Suicide and addiction. Too often, we hear these words in the same breath.

At face value, the connection feels logical. Think of celebrities who die by suicide—often there’s the implication, if not outright fact, of a struggle with substance misuse.

At the most basic level, “what suicidality and addiction share is the desire to escape from pain and distress,” says Michael Groat, Ph.D., director of psychology at Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, CT. It’s pain that often draws from a shared landscape of suffering that includes childhood trauma and abuse, economic hardship, chronic physical pain, and mental health issues such as bipolar disorder and depression.

But what exactly is the link? And can suicidality or addiction actually lead to the other?

Not everyone with addiction issues contemplates suicide. And not everyone who contemplates or attempts suicide struggles with addiction. Often, however, the paths converge and feed a loop of misery.

“Someone may turn to an addictive substance or behavior as a way to cope with pain in their life. But addiction then creates its own negative cascade,” says Groat.

A person struggling with addiction may eventually lose their job, their relationships, and their home as their habit takes over their life. As their addiction deepens, the pain they feel may grow stronger. As a result, they may begin to see suicide as their only way to escape.

“If you talk to people who have reached the point of considering suicide, many don’t actually want to die. They want relief from their suffering,” Groat says.

STATISTICS ———————————–

Hard Facts About Substance Use Disorder and Suicide

Under the distorting and disinhibiting influence of addictive substances, people in their most desperate hours may then be more likely to take impulsive action. Indeed, acute alcohol intoxication is present in 30% to 40% of suicide attempts, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and opioids are present in about 20% of people who die by suicide.

Next to depression and other mood disorders, substance use disorder is the top risk factor for suicide, according to SAMHSA. People who abuse alcohol and/or drugs attempt suicide six times more often than those in the general population.

While all substance use disorders are associated with heightened suicide risk, alcohol and opioid abuse are clear standouts, increasing a person’s likelihood of dying by suicide by 10 and 14 times, respectively, per a 2018 study published in American Journal of Psychiatry Residents’ Journal. Male deaths by suicide outnumber female by almost four to one generally, says SAMHSA.

Gambling, Sex Compulsion, and Suicide Risk

It’s not just addiction to substances that’s at issue. Addictive behaviors are strongly associated with suicide, too.

“A lot of people don’t think of problem gambling as an addiction because a person isn’t using a substance. But the effects of gambling addiction can be devastating,” says Shane W. Kraus, Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Among those who seek treatment for problem gaming, as much as 30% report having made suicide attempts.

Even stronger links have been found between suicide and compulsive shopping and compulsive sexual behavior. Problem gaming, such as playing video games online, is a likely cause of suicidality as well, but more research is needed to be certain.

“People often drink excessively or use drugs to escape their problems. Addictive behaviors also provide a kind of distraction,” says Groat. “When you win while gambling or buy something new, it delivers that excitement, that needed hit of dopamine. In the short term, you don’t have to think about your issues. You don’t have to deal with your unhappiness. But over time, behavioral addictions make problems worse.”

Addiction, Mental Illness and Suicide

People have increasingly accepted evidence showing that mental illness is a disorder of the brain, not a personal frailty.

Addiction—specifically substance use disorder—falls under the umbrella of mental illness. As with other psychiatric disorders, a person’s risk of developing an addiction can be influenced by their genes, their own physical makeup, and their environment.

“Unfortunately, some people still believe addiction has to do with people’s moral failings. That’s why there’s still so much stigma around it and why a lot of people don’t seek help,” says Kraus.

Now consider these realities about the dangerous and common collision of addiction with other mental health disorders:

• 90% of people who die by suicide have one or more psychiatric disorders. Risk is highest among patients with mood disorders like bipolar, depression, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders.
• People with psychiatric disorders are also at much higher risk of addiction. Among people with a mood disorder, 32% are found to also have a substance use disorder. In the absence of effective treatment or before an illness is even identified, many self-medicate, “often turning to substances or engaging in activities like gambling as a way to find relief from their negative feelings,” says Groat.
• When mood disorder and substance use disorder coexist (called “comorbidity”), the risk for suicide escalates considerably. For instance, men with both depression and alcohol use disorder have the highest long-term risk of suicide of all groups, around 16%.

Other Risk Factors for Addiction and Suicide

Not everyone who struggles with addiction and becomes suicidal starts out with a diagnosable mental health issue.

