Addiction is the inability to stop using or doing something as a habit, especially something harmful. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), addiction requires appropriate treatment.
What’s even worse is if a close friend is addicted to something. Their addiction can take up various forms, such as drugs, alcohol, gaming, shopping, gambling, and so forth.
According to the international classification of diseases, tenth revision (ICD 10), dependence involves compulsion, inability to stop the behavior, continuing behavior despite harm, withdrawal experienced on abstinence, development of tolerance, and decreased enjoyment in previously enjoyable activities. This is also known as anhedonia.
If you notice any four of these six points in a friend, know they have developed a dependence on a drug, which is terrible news. We understand your pain and have put together ten ways that will help you help your friend.
Be non-judgemental:
Unfortunately, people involved in addiction are negatively evaluated for their actions. Even their well-intended efforts are misunderstood. At this point, fitting them into stereotypes may make them retaliative and make their situation worse.
This is why it is crucial not to judge a person struggling with addiction, knowing that it is a medically recognized illness that requires treatment just like any other medical condition. To an extent, it is not under the addict’s control to refrain from their behavior.
At this time, you must talk to your friend about checking into a rehab center. Discussing a sensitive topic like rehab may anger or agitate your friend. The only way to help your friend understand the importance of seeing a rehab counselor is to know how they help.
If someone asks, what is a rehabilitation counselor? You tell them that Rehabilitation Counsellors are experienced professionals who help addicts get back into a healthy community. Remember, addicts might not understand you, so getting professional help would benefit them immensely.
Help them accept that addiction is a problem:
According to researchers Prochaska and DiClemente, drug addicts go through multiple stages. They named this proposal ‘the stages of change model’ or’ transtheoretical model’.
It consists of pre-contemplation (I do not have a problem), contemplation (I do have a problem), and preparation (I have a problem, and I need to do something about it).
Furthermore, it also encompasses action (I am doing something about it), maintenance (I successfully overcame my problem), and relapse (Unfortunately, I used it again).
If your friend is suffering from addiction, aim to make them ‘contemplate’ regarding their addiction to modify their behavior.
Hear them out:
Sometimes the best help a friend can provide is to say nothing and lend a listening ear. People suffering from addiction are bombarded with advice from everywhere, but no one bothers to hear what they have to say.
Listening to your friend might reveal why they indulged in addiction in the first place – if given a chance. The reason might be something as simple as peer pressure or more severe like suicidal thoughts. Hearing them out may give one the proper direction to help a friend.
Give genuine advice:
Seeing a friend emotionally shattered or in a state of denial can be heartbreaking. Remember, a good friend will be honest, regardless of how painful the truth might be.
People who fall victim to addiction will not change their behavior unless they realize its disastrous effects. This is why giving genuine advice is so important. Moreover, let your friend know that what they’re doing is negatively affecting their health, but you’re always there to physically and emotionally help them.
Assist in seeking professional help
Sometimes help and support from a well-meaning friend are not enough. Unfortunately, addiction, especially drug addiction, is associated with many psychiatric illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, personality disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc.
If a co-morbid illness is suspected, it is advisable to seek professional help. Psychiatrists are trained to assess and treat these illnesses, so a doctor’s visit may need to be scheduled if specific red flags are apparent.
People with addiction problems also fall victim to medical illnesses such as malnutrition, heart disease, and stroke and tend to have a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections. Whenever any warning signs are noticed by a friend or a loved one, visiting a general physician is essential to rule out any illness and to ensure appropriate medical care is initiated.
Help them find alternate sources of pleasure.
Addiction keeps one coming back for more because it works on the Freudian pleasure principle. Instant gratification satisfies the ‘ID‘ – the part of the unconscious driven by primitive impulses. To break the cycle, alternate sources of pleasure that are healthier are needed.
Help your friend discover hobbies like sports, music, or other healthy recreational activities. This will help them achieve remission from addiction and hopefully rehabilitate them back to their original life.
Link them up with support groups
Whether the goal is to stop being an addict or to maintain a state of remission, support groups offer a safe hub for people suffering from a common problem to open up. It also motivates them to quit by interacting with real-life examples of people who succeeded in establishing remission.
Don’t forget to keep yourself safe.
Sometimes while trying to heal others, we forget ourselves. Remember, addiction always starts as a novel behavior. Do not indulge in activities such as drug addiction while trying to help your friend.
It may seem like a one-time thing, but that is how addiction starts. Also, by indulging in activities that your friend might be addicted to, you might unconsciously reinforce their behavior, decreasing their chances of improving. So don’t get caught up in the moment and take a break if needed.
Help them set goals
Things become more manageable when they are in perspective. Helping your friend set goals may make it easier for them to quit their addiction. These goals don’t have to be long-term, nor do they have to be extravagant.
They can be as simple as decreasing one cigarette smoked per day for a nicotine addict or subtracting one hour of screen time per day for a gaming addict. Helping your friend set goals will make them feel empowered, hence establishing remission will become easier.
To Sum it Up
Addiction is a medically recognized illness that requires specialist help. Identifying and helping a friend struggling with addiction is of immense importance. Show them unconditional support, be empathetic, and help them understand the importance of getting professional help.
If you found these points helpful, share the knowledge with your friends and family. Remember, a small gesture of help may go much farther than you think!
