John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach from UCLA, used to tell his players, “When opportunity comes, it’s too late to prepare.” This adage could apply to a conversation with a loved one about drug rehab. Drug counselors and family members who have successfully played a role in convincing someone to go to drug rehab agree–it’s best to be ready with information and options when they are ready to listen. If you miss the brief window of willingness, things could go in the wrong direction, and quickly.
Family and friends can play a vital role in motivating their loved ones to go to drug rehab, but it is rarely an easy conversation. Many people are resistant to drug rehab because of stigma, fear, or they don’t think they have a problem (denial). This blog article will help you identify the signs that drug rehab is needed for your loved one and will provide practical tips for a successful approach to the conversation.
What Are Signs that Drug Rehab is Needed?
The signs that someone needs to go to drug rehab will vary by individual, but there are several common indicators to watch for. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) buckets them into five categories:
- Feelings—anger, irritability, significant mood swings, and feeling like the day is unmanageable.
- Thoughts—focusing solely on getting and using drugs or alcohol or difficulty concentrating and remembering things.
- Body changes—to sleep, eating habits, and feelings of sickness—occur for reasons that aren’t really explainable.
- Behavior changes—not taking care of oneself, involvement with the legal system as a result of drug or alcohol use, and consequences at work or with friends due to forgotten commitments.
- Connecting with people—has become more difficult, and a person might start avoiding friends, family, and social activities.
Choosing the Right Approach to Convince Someone to Go to Drug Rehab
Approach matters for this conversation, and it is important to trust your instincts. Many factors can influence the outcome, and the approach will differ for everyone. Here are a few practical tips to help you navigate the conversation more successfully.
- Stay calm and compassionate at all times. Make sure you have the energy and are emotionally in a good space before initiating. When you have the conversation, focus on support and love while avoiding blame. You want your loved one to avoid feeling confronted but instead consulted.
- Use “I” statements as opposed to “you” statements. This will help keep blame out of the conversation and allow you to express your feelings. An example of good “I” statements are “I’m worried about your health and want to help” or “I feel sad when I see how drugs or alcohol are affecting you.”
- Learn as much as you can about the drug rehab centers in your area, their inpatient and outpatient programs, and the detox process. You can find this information online, by calling them directly, or talking to other friends and family that might have experiences they are willing to share. While you do not want the conversation to become confrontational, having information at your fingertips about cost, the benefits of professional help, and what to expect during a rehab stay might help you overcome some initial resistance. The more prepared you are with information, the smoother conversations will likely progress with your loved one.
- Have the conversation at a time that is good for your loved one. The conversation is less likely to go well if they are under the influence or highly emotional. Anticipate windows throughout the week that will give the conversation the best chance for success, and prepare for those.
Convincing someone to go to drug rehab is not easy, but luck favors the prepared. The conversation may continue over days, weeks, or months, but persistence and compassion are likely to pay off. Your support, love, and encouragement could be exactly what your loved one needs to overcome their hurdles and enter drug rehab.
Addiction Treatment Services from Buddy’s Ranch
Buddy’s Ranch offers a range of addiction treatment options, including detox, inpatient, and outpatient. Our therapists, counselors, physicians, and support staff are caring, compassionate, and ready to support you and your loved one from detox to recovery. We understand that getting into drug rehab is an undertaking in itself, and we are here to make that as simple as possible. If you have been looking for a partner in care, we hope you will call us today to discuss the next steps.