For example, “a lot of young people might begin using drugs or gaming intensively as a way to cope with feeling lonely, sad, or anxious,” says Groat.

Poverty and abuse can also lead a basically healthy person to seek escape through addictive behaviors. Peer pressure, easy access to addictive substances, and exposure to family members with addiction issues can raise a person’s risk of turning to drugs, alcohol, and addictive behaviors, too.

Many people are able to dip into potentially destructive coping behaviors and eventually move past them. Or they avoid them all together.

“There are plenty of high-achieving people who come from a history of trauma and pain,” says Groat.

There are also people who get by with low-level substance use or compulsive behavioral disorders that detract from their life but don’t reach crisis levels. Think of functional alcohol misusers, who nip into the bottle throughout the day yet still manage to keep a job. Or a long-time gambler who might have had a nicer house or paid for his kids’ college had he not blown so much on craps.

But others may be more vulnerable and find it harder to control their use or behavior, probably by some combination of genetic vulnerability and environmental factors.

“They then get into a spiral that creates its own problems. And people who didn’t start out with a mental health issue may end up with one because of their addiction,” Groat says.

If left untreated and allowed to spiral, that combination of addiction and comorbid mental illness can then lead a person to a desperate point. And in many cases, that point can be thinking about or attempting suicide.

TREATMENT ———————————–

The Challenge of Finding Treatment for Suicidality and Addiction

Considering how closely linked addiction and suicide are, one might assume that treatment options are plentiful.

To some extent, that’s true for people who have suicidal ideation and are also struggling with behavioral addictions like gambling. Guided by a licensed practitioner, talk therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy can teach skills to reduce urges and help people replace unhealthy thoughts with positive or adaptive ones.

While there are currently no FDA-approved medications that specifically target addictive behaviors, emerging research has shown that some drugs can effectively reduce addictive urges. There are also peer-led support groups and treatment programs that specifically target behavioral addictions.

The same cannot be said, however, for suicidality and substance use disorder, despite how commonly these two issues co-occur.

Certainly, there are places and professionals that treat patients who are at risk of suicide. And there are counselors, peer-led support groups, and rehab facilities that deal with substance use disorder, increasingly with the help of medications that ease recovery by blocking cravings and eliminating withdrawal symptoms.

But people struggling with both suicidality and substance dependence too often find themselves “in a murky gray area,” says Groat.

Someone may be referred to a mental health provider for their suicidal ideation and to a substance abuse counselor to address their addiction. This may work in some cases, but often care can be fragmented and patients receive mixed messages and conflicting advice from their different providers.

What’s more, some mental health specialists and facilities require potentially suicidal individuals to first deal with their substance dependence before coming on as patients. But many inpatient and outpatient rehab facilities will not take patients who are actively suicidal.

The tragic result: Families trying to help loved ones with alcohol or drug and suicidal ideations may not know where to turn at their most desperate time.

“It’s a huge limitation of the mental health field and a symptom of our broken mental health care system,” says Groat.

What You Can Do ———————————–

The Best Approach to Co-Occurring Suicidality and Addiction

This doesn’t mean help can’t be found. It just means you have to know how and where to look for a facility or specialist that treats dual diagnoses or provides what’s called “co-occurring care.”

If matters aren’t immediately life threatening, you can see a primary care provider, emphasize that addiction and suicidality are both at issue, and ask for a referral to a place or person that provides co-occurring care.

If you don’t have or want to see a physician, call the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, describe what’s going on, and ask for a referral to a place or specialist who can treat dual diagnoses.

Whichever way you go and whatever possibilities you find, “you need to ask questions,” says Groat. Ask what their experience is with comorbid suicidality and addiction. Ask if they take a dual approach to treatment and what that approach entails.

“There unfortunately isn’t a way that I know of to quickly identify who is most likely to provide this kind of care. But I find that many therapists who specialize in suicidal ideation are also used to working with people who have substance use issues,” says Groat. “I also find that a lot of people and places that treat bipolar disorder are accustomed to treating substance abuse and suicidality because both are relatively common among people with BPD.”

Psychology Today’s website has a directory of therapists who specialize in bipolar disorder, as well as directory of therapists who specialize in suicidal ideation. There’s also a directory of licensed therapists who specialize in substance use disorder. All can provide helpful leads.

