by Paul Lines

Created on: January 02, 2011

For a drug addict, admitting they have a problem presents an enormous barrier, and in the vast majority of cases they cannot get through this stage without help. Many organisations and medical centres have help available, but they cannot begin the process until the addict acknowledges their problem. It is at this time they may need a friend to help. The following provides a five-point guide to the role that a friend can take in assisting an addict to combat his or her addiction.

1. Commitment

Assisting a friend with a drug abuse problem will not be an easy task. If you decide to accept the responsibility the first thing to remember is that it is a long term commitment. If they decide to accept your help you must be prepared to stay with them for the duration of the problem. Anything less could be damaging to their recovery and is not the sign of a true friend. Withdrawal from drug addiction is not something that any person will be able to achieve in the short term; it can take weeks, months or, in extreme cases, even years.

2. Understanding the problem

Drug abuse is a medical disease just like any other illness and this needs to be understood from the outset. Therefore, when you broach the subject with your friend you should do so from a position of care, consideration and understanding, not one of judgement or blame. Your friend is not a bad person here, it is the illness that is affecting their character and behaviour.

3. Communication

When talking to your friend about their addiction it is essential you choose a time when they are not under the influence as this is when he or she will be at their most rational. Similarly, you should be sympathetic but factual in your approach, explaining how you see the addiction is affecting their family, work and social life. If they move past the denial stage and accept your help, either at the time or some later date, then you help them to take the next step.

4. Direction

Once you have your addicted friend's confidence and trust, your next task is to guide in a direction that will provide him or her to the appropriate recovery program. You will need to discuss whether counselling or medical treatment, possibly including a period of rehabilitation, is most appropriate. However, it is essential to have researched the options prior to this discussion.

5. Support and emotional Strength

No-one is perfect. There may be times during the recovery cycle when the addict gives way to temptation. If this occurs you need to be there to provide them with support and emotional strength, not chastise them for their failure. Talking the person through what went wrong and helping them to recover from such failures will be an important part of your task in this respect.

If you want to help a friend with an addiction problem there are a number of organisations that can provide you, as their mentor, with guidance and assistance. These include the addicts physician or national organisations, such as the Centre for Substance Abuse Treatment, Narcotics Anonymous, National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence and the Rational Recovery Systems.

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