Did you know that in 2021, 61.2 million Americans over 12 used illicit drugs within the past year, and 29.5 million people had an alcohol use disorder? Substance use disorders destroy lives and families each year worldwide. The fact is many people who have substance use disorders don’t get treatment because they don’t think they need it or are fearful. If you’re struggling to get a loved one to go to rehab, your first step is to learn more about addiction and what you can do to help.
In this guide, you’ll learn valuable tips for convincing a loved one to go to rehab to get the treatment they need.
Research Treatment Options
When you’re trying to convince a loved one to go to rehab, the most critical step is doing enough research so you understand more about the addiction treatment process.
Knowing more about the different treatment programs will allow you to help your loved one with their specific needs.
Inpatient Treatment
The first type of treatment is inpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment is an in-depth treatment designed for more severe addictions. With inpatient treatment, people live at a facility and receive 24/7 medical care and emotional support.
Inpatient treatment addresses both a substance use disorder and co-existing mental health conditions or other behaviors that cause difficulty in your loved one’s life.
Most inpatient treatment centers are similar to hospitals. However, you’ll also find treatment centers similar to spas or lodges. The primary goal of inpatient treatment is to allow residents to focus on getting sober without the distractions of daily life.
Due to this, inpatient programs have varying policies regarding visitors. Some facilities don’t allow visitors during treatment, while others allow friend and family visits throughout treatment. Most programs last from 30 days to 6 months.
The first phase of inpatient treatment is medically assisted detox. During the detox phase, doctors and healthcare specialists monitor vital signs. They also manage withdrawal symptoms with different medications, depending on the substance.
After detox, your loved one will go through intensive therapy sessions. These sessions include behavior therapy to address mental health problems.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective for mental health issues like anxiety and depression. It involves addressing and reframing negative thinking patterns.
Your loved one will need to take specific steps before entering treatment:
- Talking to their employer
- Talking to family and friends
- Wrapping up loose ends or projects
- Finding out what they should pack
- Looking at insurance coverage
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment is a less restrictive form of treatment. Your loved one can enter into two different types of outpatient treatment programs.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) are the most intensive outpatient treatment. This treatment focuses on addressing behaviors early on. Programs generally run 5 to 6 days weekly, with six hours of therapy daily. Most people find working full-time hours difficult in this program due to the time involved.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are a step down from PHP programs. Many programs meet a few days a week for 2 to 3-hour therapy sessions.
They’re also offered in the evening, allowing people to attend work during the day. IOPs are an excellent option for people who can’t afford the time or costs of inpatient treatment.
Aftercare and Transitional Housing
It’s also essential to know that addiction treatment doesn’t end at a treatment center. Addiction is a lifelong journey; your loved one will need ongoing aftercare services like counseling to avoid relapse.
Common aftercare options include:
- Therapy groups
- Individual therapy sessions
- 12-step recovery meetings
- Alumni events
- Helping others overcome addiction
- Sober living or transitional housing
Learn More About Addiction
You’ll also need to take the time to learn more about addiction and the science behind it. Addiction is a mental illness that can affect anybody at any stage of their life.
Alcohol or drug addiction occurs when a person uses a substance more than what’s needed and cannot stop. This inability to stop using is known as dependence. It’s also essential to realize that addiction doesn’t happen overnight. Many people start by experimenting with alcohol or drugs and gradually form a tolerance.
Addiction often occurs along with mental health problems. In fact, studies show that substance use disorder most commonly occurs with conditions like:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Bipolar disorder
- Personality disorder
- Schizophrenia
Substance use disorder can also cause changes to the brain structure and how it functions. This leads to the development of other mental health disorders. This is why people with substance use disorders also need behavioral therapy to understand their way of thinking better.
