If any of your friends or family members has a drug addiction, it becomes important for you to avoid making any negative statements. Here are some of the things that you should never say to a person who’s trying to overcome drug addiction.
Four Things Never To Say to a Drug Addict
1. Full Recovery Is Not Possible
This is completely false and inaccurate. A large percentage of people addicted to drugs are able to overcome their addiction with treatment programs. With effective opiate treatment, heavily addicted drug users are able to live a happy and healthy life. Additionally, making such a statement will only make a person feel hopeless about his or her future and cause a lot of distress.
Look at this great article on the Prochaska’s Stages of Change.
2. You Can Do It On Your Own
Regular consumption of drugs and alcohol over a prolonged period of time can cause addiction. It may cause permanent changes in the way the body and mind function. A person addicted to opiates or alcohol may experience severe withdrawal symptoms. For these reasons, giving up drug and alcohol consumption for an addicted person is not an easy task. Medical intervention often becomes necessary.
Watch this video on treating drug addiction and see how effective the right rehab center can really be.
3. It’s The Fault of Your Family
Blaming family is one of the worst things you can do. There is no denying the fact that environmental factors have a role to play in causing drug addiction. Studies have revealed that in certain cases, family problems drive people to drugs.
- 6.5 million minors in the US live with an alcoholic mother or father
- 40% of alcoholism is passed down through the gene pool
- Approximately 53% of adults in the US have reported that one or more of their close relatives has a drinking problem
However, this is not true in every case. Many children who come from loving and caring families also get addicted to drugs and alcohol. In any case, blaming family will only lead to further deterioration of the situation.
Check out this article from Hope Networks
4. One Drink Won’t Hurt
Encouraging someone who is trying to recover from alcohol addiction to take ‘just one drink’ may prove to be detrimental. It can lead to relapse and make it difficult for the person to recover from addiction. Such a statement shows ignorance and reinforces the belief that you need to drink to socialize with friends and family. Be positive and inspire those who are in need.
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
-Maria Robinson
As a responsible family member, it is important for you to encourage a person to seek professional medical support to overcome addiction to opiates and other harmful drugs.
