Addiction

[LaKecias]

If you just found out or just realized you had an addict in your family, how would you approach them about the problem?

[kroberts13]

my brother was a drinker( heavy drinker)and his wife kept nagging at him bout his drinking,so he drank more then she quit nagging and he finally woke up and realized what he was doing (which was hurting his family by drinking and he also did not have a drivers license he had to go to court and drinking classes to retain his drivers licenses back and pay a healthy fine)know he is a truck driver with a  cdl license and the whole family is happy cause he QUIT on his own.i love him for that.

[Sendmicheck]

It's up to the individual  to want changes.  An addiction is never easy to cure, sometimes direct approach is the only solutions.

[tjung10]

The only thing I am addicted to is my wife. And yes I can say that after being together for almost 28 years.

[Nancy5]

I don't think you can help a person who has a addiction unless they want to help themselves.

[LenoraMinogue]

It's very difficult to approach an addict about their problem, especially a close family member or friend. I think the approach should be during a relatively good moment when they are calm and not in public, somewhere where they feel safe and less defensive, like at home. I think offering support is very key, recognizing their accomplishments as they battle the addiction. But this can all be complicated if the addict is difficult to deal with.

[Tresbn00]

I would let them know that you are concerned, ask them if they need your help, let them know that you love them very much and wish them the best in their recovery. Unfortunately there isn't much that you can do to help a true addict. They are locked in the self focused, and often times destructive, modes. A lot of times they won't even admit to having a problem. I have found that an addict, generally,  needs to sink to their lowest denominator before they make their first real cry for help. Addiction can come in so many forms which is why I addressed this post with generalizations. People can become addicted to anything.  Sometimes addicts substitute one addiction for another-like an alcoholic giving up drinking for smoking or a compulsive eater for working out fourteen times a week.

[mary33716]

who ever has the addiction it up to them to get help and we as family should try and get them help.
family so important so reach out to them and help. I had to do that with my dad who drank alot. now he has not had a drink for 15 years

[natashaspy]

all you can really do is talk to them.  if they arent ready for help, there really isnt much you can do.  sometimes it takes the thought of losing everything to bring someone around.

[reiddb]

My mother-in-law is an alcoholic and there was a family "intervention" many years ago.  She was all lined up to go to a rehab center and she backed out last minute.  Said she could 'lick' it on her own.  She seemed to be doing better for a while, but then it was worse and worse.  She finally ended up bleeding in the middle of the night (rupturing vein in the stomach) and it almost took her.  10 days after making it through the withdrawls  she was soooo yellow and swelled up with liquid.  She has liver failure and she will probably die within a year.  As hard as it is, someone should take the time to say something in genuine love~for their sake and yours.....addictions kill and destroy!

[sak4kat]

Best advice... do not enable anyone with an addiction.  If it's a minor.  Take them for treatment.  If it's a adult .. evaluate the relationship and determine if it's healthier for you to remove yourself from there life.  Ya gotta live healthy and anyone with an addiction needs to be willing to face it... rather everyone else around them just dealing with an addiction and all the problems that come with.

[ancmetro]

    It is really sad to see addicts and how they ruin their own lives!

[darkxtsuna]

I would tell him/her your going to screw up your life if you keep doing it. No joke no laughs just speak it.

[Timberlan127]

If you are close to them you can offer help, to be there for support but unfortunately you can't make them do anything they don't want to do.

[bowrunner]

I spent thousands of dollars on my grandson but he just keeps going back to the drugs so I am thru helping him anymore.  He'll have to do it himself.  I flat out cut him from any money from me period.