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The addiction of a loved one to drugs or alcohol is one of the most trying experiences that a family can endure. Many have described it as a nightmare from which there is no waking, and with reason. Along with the physical and mental deterioration of the addicted, friends and family members must also deal with the betrayal, loss of trust and personality changes often coincide with the disease.
Knowing when an addict is ready to accept help can be difficult, especially since it often happens only after his or her friends and family have nearly given up. Some of the signs that an addict is ready to begin the healing process include sincere attempts to quit using on his own, seeking out Alcoholics Anonymous and efforts to reintegrate with the family. These signs are not always indicators of an addict’s intention to recover, but they can usually be counted.
Those who have become convinced that the addict in their lives is ready to accept help should immediately suggest admittance to a specialized treatment facility for the type of addiction that is being faced. Treatment facilities provide a safe environment, free from the temptation rampant in the outside world, for addicts to deal with detoxification. Once all of the substance is out of the person’s system, only then can he or she begin to face the emotional issues that drove him to use in the first place. Many addicts fear treatment facilities, believing that they will be ”locked away,” but it is important to help them understand that they are ultimately in charge of their own recovery.
