3 Things You Must Not Say to an Addict

An addict who has problems with drugs, alcohol, or certain behaviors such as gambling, sex, pornography, shopping, or video games needs your support. While this can be difficult, you can channel your negative emotions into positive, and this starts with what you say. Here are 3 things you must never say to an addict if you want to help them.

If you know someone who is addicted, then you must be frustrated. You may also feel helpless, heartbroken, embarrassed, angry, worried, and a mix of many other different–often overwhelming–things.

In fact, live with an addict can be a constant battle. For control, for sanity, for some semblance of order. Often, things always seem like they’re about to blow, or that any good thing is about to turn sour around the bend.

Substance abuse can be really hard to understand, especially if you know nothing about addiction. Or, to be more exact, what you know about addiction are be based on addiction myths.

To help you get started, here are some things you shouldn’t say to a loved one who is an addict, or someone with substance abuse disorder.

Things to not say to an Addict

1. Don’t be selfish and stop what you’re doing! If addicts could simply stop at will, then there would be no addicts. However, that’s not the case. Addiction is a disease and it changes the brain of the addict. They don’t want to live this way, because it’s a dark, damaging existence.
2. You’re hopeless. You’ll never change! The addict struggles with their addiction too. It weighs heavily in their hearts, especially when they see their loved ones hurt as well. Giving up on them is like a death sentence.
   While no one can predict the future, it doesn’t mean that the addict has no hope. While loving and living with an addict can seem hopeless, there are thousands of addicts who have actually undergone treatment and are recovering, living happy and healthy lives.
3. You’re not going to get better if you do that. The map through recovery isn’t straight. It isn’t set in stone either. The journey to sobriety can be different to every individual, and an addict loved one may find a different way to recover. Instead of dictating how they should live their lives, offer help and support.

Lean more about helping an addicted loved one by reading up on one of our blogs.

If your addicted loved one hasn’t gone through rehab yet, Bridges of Hope provides an excellent choice. Call or text us at 09175098826.