If you’re struggling with thoughts of suicide, PLEASE call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
It can be deeply troubling, not to mention overwhelming and confusing, to know how to help a loved one struggling with addiction. We want to help but aren’t sure how. We know we’re not supposed to enable their addictive patterns or take on the responsibility for their recovery, but we don’t know what to do or where to turn, and if we’ve already been enabling our loved ones for so long, it can be incredibly hard to stop. Many of us think of staging an intervention, and we consider enlisting professional intervention services, often provided by recovery treatment centers and psychologists. We don’t know if our loved ones’ issues are serious enough to warrant an intervention, but we don’t want to wait until it’s too late. Many of us feel it would be better to be safe than sorry, and we want to initiate the process, but at the same time we’re afraid that our loved ones will be angry with us for interfering in their lives. We don’t want them to then reject our support, turn away from us, push us away, and shut us out of their lives completely. Sometimes our efforts to intervene can make addicts that much more resistant to the idea of getting help altogether, and if they were considering their options, they’ll soon stop out of frustration. It can be extremely difficult for them to experience their loved ones worrying about them all the time, asking a million questions, giving them endless advice and suggestions, and trying to control them, especially when they feel they don’t truly understand them at all.
Not All Cries for Help Sound the Same
Their signs of distress might become more alarming. Their depression and anxiety might be worsening. They might be losing sleep, having recurring nightmares or flashbacks, or be unable to eat. They might be losing functionality and finding themselves unable to cope with their normal routines. Everyday things might now be burdensome and overwhelming. They might be increasingly sensitive to triggering statements, events or memories. They might lash out at their loved ones, directing their pain outward and deflecting their issues onto other people. Perhaps the biggest warning sign an intervention is needed is increased substance use or time spent on the addictive behavior of choice. We might worry their addictive patterns have become so bad they’ll harm or even kill themselves. We’re terrified when they speak about their suicidal thoughts, ideations or behaviors.
When we see our loved ones struggling, let’s not give into our fear and allow it to paralyze us into inaction. Let’s do something. Let’s talk to our loved ones. Let’s seek out professional intervention services. Let’s get help for the people we love so that they’re not suffering alone anymore.
The caring, compassionate staff of The Guest House is here to support you as you start your journey to recovery and healing. Call 855-483-7800 today for more information.