Your support can make a difference.
Who Needs Support
Any person who uses drugs/alcohol has relatively high chances of progressing into abuse and even addiction so insidiously that sometimes he/she may not realize that their drinking/drugging has become a real problem for them and those around them. A drug addict may experience some/combination of the following symptoms at some point or the other:
- Any person who uses drugs/alcohol
- Has craving for drugs/alcohol
- Difficulty in controlling the onset, termination or level of use
- Experiencing a withdrawal on not taking drugs/alcohol
- Increase in the quantity used
- Neglect of other activities
- Continued use of the drug despite clear evidence of harmful consequences
- May not realize that their drinking/drugging has become a real problem
The kind of support may vary between individuals based on their personal behavioral traits and the drug/alcohol of abuse. The type of support may broadly include:
- Support from family/friends/peers
- Early identification
- Emotional/psychological support
- Motivation for accessing support services.
- Focus on the person not on your feelings
- Respond to the circumstances as it exists/or may occur
- Be patient and compassionate
- Be active and get involved
- Stay calm
- Stay friendly supportive and non threatening
- Communicate–acknowledge, reflect and reassure