Telling your family about your addiction to drugs or alcohol is not easy. But, asking for help could be an important early step in your journey to recovery. If you’ve been thinking about how to tell your family that you have a substance abuse problem, but aren’t sure how to go about it, this post is for you. We’ll share our tips for making this difficult conversation easier and more positive for everyone involved – including you.
3 Simple Tips for an Easier Conversation
1. Attend an Addiction Support Group
Although you may be feeling alone and isolated, remember that countless others have already gone through what you’re going through. Consider sitting in on an addiction support group like Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or a secular support group like Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART). Reaching out to other recovering addicts can give you new insight for how to tell your family and what to expect during the conversation.
2. Location is Everything
There’s no getting around it. This is a serious discussion, and it deserves your family’s full attention. Some locations just aren’t a good fit. Avoid noisy places like restaurants, busy places with too much commotion or anywhere it will be difficult to concentrate. Instead, think about a safe, private place where everyone will feel comfortable.
3. Be Honest and Direct
Don’t let the stigma of addiction delay your recovery. You have nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, asking for help is one of the bravest decisions you’ll ever make. Just be careful not to sugar-coat the truth or let your family downplay the severity of your substance abuse. News of your addiction could be difficult for your loved ones to process and they may enter a state of denial.
To help you be more direct, try starting the conversation with a statement like this – fill in the blanks to fit your needs:
[Insert Loved Ones Here], for the last [Insert Time Frame], I have been abusing [Insert Substance or Substances] and I need help recovering from my addiction.
Asking for Help is Hard, but Living with Addiction is Harder
Recovering from addiction is an ongoing process that will require your commitment over time. At The Raleigh House, we know that family members can play an important role in helping addicts seek the professional care they need, avoid relapse and maintain their recovery long into the future. To learn more about our 90-day inpatient addiction rehab program, or to get help now, call us today.
