There is no doubt that each case of addiction is absolutely unique and requires an individual approach. Despite this, specialists working with addicts managed to select several principles of operation and ways to effectively talk to our loved ones affected by the addiction.
Although it is quite difficult, in the following article we will try to answer the question of how to help an addicted person who does not want our help and how to talk to an addict so that he feels safe and comfortable. No matter how difficult the situation is, it is worth trying. After all, the health, life and happiness of an addict may depend on the decision to accept help.
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Peace and respect – how to talk to an addict?
One of the best answers to the question “how to talk to an addict” is what is known as intervention. Due to its effectiveness, this method of communication has become so popular that it has penetrated into pop culture, and we can meet it, for example, in series or novels. It is about secretly from the addicted person gathering a group of people whom he considers to be the closest. So it can be family, friends or neighbors, in short, everyone who cares about the health of the addicted person.
How to help an addict with the help of an intervention prepared in this way?
The unaware patient should be invited to a place he deems safe (for example, an apartment or office), and then seat him among the gathered. The conversation with the addict must be completely free of reproach, regret, blame, or critical summaries. So how do you talk to an addict?
We help the addicted person – conversation is the key to starting treatment
Our conversation with an addict, whether prepared in the form of an intervention or otherwise, should be based on respect and specificity. It often happens that attempts to initiate dialogue result in outbursts of anger or an escape reflex, so the most important thing will be to remain calm. how to help an addicted person who does not want help? Let’s present her dry facts – let’s talk about how the addiction influenced the life of the addict himself and his relatives.
Let us refrain from predicting the future or trying to recreate the addict’s line of thought. Let’s just take care of factual information. Let us be very specific about it. Avoid generalities such as “you drink and you turned into a bad employee,” rather, let’s focus on information about how drinking has had a negative impact on a person’s career, prevented them from being promoted, or worsened relationships with specific colleagues.
Another rule about how to help an addict is kindness. We must do it in order to increase the chance of a positive effect of our efforts. An addicted person cannot feel that he is lost for us, that the situation is hopeless and that nothing can be done. Let us assure her that we will help her overcome her difficulties and that we will happily coexist in the future.
Consider consulting with a specialist
If, after all, we still do not know how to help an addicted person who does not want help, consider meeting a specialist. Experienced professionals may notice what we simply did not manage to see. You can emerge victorious from even the most difficult situation. It all depends on our approach, efforts and good will. Now you know how to talk to an addict and how to help an addict with the right conversation – perhaps this is what will change your life.
Resources: Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic
