by Brittany Murrietta

Created on: September 13, 2007

10 Ways To Help A Friend With A Drug Addiction

1.Confront them about the issue.
If your friend doesn't want their family to know about the addiction, but want to make the first attempt to stop it, be understanding. If they don't want help, DON'T force it upon them, let them come to you. You cannot rid anyone of an addiction they don't want to be rid of. Trying will just get you pushed away or let down.

2.Don't walk away.
An exception is if you are hurt or stolen from in the process of trying to help someone, it's understandable under these circumstances if you don't want anything to do with this problem. Otherwise, try not to abandon those you love when they're in need of your help. Threatening to leave will just put them in more of a depressed state, feeling increasingly helpless and alone, tending to make them want to use more in attempt to subside this oppression.

3.Read into it the problem.
Unless you've had an addiction yourself you will find it most impossible to understand someone else's. Just like the colors of the rainbow, they are all different shades: unique ups, downs, side effects, health and psychological changes.

4.Be there to support them.
Offer to go to meetings with them (it helps for an addict to talk to one that has recovered, it shows them it is possible) let them call you anytime night or day. But ask them in to try turn not to let themselves, or you down, let them KNOW you love and care for them.

5.Do not give into them by giving them money or supporting the addiction in any way.
Addicts from my experience (forgive my stereotyping) are excellent liars. If they ask you for money, don't trust their reasons. If you suspect them of stealing from you to support their habit, it's worth investigating. Helping someone who hurts you or steals from you is a bigger hassle than helping anyone all together; not worth your time.

6.Expect to be let down.
Express your disappointment, but encourage your friend to try again if they can't kick the habit the first few times. Expect to be let down, this way if you are it's not so easy to give up on your friend so quickly.

7.Do not yell at your friend if they screw up.
Getting angry is the worst possible thing to do, there's no reason for that, really.

8.Be prepared to make many an attempt, and motivate them that it is possible.
If they can't break the addiction on their own suggest a rehabilitation center, talk it over with them to sort out any fears or feelings they may have.

9.If your friend recovers, stick with them, keep them occupied.
You don't need to dedicate your entire life to your friend 24/7(and Im hoping they wouldnt expect you to) but in forewarning, helping someone with recovery may take up a good chunk of your time.

10.Think over ways that will prevent this from happening again.
Keep on going to meetings, if they need you let them know they have your support. Don't boss your friend around, their recovery is in their own hands, not yours, but it helps to have a shoulder to lean on when the going gets tough.

All in all remember the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would like them to do unto you. To watch a friend go through this isn't as nearly as painful as going through it ourselves, we have to remember this and keep a tremendous amount of understanding, honesty, forgiveness and patience. Helping a friend with a drug addiction isn't easy, but by just giving them time, love and support, you're making all the difference in the world.

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