San Mateo, CA

Substance Abuse Treatment in San Mateo, CA

San Mateo, California possesses a natural beauty being minutes away from the ocean making this area of Northern California a top destination. Beaches, day spas, outdoors activities, museums, golf courses, and wineries, San Mateo has something for everyone. From shopping to relaxing on the beach San Mateo has beautiful weather all year round. With a population just under 100,000 people, San Mateo is a great place to start and raise a family. But even the nicest of communities in California have their share of citizens who struggle with a drug addiction or alcoholism problem. Many of the people who suffer from these terrible diseases do not get the help they need because of the guilt they feel from their addiction. They feel like a criminal or someone who has done something wrong. Feeling guilty forces addicts to stay in silence and not ask for help. They think that if they admit they have a drug problem, that everyone they know will turn away from them. Too many addicts stay in a cycle of abuse and do not get the help they need.

How Can I Help My Friend or Family Member?

Having to be witness to an addiction murder your loved one is a terrible feeling. If you want to save your loved one's life, then it may be time to hold an intervention. The point of an intervention is to get the addict or alcoholic to admit that they have a problem, and ultimately get them to agree to go to rehab for the help they need. Most people with a substance abuse problem do not ask for help because they do not think they will have support. Setting up an intervention for this person can prove to them that people care about them. In an intervention, gather family and close friends of the addict who have seen firsthand how bad their addiction has gotten. Before the intervention, ask each person to prepare a written statement of how the addict's actions have affected their relationship with the addict. Use specific examples of how the addict's lying, cheating and stealing have taken a toll on everyone. Once the addict realizes that their addiction is hurting more than just themselves then they should be more likely to want to get help. Make sure nobody in the intervention is judgmental. If the addict feels that he or she is being criticized then they will tune out all of the concerns expressed by their loved ones. To increase the effectiveness of your treatment plan, it is highly encouraged to attend meetings regularly and find someone who will sponsor you. Living a sober life will be filled with temptations. When stressful moments do occur and you are struggling with your sobriety, that strong support system will help you through those difficult times in your life.