Finding out your loved one has an addiction is a moment in life where you are filled with emotions and questions. You may wonder, now what? Do you immediately take them to a Texas drug rehab or do you wait to speak to them to learn more about the severity of their problem? While each person is unique in their addiction and how they cope with it, there are a few universal tips that you can follow. To help you learn more about your next steps after learning a loved one has an addiction problem, here are a few steps that you should take.

Take a Moment to Gain Clarity and Composure

When you find out that your loved one has an addiction, it can come as a shock. The emotions that come with addiction aren’t just felt by those that abuse substances such as drugs and alcohol – those emotions are felt by loved ones too. Before confronting the person with an addiction, make sure you’ve gained your composure and you’re ready to speak to them. You want to ensure you’re prepared for this moment, so you can be productive when speaking with them and not lead with anger, resentment, hurt feelings, and other emotions that can overcloud our judgement.

Create a Plan of Action That Makes Sense for You

When confronting someone that has an addiction, you want to make sure the timing is right and that you have a plan of what you want to express to them. It’s difficult to plan for an event that is stressful such as this, but trust that you’ll be glad you did. One of the first ways to begin is to find reputable Texas drug rehabs and learn more about the services provided, so you can present this to the person. Many people find that their loved one is more successful when they don’t give them options but present them with a solution right away.

When you’re ready to speak with your loved one about their addiction, carefully select the spot. You want to make sure it is in a neutral environment and that the addict is sober. There are many public places that are still private enough to have such a big conversation at like a park or café. Just be sure that you choose a place that isn’t overly crowded and that you won’t feel rushed. Also, if you go to restaurant, pick on that doesn’t serve alcohol.

As you decide what you want to say and presenting them with information on drug rehabs, consider setting a timeline to get it done in. Go ahead and have a calendar ready so that you can schedule appointments and consultations at rehab centers in Texas. It’s important that you understand you’re serious and that you expect them to take action when it comes to starting the recovery process.

Be Mindful That They May Lie to You

Going through an addiction can make a person lose their moral compass. They may say that they are going to look into rehabs and promise they’ll make an appointment with you, and then they may not show up or continue to abuse drugs and try to hide it. If they are asking for money often and not repaying it or buying what they say it was intended for, they are most likely spending it on drugs or alcohol. 

It’s important that you protect yourself during this time and know that you may not be able to believe them until they start proving themselves by taking actions such as going to rehab. And it’s okay to be straightforward about this when they aren’t taking their recovery seriously. If you don’t want to be around them when they are abusing drugs, then let them know.

Find a Support Group for Yourself

If you are feeling helpless and don’t know what to do after finding out your loved one is addicted to drugs, then find a group that understands what you are going through. Talking it out with others can help ease the emotions and help you better understand what the person is going through. While some people find that they are able to handle the situation and the mental aspect of it, don’t hesitate to reach out to a therapist or other supportive outlets beyond family and friends.

Be sure that you aren’t blaming yourself for the situation and that you know it’s not personal. Addiction is a disease and it can change a person. Rehab centers are designed to help the person recover in a healthy and safe way so that they can find their center and live a happy life. It takes time, but with support, you’ll both be able to move forward in a healthy way.