It may take some effort to find it, but there is support out there that can help you deal with the vicious cycle of addiction and suicidality.

“If you are able to find someone who can listen and understand how bad you feel … a therapist who ‘gets’ you and doesn’t judge you for your addiction … and effective medication … it can change the course of your life,” says Groat.

If you or someone you care about is in immediate crisis and is actively planning to hurt themselves or attempt suicide, call 988, go to an emergency room, or call 911.

Notes: This article was originally published July 7, 2023 and most recently updated July 24, 2023.

The post Addiction and Suicide: What’s the Link? appeared first on My Blog.

The potential for undue influence has become increasingly significant in this era of digital interconnectivity. Undue influence can distort our perceptions, manipulate our decisions, and sometimes jeopardize our autonomy and mental health. As an expert in cults and mind control, I’ve studied and fought against the deceptive tactics cults of all kinds use for years. Here are some essential strategies to protect yourself online from undue influence.

1. Understand What Undue Influence Is

The first step to protecting yourself is understanding what undue influence is. It refers to a situation in which an individual or group exerts unreasonable control over another person’s behavior information, thoughts, and emotions (BITE model). In the digital realm, undue influence can take many forms: disinformation campaigns, persuasive advertising, propaganda, and even manipulative content designed to induce fear, uncertainty, or dependency. In the case of QAnon, it actually creates in targets a pseudo-identity; to family, coworkers, and friends, the person seems to have developed a radical personality change.

2. Develop Media Literacy Skills

In an age of fake news, it is crucial to develop media literacy skills. Such skills involve analyzing, evaluating, and creating media in various forms. Become a discerning consumer of information; verify the source, check for credibility, and look for inherent biases. Here is an excellent media bias chart, produced by Adfontesmedia.

3. Maintain a Healthy Skepticism

Maintain a healthy skepticism towards online information, especially if it seems too good to be true or incites extreme emotional reactions. Beware of confirmation bias, which seems to validate your preexisting beliefs. Avoid sharing content until you’ve confirmed its validity. I usually want to know that reputable news sources like Associated Press have covered the story.

4. Prioritize Privacy

Privacy is paramount. Delete as much data as you can about yourself. Be mindful of what information you share online, and always ensure that your online activities are secured through reliable antivirus software, VPNs, and safe browsing practices. Review all policies on platforms, especially “free” ones: If you aren’t paying, then you are the product, as, in many cases, they are selling your data.

5. Utilize the BITE Model of Authoritarian Control

I developed the BITE (Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional) model to help people understand and identify instances of undue influence. Online, this could manifest as websites or groups that control your behavior, limit your access to balanced information, manipulate your thoughts, and exploit your emotions. Awareness of such tactics can empower you to identify and avoid potential undue influence online.

6. Learn about The Influence Continuum

The BITE model is best understood within the context of the Influence Continuum, a tool I developed to help people recognize the line between ethical and unethical influence. At one extreme is respect for individuality, encouraging critical thinking, and informed consent. Conversely, there is manipulation, demands for obedience, and deception. Understanding where influence falls on this continuum can equip you with the tools to resist undue influence. BITE model behaviors indicate unethical authoritarian control. The worst authoritarian control gives rise to dissociative disorder in acolytes as the result of the creation of a pseudo-identity in the image of the cult leader or ideology.

7. Be Mindful of Time Spent Online

A healthy mind requires, on average, eight hours of restorative sleep. Turn off your smartphone an hour or two before bedtime. Ideally, keep your phone out of your bedroom. Limit the time you spend on platforms known for hosting manipulative groups. Prolonged exposure can gradually desensitize your skepticism and make you susceptible to undue influence. Remember, AI is often used to press your emotional buttons to keep you on the platform.

8. Utilize Available Resources

Numerous resources are available for those seeking to better understand undue influence and mind control. Use resources from reputable mental health and cybersecurity organizations to help safeguard your online experiences.

By incorporating these steps into your digital life, you can protect yourself from undue influence in the online world, ensuring that you can think and act independently, free from manipulation. Remember, everyone deserves the right to live free from undue influence. It is your mind. Only you should control it!

References

Marci, C. D., MD (2022). Rewired: Protecting Your Brain in the Digital Age. Harvard University Press.

