are a few practical steps to aid a harmonious living.
- One of the first things you should remember at all times is that you are not responsible for fellows addiction. You did not cause it and therefore you cannot fix it. The addict chose his/her own path and just like many other factors in life, you cannot influence this. Remembering this eases the burdens of guilt and self-loathing.
- Your safety and that of everyone else before the victim is paramount so you might want to consider keeping a reasonable distance from the addict before rehab, during rehab, and a few weeks after rehab. Now what you don’t want to do is to completely ostracize the fellow. Ostracizing the addict completely would never yield positive results and he/she wouldn’t even listen to any talk about rehab.
- Get family members, friends therapists, clergy, members of a club or church, or childhood friends to reach out to the addict occasionally. It doesn’t have to be a face to face meeting always. Little things like handwritten notes, calls, voicemails, gifts and other carefully thought out expressions of life away from drugs could really go a long way in helping the addict break free.
- Addicts will always find a way to feed their addiction, your job is to stifle all means necessary. Restrict access to money if you’re in a position to do so. Freeze all credit cards, trust funds, keep cash away from the house and for extra protection, you might want to get yourself a new credit card other than that the addict is familiar with.
- If you have vulnerable people like kids, the elderly, and people living with disabilities in your home, if things begin getting heated, you have all rights to ask the fellow to leave temporarily. Kill the guilt. Remember, your safety first.
- Always have a response plan if things escalate. Like the boy’s scout, always be prepared for any contingency that might arise.
Conclusion: A loved one living with drug addiction is disconcerting and heartbreaking. Apart from the practical steps highlighted above, you could look at the bigger picture and make the world a better place by joining support groups, campaigns, and fund rehabilitation centers for people living with drug addiction.
