Is my loved one abusing drugs?
You may have checked the list of signs and symptoms and you are still not sure. Often when all the signs are evident and even when a parent or spouse sees evidence of the drug in the home, clothing, pockets or motor vehicle they still feel that they have insufficient proof of substance abuse.
Family members often doubt the facts and believe the rationalisations of the addicted person. Denying that there is a problem is part of the problem. Family members and addicts alike minimize and or deny the problem. Whether this is because of a sense of guilt or shame, or a flight response to fear is not important. Truthfully, most, if not all, families respond in this manner when first confronted with the prospect that their loved one is abusing drugs or other substances. To continue in denial is going to worsen the problem.
Understand that you are not alone in this. Millions of families have faced this situation. To effectively assess the problem you will need to gather some facts. Get information about drugs and addiction. Find out about treatment options. Speak to a counsellor at a treatment facility about your suspicion and ask for advice. To deal with the problem you need to understand it, define it and prove that it exists. Develop a list of solutions and options. Get as much advice as you can. The only sure way to prove your suspicions is to do a random drug test (something ALL families should be doing regardless of evidence of a problem). Hard facts help to keep everything ‘real’. Saliva tests are easy to perform and have less chances of tampering.
Speak to someone who has a loved one in addiction. Attend a support group for families with addicted loved ones. Confronting the problem can be very difficult as you may also have to confront your own fears, doubts, anger, shame, etc. The support of people who understand and have ‘been there’ is vital. The swift response of a responsible family member may prevent early stages of drug abuse from developing into full blown addiction and death.
Family members often doubt the facts and believe the rationalisations of the addicted person. Denying that there is a problem is part of the problem. Family members and addicts alike minimize and or deny the problem. Whether this is because of a sense of guilt or shame, or a flight response to fear is not important. Truthfully, most, if not all, families respond in this manner when first confronted with the prospect that their loved one is abusing drugs or other substances. To continue in denial is going to worsen the problem.
Understand that you are not alone in this. Millions of families have faced this situation. To effectively assess the problem you will need to gather some facts. Get information about drugs and addiction. Find out about treatment options. Speak to a counsellor at a treatment facility about your suspicion and ask for advice. To deal with the problem you need to understand it, define it and prove that it exists. Develop a list of solutions and options. Get as much advice as you can. The only sure way to prove your suspicions is to do a random drug test (something ALL families should be doing regardless of evidence of a problem). Hard facts help to keep everything ‘real’. Saliva tests are easy to perform and have less chances of tampering.
Speak to someone who has a loved one in addiction. Attend a support group for families with addicted loved ones. Confronting the problem can be very difficult as you may also have to confront your own fears, doubts, anger, shame, etc. The support of people who understand and have ‘been there’ is vital. The swift response of a responsible family member may prevent early stages of drug abuse from developing into full blown addiction and death.