Whether it’s you or someone you love struggling with drug addiction issues, there are several things that you can do to get help.  The key to any of these approaches is education, education, education! The more you know, the more tools you will find in your search for help.

If you think you may have a drug problem, learn to recognize the early signs of drug abuse. 

1. Use one of the many assessment tools available on the Internet and find out whether your drug use is on the continuum between low risk and high risk.
2. Make an appointment to see a health care professional, be it your family doctor, a counselor who specializes in addiction issues, a therapist or social worker to discuss the problem.
3. Attend a meeting of a support group to get information and receive support from other members.
4. Conduct research on the Internet or at the local library.

Above all else, remember that when the going gets tough, you can do it!  Surround yourself with loving, supportive individuals who can offer encouragement, support and practical help.  You don’t have to be alone. Many addiction treatment programs have individuals who have sucessfully completed the program and have recieved further training in order to assist other through the program. Adding anouther level of understanding for the addict to the treatment programs, the staff really understands what an individual is going through.

If you are concerned about a loved one’s addiction, it’s also important for you to know that help is available.  You may feel as if you are completely alone or that absolutely no one can help you.  But you do not have to suffer alone—there are many people who can help you to understand and cope with your loved one’s drug abuse problem.

If you have a personal family physician, start there.  Your healthcare provider knows you, knows your family and knows your needs and can be your best ally in the drug rehab recovery process.  He or she can help identify physical or behavioral issues that the problem person may be having and can treat them, or refer your loved one to specialized care.  Ask for a referral to a counselor or therapist who specializes in drug abuse issues.

Seek out a counselor who specializes in drug abuse treatment and support of family members who have a loved one suffering from drug addiction.  Ideally, you want to find someone you can trust and have a good rapport with.  You want to be able to trust your counselor and confide in them.  You will also want to make sure that the counselor you choose has all the proper credentials and specializes in substance abuse.  Arrange an initial meeting with the counselor and come with a list of questions such as whether the counselor has specific experience dealing in this area.  Ask the counselor if they have had experience in identifying and treating these addictive disorders.

Clergy, religious educators and church administrators also have counseling skills, although they are not necessarily licensed counselors.  If you attend religious services regularly, and trust your clergy/religious educator, ask them for advice.  They may have received specific training on substance use disorders.  If not, they can probably refer you to someone who can help.

Check with your employer to see if you have an Employee Assistance Program available.  EAPs help employees and their dependents or immediate family members identify and resolve personal concerns and have a great deal of experience in identifying substance abuse problems and finding ways to treat them. 

Finally, attend a self-help support group in your community.  These support groups are designed to help families and friends of people with drug problems recover from the effects of living with a drug abuser.  Establish a support network through these meetings and arm yourself with knowledge.

If you find that your loved one refuses to admit that they have a drug problem, research the possibility of staging an intervention.  For more information on interventions, check the Internet or contact your local drug/alcohol treatment center.

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