| Drug or alcohol addiction is a sneaky disease. It keeps | | | | If your loved one needs to attend support groups, |
| you believing that everything is under control and it all | | | | offer to go with him. The first few meetings of |
| depends on your will whether you want to quit or | | | | these support groups can sometimes be too |
| not, but in reality it doesn't work that way. An | | | | intimidating for a recovering substance dependent. Be |
| abuser who keeps thinking that "its no big deal" and | | | | there to support him and show him that you care |
| "everything is under control" is in a state of denial. | | | | and all you yearn for is his full recovery. This will |
| This can keep a person in the cycle of addiction for | | | | enable him to gather enough courage to continue |
| years. | | | | attending these support groups for his own |
| Once the addict comes to term with his addiction and | | | | betterment. |
| recognizes that a problem does exist, you can help | | | | Help your loved one tackle difficult situations without |
| the person stay on the road to recovery. | | | | resorting to the familiar drug or alcohol support. You |
| It is likely that most of the abuser's friends and | | | | may start off with facing easier situations like going |
| acquaintances also drink or do drugs. When already | | | | to the bar with him without drinking alcohol and only |
| recovering from addiction, the person may face the | | | | taking soda or any non-alcoholic beverages. A wide |
| biggest problem of sobriety, the loneliness of not | | | | range of emotions are usually expected from |
| having friends to talk to and deal with. To avoid this, | | | | somebody who has been addicted to drugs or alcohol |
| be available to your loved one who is becoming clean | | | | for many years. Often, the reason for taking drugs |
| and sober. Let the person feel that you are available | | | | or alcohol is the person's inability to face painful |
| to talk with and are interested to listen to his stories, | | | | feelings like sadness and anger. Once an addict is |
| so that he may not feel alone and without friends. | | | | back to sobriety, he may feel these old feelings |
| Many drug addicts and alcoholics become sedentary | | | | coming back and may find it difficult to face these |
| as a consequence of their addiction. You can | | | | old enemies without drugs. Be a good listener. He |
| encourage your loved one to stay physically healthy | | | | may also be remorseful of his actions in the past as |
| by engaging in a worthwhile exercise routine. He can | | | | a consequence of his addiction. Allow him to talk to |
| take a walk, jog, ride a bike and play tennis or | | | | you and let him feel comfortable doing it. Do not |
| badminton. You can be his exercise buddy so that he | | | | argue with him. Let his words and sentiments flow. |
| will be encouraged to continue the healthy habit. | | | | Never judge him or his actions. Show your concern |
| Exercise will make him clear his mind of drugs and at | | | | and let him know that you will always be there to |
| the same time it releases endorphins that make a | | | | listen to him and you can be a shoulder he can cry |
| person feel good. This are the body's own "feel | | | | on. |
| good" chemicals. | | | | |