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I have been sober for 6 years 6 months and 3 days. I am very proud of my accomplishments since I’ve gotten sober and because I was an addict, have a strange insight on coping with and ‘helping’ family members with an addiction. Addictions are like snowflakes; the differ from person to person, and each person takes them differently. They are as different as the individuals that they afflict. An example, and a personal one at that, I was a heroin addict. I liked the way heroin made me feel. I tried cocaine and meth (something that a lot of people I knew wound up having a problem with) and it didn’t suit me. I tried hallucinogens, benzodiazapines, barbiturates, uppers, downers what ever was put in front of me and none of it…none of it felt as right to me as heroin. So with that in mind, figuring out what the person is addicted to and why is the first step to helping them. The next step and this one is important: don’t judge them, ask what led them to this. There is usually a long story there. If the family member gives up the story to you great, if not at least they are thinking about it. When you find the source of the addiction (drug that suits individual + understanding why it suits them + what led them to that drug) it becomes easier to solve the problem that led to the addiction. When the problem at the root is being handled, it takes a load off of the junkie and they are then free to decide to quit. But ultimately it is their strength of will that will end the addiction. The only thing you can offer as help after all of this is your strength and energy and support. Just love them. They need it.
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