Understanding The Counseling Process

Dealing With An Addict Who Won't Go For Treatment

30 September 2016

Timmothy Washington

If you have a family member who has a drug addiction, and that person has refused to get treatment, you are likely frustrated because that means you'll still have to deal with the behavior that the addiction causes. Sometimes this can be as simple as not hearing from the person, or you could be having to continually deal with police, hospitals, and potential violence. Dealing with your family member can be difficult, but there are ways you can influence his or her decision to finally get treatment.

Positive Reinforcement

If the person's refusal to get treatment is based on fear of how withdrawal will feel, fear of confronting feelings, and so on, finding a way to positively reinforce recovery and treatment might help. Sometimes treatment programs offer soothing care, like meditation lessons or massages, along with the regular addiction treatment in order to make the whole experience less stressful. You can also show that you're happier when the person starts thinking about treatment; your support could be what finally tips the person in the direction of seeking help.

Boundaries

Sometimes, though, the person doesn't want treatment because they are fine with taking a drug all the time. However, if the person's behavior is causing problems for you, you can set boundaries immediately, and follow through on your threats if those boundaries are violated. For example, if you tell someone that you will kick them out of your home if they do not seek treatment, you have to be prepared to actually kick them out of your home if they do not seek treatment within a set time period. Don't be surprised if you have to carry out some of your threats before the person decides to finally seek treatment.

Interventions and Court Orders

If the behavior gets really bad -- theft and the like -- then you may need to try an intervention or try getting a court order. If the person has become more and more involved in illegal activities, and the police have been called, you may be able to have the court force the person into treatment.

Contact addiction treatment centers like Olalla Recovery Centers in your area for more tips and see what programs they have for people who need help staying off drugs. It may take some time, but you'll be able to see a lot of progress when you have professional help on your side.

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