How to Recognize & Take Action When You or a Loved One is in an Addiction

Addiction can be a difficult and heartbreaking thing to witness in a loved one. Whether it’s a family member, close friend, or spouse, seeing someone you care about struggle with substance abuse or behavioral addictions can be incredibly painful. However, being able to identify the signs of addiction early on is crucial, as it allows you to intervene and get your loved one the help they need before the problem spirals out of control. Some key indicators that your loved one may be battling addiction include dramatic changes in mood or behavior, neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home, secretive or suspicious actions, sudden financial troubles, and physical signs like bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, or drastic weight changes. If you notice any of these red flags, it’s important to have an open and compassionate conversation with your loved one about your concerns.

Recognizing Addiction in Yourself : It can be even more challenging to recognize the signs of addiction in yourself, especially when it comes to prescription drug abuse. Many people struggling with prescription drug addiction may rationalize their use, believing they “need” the medication or that their use is justified because it was prescribed by a doctor. However, signs like taking higher doses than prescribed because the old dose isn’t working anymore, feeling unable to function without the drug, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when stopping or between doses, and prioritizing drug use over other important aspects of life are all indicators that addiction has taken hold. If you find yourself hiding your drug use, making excuses, or feeling ashamed about your reliance on prescription medications, it’s crucial to be honest with yourself and seek professional help. Addiction is NOT a disease as once theorized, so, you’ll need to spend a few days in medically supervised detox, and then you can enjoy an enjoyable Biblical Recovery 😊. The first step, however, is acknowledging and accepting the fact that you need help.

Approaching the Situation with Empathy: When addressing addiction with a loved one, or even with yourself, it’s vital to approach the situation with empathy, care, and a non-judgmental attitude. Addiction is complex and is often rooted in underlying mental health issues, trauma, or other deeply personal struggles. Your loved one, or even you, are likely feeling ashamed, scared, and resistant to the idea of getting help. Rather than lecturing or issuing ultimatums to a loved one, try to have an honest, heartfelt discussion where you express your sincere and non-judgmental desire to support them. Let them know you’re coming from a place of God’s love and that you’re there for them, no matter what. Avoid enabling behaviors like making excuses or shielding them from the consequences of their actions, as this can inadvertently prolong the addiction. Instead, offer compassionate encouragement and make it clear you believe they have the strength to overcome this challenge. Let them also know that their faith in Jesus Christ will be the most powerful catalyst in healing them for life.

Encouraging detox and Recovery: If your loved one, or you yourself, acknowledge there is a problem and express a willingness to get help, it’s important to act quickly to connect with appropriate resources, especially with in-patient medically supervised detox. Given time to ‘think’ about it, will delay you due to the nature of the addicted mind. The addicted mind will say, ‘later’. You may want to look into what’s available to help your loved one (or yourself) ahead of time such as in-patient detox, Christian online recovery, support groups, church groups, etc, and offering to assist with the intake process or accompany them to appointments. Be prepared that your loved one, or yourself, may experience setbacks or be resistant at times. Just remember that addiction recovery is NOT a lifelong journey, but a one time period of recovery until you fully recover. Yes, there are some ups and downs; however, God heals addiction for life. To fully recover with our online recovery coaching center, it takes anywhere between 6 to 24 months and you’re done! Remain patient, positive, and continue offering your unconditional support. Encourage building a strong support network. Most importantly, make sure your loved one, or yourself, knows that you believe in their ability to achieve complete healing and reclaim their life with a beautiful hope for their amazing future.

Have a blessed rest of your day as you make today the day you begin your new recovery journey, or encourage a loved one to begin theirs, knowing that both addiction & recovery have an end.