A Better Today
When Your Loved One
Refuses to Go to Treatment
What to Do When Your Loved One Won’t Go to Treatment
The scene is all too familiar for many families. Someone desperately needs help to stop abusing drugs or Alcohol, but he or she simply won’t stop. The individual perhaps doesn’t recognize the harm the substance abuse is causing or he or she simply does not think they can function without their substance of choice. Regardless of why your loved one refuses to stop the situation can be extremely painful.
The first thing you need to do when you have a loved one in the grips of addiction is to educate yourself about the disease. Addiction is classified as a mental illness, characterized by compulsive substance seeking and using, continuing to use despite negative consequences, as well as cravings and a host of other symptoms.
Distorted thinking is a significant issue when dealing with anyone in active addiction. You may see the situation as clear and compelling, however the magnitude of the delusions and thought distortions may make communicating with an addicted individual exceptionally difficult.
Your loved one may not see the problems with using and problems with his or her behavior. You need to understand how the disease of addiction works against those who have it in order to help your loved one and protect yourself. There is a wealth of information online, however, you may want to speak to an addiction specialist to discuss your particular situation and navigate how best to handle it.