Helping a loved one with an addiction to cocaine is not easy. You need a mix of gentleness and firmness in order to help lift her out of the abyss of drug addiction.
Empathy is the key to helping an addict.
Understanding what is going on emotionally and mentally for the addict is crucial.
Hopefully, you will never find yourself in this scenario. If you do, however, there are some practical steps you can take to help your loved one.
Make sure to give yourself time to prepare emotionally before you reach out.
Things you’ll need:
Contact Information for a Detox Clinic Quiet, Private Setting
Understand your loved one’s situation, but don’t make excuses for her. Any drug addiction is a complex situation, and an addiction to cocaine is no different. If someone you know is addicted to cocaine, attempt to discover the factors, such as stress, past abuse and current dysfunctional relationships that have led to the addiction. These factors do not excuse the self-destructive behavior, but they give insight as to the causality of the addiction.
Figure out your role in her addiction.
You are not responsible for the choices others make, but take an honest look at your role. Have you known about the self-destructive cocaine addiction, but ignored it to avoid your own anxiety? If you are conscious of your potential role in the addiction, your ability to help your loved one will be greater.
Sit down and talk to your loved one.
This should be done in a private, quiet setting. Share your concerns, and allow him share his. The conversation should not be a hierarchical lecture, but instead should be a naturally flowing conversation.
Trust your emotions.
You will feel any number of emotions, such as anger, fear, guilt, sadness and even rage. Trusting these emotions does not mean acting out, though. You can feel angry toward your loved one’s actions without raising your voice abusively.
Make your loved one aware of resources that can help him.
Before the conversation, compile a list of resources. Give this list of resources to him and allow him to choose to get help if he wants it.
Check up on your loved one regularly. Make sure that your loved one is getting the help she needs. If she is not getting help, stress your concern firmly.
