There are thousands of substance abuse treatment facilities across the nation. As recently as 2020, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) released data indicating there were over 14,000 licensed and active drug and alcohol rehabs in the United States. Each rehab provides effective and comprehensive treatment services designed to help you or a loved one overcome an addiction to drugs. However, if you have started researching treatment options at drug rehabs near you, you may wonder how to choose the best one and how to help a friend or loved one get the help they need to recover from addiction safely.
Signs Your Loved One is Struggling with Addiction
Addiction symptoms will be different from one person to the next. Several factors may contribute to the signs your loved one experiences when struggling with drug addiction. These include the type of drug, how often they use it, the severity of their addiction, and if they have any medical or mental health conditions that may add to their health challenges. Despite addiction’s unique and individualized nature, various symptoms will occur (in some form) for everyone with a substance use disorder.
Drug addiction will cause symptoms that affect your loved one’s physical, psychological and behavioral health. Because they are most easily noticed, changes to your loved one’s physical health may be the first clear sign that they are struggling with drug addiction. Some typical physical symptoms of drug addiction may be appetite changes, changes in personal hygiene, weight changes, difficulties sleeping (or sleeping too often), and notable changes in energy levels. Depending on the substance used, you may notice other physical symptoms like burns, sniffles, runny nose, and track marks.
In addition to physical symptoms, your loved one may experience emotional and behavioral challenges. Your loved one’s mood and behavior may change significantly when they are high or when they are struggling with withdrawal symptoms because they have not been used recently. Other changes may be financial problems, difficulties at work, legal problems related to drug use, changes to their social groups and activities, acting secretive or isolated, and dishonest behaviors. They may also seem anxious, paranoid, depressed, or exhibit other emotional changes. Without help from a treatment center like Rise in Malibu, the early symptoms of drug addiction can evolve into severe medical and mental health conditions.
How do you Get Someone into Drug Rehab?
When a loved one struggles with addiction, they may also fail to acknowledge an unhealthy relationship with drugs. It may feel impossible to convince them that seeking help is the safest and most effective way to get sober and maintain lasting recovery. As a friend, relatives, or loved one, it can be difficult to patiently stand by and wait for your loved one to be ready to reach out for help.
An option for helping your loved one learn about the benefits of rehab is to contact a primary care provider. Their current medical or mental health provider can talk with them about the effects of addiction and how long-term, untreated drug use could lead to lasting physical and emotional struggles. As a primary care provider, someone they trust may be more successful in helping them understand the impacts of addiction on their health and the emotional health of their loved ones.
If you are worried about the health of your loved ones and unsure where to start on the road to getting them the help they need, contact us at Rise in Malibu. Members of our admissions team can provide support and guidance about the benefits of rehab and the things you can do to help your loved one begin their sobriety journey in a safe and supported environment.
