As loving friends and family, we might be tempted to offer a hand when we see someone we care for suffer at the hands of addiction. However, we might be surprised to discover that not everyone who needs help wants it.
But that won’t stop most of us, as we are all well aware of where it could end for our loved ones. We also don’t want to see those we love get hurt.
If you have been wondering what to do when an addict won’t go to treatment, then you’ve come to the right place, because you’re about to find out.
Five Actions to Take When an Addict Refuses Treatment
Here is what to do when an addict won’t go to treatment
Offer Support
For most of us, receiving a no could stir up negative emotions and the need to take control of the situation. But forcing, guilting, or arguing an addict into rehab is not the right approach if we want what’s most beneficial for our loved ones.
Recovery is a challenging mental and physical struggle that requires a willingness from the patient. Even if you are able to force, guilt, or argue for someone to get into rehab, the chances of them following through with the treatment and not relapsing are slim.
Instead, the best way to directly approach them is to offer your support and an open line of communication. Addicts might eventually come around to their senses and having that trust and openness will give you a chance to help them when they are ready.
Letting them know you believe in them and are there for them could also provide hope and a sense of encouragement that might motivate them to quit.
Listening, showing empathy, and providing them with recovery resources are all ways to show support and encouragement.
Cut Them Off Financially
If the addict is dependent on your finances to sustain their habit, you might want to cut them off.
Of course, they won’t take this lightly. Therefore, the action must be taken with great care. Try speaking to them first and letting them understand that the financial burden is too much for you to bear. Or, you simply don’t feel well financing a habit that hurts them.
Providing financial support can enable the person to continue their drug or alcohol addiction and it won’t do any good for you or them.
Cutting off financial support could serve as a wake-up call for the addict and motivate them to seek treatment.
If you are unsure how to approach this or don’t feel confident about the process, you could seek the help of a professional to help you communicate the notice. For example, a rehab counselor could coach you on the best way to approach this.
Encourage a Medical Appointment
At times addicts might be too blind to addiction to see how it’s affecting their health. By completing a medical checkup, addicts could wake up to the realization that their health is at risk.
A doctor’s appointment might also provide a non-judgmental and confidential forum for the addict to speak to a medical professional. The addict might trust the opinion of a third party and end up agreeing to go to treatment.
A doctor can also provide information on addiction treatment and other therapies that may be effective in helping the person overcome addiction.
Consider an Intervention
If all else fails, consider the help of an addiction professional to conduct an intervention.
An intervention is a powerful and proven method that helps addicts get into treatment. The strategy consists of having a group of family and friends come together to express their concerns and support for the addict.
The intervention is usually led by an intervention expert who will lead the group and then take the addict to rehab right after the intervention finishes.
Interventions are effective at appealing to the emotional intelligence of an addict and tend to work effectively.
Professional Help
If you are still unsure about what to do when an addict won’t go to treatment, or if all your efforts have failed, it’s time to seek professional help.
Veritas Detox can help you get your loved one into treatment and also offer intervention services for those who need them.
Make sure to contact us today and speak to one of our intervention specialists. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call now!