What Steps Can I Take If My Addicted Loved One Is Refusing To Go to Drug Rehab? by Rehab Recovery Centers

Watching a loved one struggle with addiction is hard, especially when they are in denial about the severity of their substance abuse. You may have attempted to suggest they attend professional treatment, only to receive a defensive and closed-off response. This can be extremely frustrating when all you want to do is help. While your intentions are good, pushing your addicted loved one to accept treatment might make the situation worse.

Oftentimes, individuals struggling with addiction have a hard time understanding the gravity of their situation. When you confront them with the truth about their addiction, they begin to feel attacked or judged. This causes the addict to become more secretive and isolated from you. If you are wondering what steps you can take when your loved one refuses addiction treatment, it is important to understand things from their point of view. It is also important to know that there are ways you can help an addicted loved one who refuses to go to rehab.

Common Reasons an Addict Might Refuse Treatment

Addicts may refuse to go to rehab for several reasons, but most of the time it’s stemming from places of vulnerability, denial, and shame. The most common reasons an addict might refuse treatment include:

  • They don’t believe they have a problem with addiction
  • They are afraid to experience withdrawal symptoms
  • Change is scary to them
  • They are afraid of failing or not being “strong enough” to stay sober
  • They are afraid to be vulnerable or talk about past traumas
  • Continuing to abuse drugs is more attractive than sobriety to them
  • They are embarrassed about their addiction

If your loved one refuses to go to rehab, they are likely afraid of living life without drugs and alcohol. Addicts use drugs and alcohol as a coping mechanism for uncomfortable feelings, past traumas, and an array of other issues. Without their substance abuse, your loved one may not know how to cope with troubling times. However, with time, patience, and support, your addicted loved one will realize that healing from their underlying issues is the only way to avoid the uncomfortable feelings they are masking.

What Can You Do When Your Loved One Refuses to Attend Rehab?

When your loved one is suffering from addiction and refusing to go to treatment, it’s hard to know what to do next. You don’t want to push the idea of professional treatment too hard, as this could cause your loved one to avoid being around you or taking your advice completely. On the other hand, you don’t want to let it go out of fear for their health and safety. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do when your loved one is refusing to attend addiction treatment.

Educate Yourself

The first and most important thing you can do is educate yourself on the disease of addiction. Understanding what is causing your loved one’s emotions and behaviors will help you learn how to respond accordingly. Additionally, finding out what they are going through on an educational level will allow you to prepare for potential dangers like withdrawal symptoms and overdoses.

Schedule Doctor’s Appointments

If your loved one refuses to go to rehab, scheduling routine doctor’s appointments could help them realize the severity of their addiction. While any mention of addiction treatment could send your loved one running, everyone attends normal doctor’s checkups. This will help you get your loved one in front of a medical professional without setting off any alarms.

Make sure to inform the doctor of your loved one’s substance abuse and aversion to treatment before the appointment. Once your loved one attends the appointment, the doctor can provide their medical opinion on your loved one’s need for treatment. Oftentimes, the opinion of a professional is taken better than the opinion of a family member, as there is no personal bias involved.

Stop Enabling

Another great way to help your addicted loved one is by stopping any enabling behaviors. Oftentimes, family members of addicts attempt to help them so much that they end up hurting them in the process. For example, if you provide your loved ones with money when they are experiencing financial strain, you might be enabling their drug habit. It is important for your loved one to experience the full consequences of their addiction, as this will help them realize their need for professional help.

Host a Professional Intervention

Lastly, if your loved one’s addiction has become severe and they are continuing to refuse treatment, it may be time for professional intervention. Addiction interventions are carefully planned meetings between family members and the addict to convince them to attend treatment. Interventions are facilitated by professional interventionists who are experienced in crisis de-escalation, allowing them to keep the addict calm and collected throughout the discussion.

If you decide to host an intervention for your loved one, you must hire a professional. Without the help of an expert, the conversation could become derailed if your loved one feels attacked or becomes defensive. Additionally, professional interventionists will have a treatment program on standby in case your loved one agrees to enter treatment. This prevents the individual from having time to change their mind.

Get Connected With a Reputable Drug and Alcohol Rehab Near You Today

If your loved one is suffering from drug addiction, Rehab Recovery Centers can help. Whether you need a professional intervention or placement at a reputable drug treatment program, our addiction experts are here for you. Contact us today for more information on how to get connected with a drug and alcohol rehab near you.

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