Addiction brings with it several challenges with far-reaching impacts on friends and family. Substance abuse is a mental health disorder, one that can interfere with good judgment and make it difficult for someone to know whether it’s time to get help or not. If you have a friend or family member who is struggling with addiction, it’s never too late to try to figure out how to convince someone to go to rehab and get the help they need.
How to Get Someone to Go to Rehab
Figuring out how to convince someone to go to rehab takes compassion and love. It can be overwhelmingly frustrating to have a loved one who struggles with drugs or alcohol and won’t get help, but convincing them to seek treatment isn’t done with berating or yelling at them.
Knowing When Someone Needs Rehab
If you have a close friend or family member who is struggling with addiction, there are some signs that indicate it’s time to get professional help:
- They experience significant withdrawal symptoms when they can’t use drugs or alcohol
- They understand the negative impacts their substance use has on their physical or mental health, but they continue to use
- They are using more than one substance to try to get better effects
- They are engaging in uncharacteristic behaviors, such as stealing, lying, or getting into legal trouble
- They are engaging in reckless and dangerous behaviors
All of these signs point to the need for professional treatment, and it might require you to step up and talk to them about getting help or staging an intervention in order to ensure they get the treatment they need.
Speaking With Your Loved One
The first step in figuring out how to get someone to go to rehab is to talk to them. Sometimes, people might be aware of the impact the addiction has on them but not completely aware of the impact it has on the lives of those around them.
Other times, people just don’t know what step to take, where to get help, or what kind of help they need. The more you can learn about addiction and the different types of treatment available, the more information you can provide to a loved one during their time of need.
Be advised that when you speak with a loved one about addiction, they may not respond the way you expect them to. Sometimes, people get angry because they are struggling with self-loathing, guilt, or shame. Other times, they might disregard what you have to say.
Planning an Intervention
If you’ve tried to talk to your loved one about getting help and they still won’t, you can consider planning an intervention. Interventions can be intense experiences and often involve several members of the family. Working with a professional interventionist may be your best strategy.
Professionals can help you determine who should be in attendance and what should be said and can help everyone rehearse what they plan to say.
Knowing Their Treatment Options
When you are learning how to get someone to go to rehab, you need to know what treatment options are available and which might be best to suggest to your loved one during an intervention.
Peninsula Health Center, a Palos Verdes drug rehab, offers:
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Outpatient
- Sober Living
Our programs can further cater to the needs of your loved one with things like:
- Holistic addiction treatment
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Medication-assisted treatment
- Trauma-informed care
Your Treatment Options
If your loved one does not listen to what you have to say, and the intervention is unsuccessful, you still have treatment options as the family member or friend of someone with addiction.
Programs like AA or NA have support groups for friends and family. These support groups can provide reassurance, tips, and continued support as you show your loved one support and continue to encourage them to get help.
With the right plan in place, anyone can learn how to get someone to go to rehab. What matters most is that you approach the discussion with compassion and kindness. Offer support where you can and have a rehab center ready when they are ready for help. Peninsula Health Center is here to provide tips on how to convince someone to go to rehab with flexible programs and top-tier treatment. Contact our team today to learn more about Long Beach outpatient drug treatment options at our holistic drug rehab in California. We are here to help your loved one start their recovery journey.