Combi, C. (2015). Generation Z: Their Voices, Their Lives. Hutchinson.

Orlowski-Yang, J. (Director). (2020). The Social Dilemma [Film]. Exposure Labs.

Viken, K. (Director). (2020). People You May Know [Film]. AMC Plus Documentaries.

Amer, K., & Noujaim, J. (Directors). (2019). The Great Hack [Film]. The Othrs.

The post How to Protect Against Undue Influence Online appeared first on My Blog.

Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD 

Updated on October 03, 2021

 Medically reviewed by 

John C. Umhau, MD, MPH, CPEPrint 

Navigating conversations with someone in your life who is living with an addiction can be challenging. How can you offer your love and support, avoid miscommunications, and protect your own boundaries all at the same time?

Though not all people living with addiction are the same, there are some communication strategies that can help you show support and compassion.

 What to Do When Your Addicted Loved One Lies

Be Kind

Show that you care by speaking with kindness and understanding.¹ Addiction is so stigmatized in our society that people who have addictions often expect others to criticize, insult, belittle, and reject them.

By accepting the person with an addiction—even if you don’t accept their behavior—you can start to build bridges to forgiveness and their recovery.

Avoid Saying This

• You should be ashamed of yourself for abusing drugs.

Try This Instead

• Everyone needs help sometimes. You don’t have to be ashamed of your addiction.

Thoughtfully Choose Your Words

Remember that language matters, and communicate as respectfully as possible. Avoid using language that promotes harmful stereotypes about addiction. Some words can negatively influence how people with addictions feel about themselves and about their ability to recover.

For instance, people often use the word “clean” to describe someone who is drug-free. However, the use of the word clean implies that the person who is addicted is “dirty” when they are using drugs.

Avoid calling them names like “addict” or “junkie.”² A person’s addiction shouldn’t define who they are. Being called an “addict” can feel dehumanizing. Try using person-first language, such as “person with an addiction.”

Avoid Saying This

• I can’t believe you’re a junkie. When are you getting clean?

Try This Instead

• I’m sorry you’re struggling with your addiction. I am here to help support you.

Educate Yourself on Addiction

Our society often blames people for their own addictions as if it is a moral failure on the person’s part. Make sure that before speaking to your loved one, you understand that addiction as a disorder. The more knowledge you have about addiction, the better you’ll be able to communicate.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes addiction as “an inability to stop using a drug; failure to meet work, social, or family obligations; and, sometimes (depending on the drug), tolerance and withdrawal.”³ Currently, people in the medical community more often use “substance use disorder” to refer to addiction.

There is still a lot of stigma surrounding addiction. Harmful beliefs including that people with addictions are selfish, lazy, and destructive are still common. Watch your tone of voice and make sure you are not speaking to your loved one in a blaming or accusatory tone.

Learn more about addiction from reliable medical sources, and try to understand your loved one’s point of view.

At the same time, don’t assume you know everything about their addiction simply because you do research. Each person with an addiction is a unique individual with their own experience.

Avoid Saying This

• Why don’t you just stop using drugs? You’re being selfish.

Try This Instead

• You are still my friend, and I care for you no matter what. Is there any way I can help?

Listen More Than You Talk

An important part of communicating is listening to what the other person has to say. When someone with an addiction confides in you, try to listen without interrupting or criticizing.¹ Even if you don’t agree with what they are saying, it’s important to withhold your judgment.

You also don’t have to make their addiction the main focus of every conversation you have with them.

You don’t want to make them feel like you’re checking up on them or assuming the worst about their condition.

Continue to ask them about their weekend plans or invite them to see a movie with you. Speak to them the same way you would if they didn’t have an addiction. Remember that they are still a person with likes, dislikes, opinions, and desires.

Avoid Saying This

• What are you doing? You’re not using again, are you? Why aren’t you calling me back?

Try This Instead

• Hey, do you have any plans this weekend? I would love to grab dinner if you’re free.

Set Boundaries

Communicate through your actions as well as your words.⁴ Remain consistent in your message so that your loved one doesn’t misunderstand what you want or expect of them.

For example, if you tell your partner that their drinking negatively affects you, don’t offer to split a bottle of wine with them over dinner. You want to communicate your boundaries effectively with someone who has an addiction.