When people stop using a substance, they’ll experience withdrawal symptoms and cravings, making it very difficult to break the cycle. The intensity of withdrawal symptoms varies, but many people experience symptoms that include:
- Changes in mood
- Fatigue
- Irritability
- Restlessness
- Changes in appetite
- Sweating
- Tremors
- Shakiness
- Vomiting
- Muscle pain
Having a better understanding of addiction will allow you to help your loved one more effectively and not make assumptions about addiction overall.
Talk With a Healthcare Professional
You can also consider speaking to a healthcare professional or your loved one’s primary care doctor. If they’re willing to go with you, make an appointment to see their doctor.
A doctor can evaluate your loved one and discuss treatment options with you. If your loved one is not willing to do this, take steps to talk to a mental health counselor.
You can find support at organizations like Al-Anon or Families Anonymous. Doing this is a great way to practice self-care while finding ways to help your loved one. It’s often challenging to get a loved one to go to treatment. Finding ways to help yourself talk to them is one of the best ways you can help.
Have an Open Conversation With Your Loved One
It’s also a good idea to sit down and have an honest and open conversation with your loved one. You’ll need to approach them without judgment and be willing to listen to what they have to say. Talk to them about your concerns regarding their substance use.
Do your best to stay calm and focus on a positive outcome. Be sure to plan your approach ahead of time and consider taking steps such as:
- Practice and prepare the conversation
- Focus on facts you’ve uncovered during research
- Don’t gang up on your loved one
- Avoid stigmatizing language like user or alcoholic
- Avoid talking if your loved one is high or intoxicated
- Be calm and supportive
Addressing your loved one’s fears about rehab and withdrawal is also important. Validate how they’re feeling and offer to educate them on the different treatment options available.
Stage an Intervention
An intervention can be a good way to get your loved one to go to a rehab center. On the other hand, interventions can also backfire.
Interventions typically involve family members and close friends and are a way to let your loved one know how their behavior affects everyone.
However, if you’re considering an intervention, you’ll need to proceed cautiously. It’s best to turn to a professional addiction counselor for guidance. A counselor can ensure everybody is on the same page with the same goal for this meeting.
In many cases, people with substance use disorders are hesitant and skeptical about the treatment. Even if the intervention doesn’t go as planned the first time, the end goal is good communication with your loved one.
If they can work past their fears and understand that things aren’t hopeless, they’ll be much more likely to go to rehab in the future.
Accept Your Limits
Remember, as much as you would like to see your loved one going to rehab; there is only so much you can do.
If you try to control their actions, you’ll likely only push them further away. You’ll also set yourself up for a major disappointment. You’ve probably heard that someone with a substance use disorder will seek treatment when ready. Well, this saying is very true.
Trying to force someone to do something they’re not ready to do is a waste of time and energy.
Believe it or not, stepping back and supporting your loved one where they are right now can help convince them to go to rehab in the future.
Be Mindful of Your Feelings and Emotions
Be mindful of your own emotions at all times around your loved one. Don’t let your emotions take control of the conversation. In an emotional discussion, it’s all too easy to get caught up and say something you’ll regret later.
When you create negativity in the conversations, you’ll only push them farther away into their addiction. This remains true even if their substance use has hurt you in the past.
Also, don’t force anything. You can suggest rehab and let them know you’ll be there for them when they decide to take that step. It’s also important to ensure that you don’t enable their behavior.
All in all, be mindful that addiction is an illness, not a moral or spiritual problem. The more emotionally balanced you are with your interactions, the better the chance you’ll be able to talk more openly about rehab. Ultimately, this will increase your chances of convincing them to try rehab.
Convincing Your Loved One to Go to Rehab
Convincing a loved one to go to rehab is often a slow process, and you’ll need to be patient and consistent.
If you’re looking for options for your loved one, you can turn to Detox To Rehab for help. We’re a supportive, non-judgemental community that can help people overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.
We can help you find options for treatments like inpatient treatment, PHP, IOP, and sober living options.
Take the next steps today and call our treatment hotline at (866) 578-7471 to talk to an experienced care counselor. You can also visit us online to fill out our contact form.
