Try to keep your own values and beliefs in check. An addict will see the way you act and in an effort to feel better about themselves, they’ll try and bring you down. Hold onto your ideals and help bring them up to your level, don’t fall down to theirs.

You can’t expect overnight results. These addictions can form in a matter of days and weeks, but they take much longer to break out of. Just asking them to get help isn’t going to work. You need to work out a plan and have multiple people that they know and love on the same page.

If it is fiscally possible, you should enroll your loved one in a 90 day program. 30 day programs are a good start, but they have significantly higher relapse rates rates than the more stringent programs. Unfortunately, it often takes a traumatic event like an overdose or an accident for addicts to realize the harm they are doing to themselves and to others.

Support is a major word in an addict’s life. They often feel worthless already because of the drugs, but a disconnected support system is not going to make things better. Try and stand by their side, but if you feel that your safety is in jeopardy, it is okay to remove yourself from the situation. If they reach out for answers, let them know that they can have you back only after they seek treatment.

Addiction is a sickness and it is important to keep that in mind. Don’t get down on yourself and think that they are doing this on purpose to hurt you. They are doing this because they physically can’t stop.