Communicating with someone who has an addiction can also be hard if you have a history of supporting the person’s addictive behavior.¹ They might be surprised you are speaking up instead of enabling or ignoring their addiction. Letting them know that they act in ways that hurt you may even help motivate them to get help.

In general, try using “I feel” statements to communicate with them.⁵ Shift from putting the blame all on them to taking responsibility for your part in the relationship.

Avoid Saying This

• You’re so annoying when you drink. I can’t even talk to you when you get like this.

Try This Instead

• I feel disrespected when we have a conversation after you’ve been drinking. I think it’s best we’re both sober when we interact from now on.

Believe Them

If your friend or loved one chooses to speak to you about their addiction, don’t disagree with what they’re saying. For instance, if they tell you they think they have alcohol use disorder, don’t respond by saying “Come on, you don’t have a drinking problem.”

Your perspective on another person’s addiction is not the reality of their experience. Trust that they know themselves. If they say they are addicted, believe them. Someone opening up to you about their addiction is likely a sign that they trust you. Respect how difficult it might be for them to talk about their addiction.

You also don’t want to make excuses for them. Telling them that one drink “doesn’t count” for instance, will only enable their behavior. Ultimately, they are responsible for their addiction. But you should do your best as their friend or loved one to show that you support them and their recovery.

Avoid Saying This

• Come on, you can have one drink. It’s fine.

Try This Instead

• I respect that you’re not drinking, and I’m proud of you for taking care of yourself.

 The 7 Best Online Sobriety Support Groups of 2021

Don’t Tell Them What to Do

You want to help your loved one with their addiction in any way you can, but you can’t control exactly how they do it. They may have unconventional ways of looking at their addiction, or maybe they’re experimenting with alternative therapies or treatments.

As long as they aren’t causing more harm to themselves or others in the process, you can show them that you respect their way of making positive changes.⁴ Rather than dictating what they must do, ask them how you can help.

For instance, saying “Why haven’t you gotten help already?,” or telling them what they “should” and “shouldn’t” do comes across as condescending. You want to avoid putting added pressure on them and instead, be a trusted friend that they feel safe with.

Avoid Saying This

• You should just quit cold turkey. It worked for someone else I know.

Try This Instead

• I want you to feel your best. I can help you research treatment centers or therapists if you’d like.

 The Best Online Therapy Programs We’ve tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain.

A Word From Verywell

To communicate with a loved one who is living with addiction, start by educating yourself, being aware of the language you use, and setting healthy boundaries. You can support them while also supporting your own well-being. At the end of the day, you want to let them know you care about them and will support them in any way you can.

If you or a loved one are struggling with substance use or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. 

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database.

By Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD
Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a psychologist, professor, and Director of the Centre for Health Leadership and Research at Royal Roads University, Canada.  

The post How to Communicate With Someone Who Has an Addiction appeared first on My Blog.

Although recovering from drug or alcohol abuse can be an intense and unpredictable process for many, addiction experts around the world have noticed a trend in patients that eventually see lasting change. It takes a great deal of strength and perseverance to go through rehab, and the decision to lead a life free from drugs and alcohol is only one step. For many recovering addicts, even getting to that step is difficult.

The stages of recovery have gained recognition because therapists have discovered that each stage requires different strategies in order to effectively treat the client. Although there are five proper stages (Pre-Contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance), they can also be separated into “early,” “middle,” and “late” stages.

For instance, a client that is in the Contemplation stage will also be considered in the “early” phase of recovery, meaning that strategies focusing on immediate concerns (curbing cravings, abstaining from use, preventing relapse) should be put front-and-center, while later stages of recovery may be more focused on rebuilding relationships. By recognizing where each client is on their journey to sobriety, a therapist can begin to understand how to help them rebuild their life in a structured, orderly fashion.

Differences from Person to Person

By all means, this journey is not the same for everyone. Some may make progress, only to regress back a few stages later on. A certain amount of people may even have to start over multiple times. Nobody is perfect; the important part is the continued urge to change.

While this ability varies from person to person, it demonstrates that these stages of recovery do not come from the therapist. They come from within the patient.

Pre-Contemplation Stage – Typically, people in the pre-contemplation stage have not yet admitted to themselves that they have a problem. In these cases, they are usually going through the motions due to some form of pressure, whether it is from their spouse, their family, their employer, or the police.

