How to Find Treatment for a Loved One
By: Lakeview Health Staff
Published: September 11, 2020

Drug and alcohol addiction impacts the lives of every member of a family. Initially, it may seem like your loved one has control and can stop. Then, they continue to use, and you watch them change in front of you. They are no longer the person they once were. You feel helpless. Learning how to find treatment for a loved one means understanding that they are facing a disease. Often, it means there are underlying mental health concerns as well. At Lakeview Health, we are here to guide and support you through this process.

When you’re ready to help your loved one find the addiction treatment programs they need to succeed, contact Lakeview Health at 866.704.7692.

Does Your Loved One Need Help?

Concluding that you need to explore how to find treatment for a loved one is not always straightforward. You may know that the individual is addicted, but you may want them just to stop using drugs or alcohol. You may even think they can overcome addiction on their own if they try hard enough. This is not likely to happen. Indications that a person has serious addiction issues and needs professional care include, but are not limited to:

  • Significant drug cravings occur when they stop using.
  • Work and at-home responsibilities have become difficult to manage.
  • Their tolerance is increasing; they continue to use more and more of the drug.
  • They have pain or discomfort when they stop using.
  • They are struggling financially or have turned to theft to support their habit.

If you see these types of changes in your loved one — especially when coupled with depression or anxiety — it is critical to reach out for help.

Learn How to Find Treatment for a Loved One

It is not always possible for a family member to force another person into drug or alcohol treatment. In such cases, the best you can do is encourage them. This starts with a conversation. Discuss how drug and alcohol use is impacting your life, not just theirs. Make sure to use concrete examples, such as a missed child’s birthday or a particular time you were concerned about their health. Encourage them to seek help.

In some cases, you may need to be aggressive in creating a treatment plan for your loved one. That means reaching out to a treatment center like Lakeview Health, learning what the center can do for you, and working out things like insurance coverage and fees. Tell your loved one you have help available for them, and explain their options to them. At Lakeview Health, for example, we offer care such as:

Any of these programs can empower your loved one to get sober. We also offer a dual diagnosis treatment program for those who may be battling mental disorders in addition to their addiction. Reach out to us to allow us to help you learn how to find treatment for a loved one.

Putting Words into Action

You may also need to make changes to the ways you encourage your loved one to get help. This includes deciding to no longer enable their behavior. Tell them they cannot be around you when they are using. Make it clear that they cannot use household funds for drugs or alcohol. By making these and similar changes, you can encourage them to finally get help. Family support programs for addiction can also help you understand how your past behaviors have enabled your loved one instead of helping them. Through these programs, you can learn how to heal and in turn, support your loved one on their journey. A family therapy program will help to facilitate the necessary communication your unit needs to reach a place of respect, understanding, forgiveness, and love.

Reach Out to Lakeview Health Now to Get Immediate Support

Learning how to find treatment for a loved one can be a challenge. You want the very best for them. At Lakeview Health, we can provide you with the immediate answers to your questions and help you to encourage your loved one to seek help. Contact our dedicated team at 866.704.7692 for the guidance you need. You don’t have to go it alone.