There are many ways to find help for drug addicts, but it can depend on what ‘stage’ of addiction a person is in. If a person is still actively using, the best thing you can do is to get that person into inpatient drug rehab if at all possible.
Alcohol & Drug Treatment Programs
I believe that rehabs are the best way to get clean or sober. I look at it as a gift, or an opportunity…at least that’s what it was for me. A rehab offers a place for an addict/alcoholic to detox, get a few weeks of sobriety (more if you are lucky enough to have the money or good insurance), and truly focus on themselves and their recovery.
While in rehab, the distractions from the outside world, for the most part, are forgotten about. There is minimal contact with friends and family, and there is professional care around the clock. If you are looking for help for drug addicts, look for a reputable treatment facility and try to get inpatient treatment. I understand rehab is not an option for everyone, and you can definitely get and stay sober without rehab as well.
I always strongly suggest rehab and 12 step meetings because that is what worked for me – it’s what really got me on the path to recovery. I know that not everyone responds the same way to treatment and to 12 step meetings, but I would urge everyone to be open-minded and give drug treatment programs and meetings a chance. Even if you don’t ‘buy into’ the 12 steps and what they discuss in the meetings, it’s a great way to meet other people who are on the path to recovery. Having that connection with other people who understand what you’re going through is incredibly helpful in getting and remaining sober, especially in the beginning.
I don’t currently attend AA or NA meetings, and I haven’t for many years, but meetings definitely helped me a lot in the beginning.
Help For Drug Addicts & Alcoholics Other Than Inpatient Treatment?
If you are dealing with an addict who has stopped using or may be in the process of stopping and can’t or won’t go to an inpatient facility, I would again urge them to try 12 step meetings, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, etc. 12 step meetings are a place where an addict can connect with other people and find help. It’s certainly possible to get and stay clean and sober without 12 step meetings. Ultimately, you have to do what is right for you. When a person is just starting the recovery process, they often don’t know yet what is right for them. The best way to figure that out is to take advantage of all of the resources around, which includes 12 step meetings.
Another option is an outpatient drug treatment facility if the addict is not willing or able to go into an inpatient drug rehab facility. This can be useful in trying to help an addict maintain some clean time. Many outpatient facilities include an educational portion as well as a group processing portion, so the addict will get similar treatment as they would in an inpatient drug rehab facility.
Individual therapy can also provide tremendous help for drug addicts. Looking into any combination of these suggestions would be a great start in your efforts to find help for drug addicts and alcoholics, or someone dealing with any kind of addiction.