At this point, many addicts will avoid any conversation about addiction in fear that others may try to change them. If someone tries to stage an “intervention” at this point, it will probably be met with extreme denial.

People in the pre-contemplation stage often feel that their addiction is the result of a number of factors, like their job, home life, or genetic makeup. In many situations, patients remember their Pre-Contemplation stage as one of the most hopeless periods of their life. Some even hit what is commonly referred to as “rock bottom,” which can lead to feelings of Contemplation regarding their addiction. Once they’ve recognized that they have a problem, they have moved out of the Pre-Contemplation stage.

Contemplation Stage – Even if a person is struggling to understand the root of their addiction and how to recover, simply thinking about potential courses of action to take is a gigantic step forward. Some individuals remain in the Contemplation stage for months, with only vague plans on how to move forward. Again, even getting this far is great progress.

While regular use may continue during this phase, contemplators report enjoying their vices less, and also report that they’re using more. This increases their feelings of hopelessness, but these are often combatted by uplifting feelings of potential for change. Once users shift more into thinking about a future free from drugs, rather than lingering on their past, they will be ready to move into the next stage of recovery.

People nearing the end of this stage often say that they no longer feel “hopeless.” Instead, those feelings are replaced by simultaneous excitement and anxiety.

Preparation Stage – Once people reach the Preparation stage, they’ve been fueled by their excitement and have made solid plans for recovery. Whether this is through a pledge of abstinence or admittance to an addiction recovery center, people who are preparing for a life free from drugs have more than just a vague notion of how they want to get better. Even just picking a day, or a week, or a month, or a year to focus on recovery can help patients put themselves into the Action stage. An addiction treatment center can help guide patients on how to handle their addiction and give them the necessary tools to overcome their drug and alcohol addictions for good.

Occasionally, patients report having to conquer feelings of ambivalence prior to getting out of the Preparation stage. However, once their plan of action has been set on a committed timeline, they usually move on without an issue.

Action Stage – In this stage, people engage in the bulk of what they would consider to be “recovery.” In short, they change either their behavior or their surroundings in order to enact change.By enacting the change for which they have been preparing, recovering addicts build their sense of accomplishment and achievement. Although this stage often requires the most effort on the part of the person, it’s also the most important stage since it will be the bedrock for their continued recovery..

This is often the first stage that others can see from the outside looking in. Addicts often go through the first three stages while facing criticism that they aren’t really changing. While it takes a great deal of time and effort to get to this stage, those that get here report feelings of satisfaction and self-worth that their internal efforts were valuable after all.

Maintenance Stage –  Only through great commitment is great change truly possible. Once clients are “done” with the Action phase, they often move back into their familiar surroundings. Sometimes, they are able to view their life anew and make a continued effort to better themselves. Unfortunately, many people face relapse when introduced to an environment reminiscent of their illicit past. Sometimes even visiting an old friend can trigger urges that lead back to stage one.

The maintenance stage is so immense that it encompasses the entirety of the “late” recovery phase. While there are many physical actions that can be taken to avoid falling into old habits (losing your dealer’s phone number, taking up a new hobby), true maintenance is about using your newfound sobriety to explore the root of your addiction. This way, the addiction has less of a chance of manifesting as something else entirely, like gambling, overeating, or addiction to sex.

Rehab treatment centers, like Retreat Premier Addiction Treatment Center, will dive into further detail in regards to all recovery stages and will help guide recovering addicts to a sober life. Through programs such as the Continuum of Care model that Retreat Treatment Center offers, recovering addicts will be offered outpatient services that may include individual, group, and family therapies for long-term sobriety.

Ways to Help and Ways to Hurt

If you know someone suffering from drug or alcohol addiction, it can be instinctual to want to help or offer advice. In some cases, it may seem prudent “cold turkey,” or who went through rehab and magically got better and felt their urges completely disappear. Unfortunately, in many cases, this is fiction.

Too often, good-natured friends will regurgitate “tips” from various stages of recovery and unwittingly try to give counsel to a recovering friend of theirs. If a client tries to do too much before they are ready, it may become overwhelming and lead to relapse. For this reason, it’s important to leave treatment of addiction to individuals who understand how to foster recovery in a safe, structured environment. While it’s natural to want to help someone through their process, the best thing that you can do for them is be supportive on their journey.

Sources:

1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64208/

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