Whether you or a loved one is dealing with a drug addiction, there are many ways that you can overcome it. And whether it’s you or someone else that is fighting the addiction, there are a few methods to doing it.

1. Dealing with a Drug Addiction
Whether you or a loved one is dealing with a drug addiction,
there are many ways that you can overcome it. You might
wonder what you can do to cope and turn your life around.
Above all else, move forward with the knowledge that it is
possible to overcome the addiction. And whether it’s you or
someone else that is fighting the addiction, there are a few
methods to doing it.
Method 1: Education.
The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to cope and
move forward into the future. Begin your research with websites
like medical websites and keep your eyes out for organizations
like AA or 12-step programs—those organizations are there to
help people like you get through problems and the many small challenges you face each day of recovery.
Whether you’re the one recovering or the one offering support to a loved one, you will be able to deal
with the physical and emotional effects resulting from your addiction.
Method 2: Specialists.
Keep all your options open if you’re looking into this route. You might consider a detox or rehabilitation
center near you—especially if previous attempts at recovery haven’t gone well. You might also search
out local anonymous support groups like AA or NarcAnon. Talking to other people can help you sort
through your thoughts and find the logical fallacies you might be clinging to. If working with an
anonymous group isn’t enough, you might also consider the help of a professional therapist. Most
psychologists and social workers have experience helping people recover from addiction, and are able to
prescribe the best course of action for someone in recovery. If you’re the one trying to support your
loved one, encourage them to seek help. Don’t ignore the situation, because odds are that it will only
get worse. You will have to walk a fine line, though—your loved one struggling with addiction must want
to change. They can’t make a lasting change in their life unless they’re totally committed to it.
Method 3: Intervention.
Intervention is one of the most extreme actions that loved
ones of an addict can take. Usually, families will do it when
they’ve tried to encourage the addict to seek help, but the
addict has been unwilling to admit they’ve got a problem.
And since this is such a drastic action, you must be
extremely prepared for what will happen. The first action
you should take if you want to stage an intervention is to
talk to a professional. Therapists will know the best course
of action to help someone through an addiction, and may

2. be able to suggest another route if they feel it would help the addict. Just remember that a botched
intervention can result in an addict’s behavior getting even worse. Once you’ve spoken with a
professional, planned and organized the event, do it. It will probably be one of the most painful and
emotional experience you and all involved will have, but it can go a long way to showing an addict the
consequences of their actions when you do it right.
Addiction recovery isn’t an easy road. What can you do to cope and turn your life around? The best
course of recovery varies with each person, but when you find the right solution, you or your loved one
can finally feel free again. There are addiction recovery programs from Utah to New York, find the one
that best fits you.
Photo Credit: Psyberartist, Drew Leavy