Drugs do not just affect those who are addicted. The pain and suffering of addiction is far reaching and includes friends and loved ones. Living with, or having a cocaine addict in the family can cause rifts between every member of the family. Many people are torn between trying to “help” the addict by enabling them to continue to do drugs, and wanting to take action to see that the addict gets help. There is an old expression called “tough love” and being committed to getting help for an addicted family member often calls for it. Cocaine addicts seldom (okay, never) just give up the addiction quietly because they see their family suffering. In fact, the addict will deny that the family is suffering.
It takes some diligence to help a cocaine addict in the family. The first thing is to let them know that you are aware that they have a drug problem. Addicts often think they are fooling their family and are well able to hide their addiction, but they are not. Let it be known that there will be NO drugs in your home and (this is where the tough love comes in), throw out any drugs you do find. Offer to take the loved one to rehabilitation. Stay positive but do not allow any excuses or drug use.
Intervention is sometimes necessary. Those who have a cocaine addict in the family need to do what is necessary to help their loved one. It could save a life. In fact, those addicts who have some type of intervention are more likely to seek help quicker than those who do not get intervention. Most addicts who do receive it seek help within a week.
Loved ones have to be able to separate loving the addict and hating the drugs. Drug addiction, including cocaine, leads to violence and can even lead to death. Talking to a rehab counselor can help. They can give you some useful advice about how to handle someone who is addicted to cocaine in your family. The loved ones and family members will have to be strong, so getting help from a rehab counselor can help you to get and stay strong, not only for the addict, but for yourself and the rest of the family. It may be a tough road for a while, but it can be done. The cocaine addict can turn his/her life around and become drug-free.
Author: National Addiction Resources
America's Best Treatment Directory
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