For many Americans, especially in rural states like Kentucky, the public health crisis of addiction is damaging families and weakening communities. Watching a loved one struggle with drug or alcohol addiction can bring on a range of emotions: anger, despair, or even guilt. Understanding how to get someone into drug treatment is the first step, but your loved one has to be willing, on some level, to admit they need help.
Sterling Crossroads in Mount Sterling, KY, has experience with individuals, families, and communities struggling with addiction. We offer outpatient substance abuse treatment, including medication-assisted treatment, for residents of Mount Sterling and the surrounding areas. If you have a loved one who needs addiction treatment and are uncertain how to get someone into drug treatment, contact Sterling Crossroads today. We can help.
Why Do Some People Refuse Treatment?
There are a number of reasons why a person would refuse needed treatment, including:
- Denial – Many individuals struggling with addiction fail to recognize the severity of their condition, convincing themselves that they are in control of their substance use.
- Fear – Another critical barrier—people often worry about withdrawal symptoms, stigma, or facing a future without the substances they’ve become dependent on.
- Lack of trust – Doubt surrounding the effectiveness of treatment programs, behavioral health personnel, or previous bad experiences with recovery efforts may cause skepticism about their effectiveness. These factors combine to create a reluctance to seek help, even when it is desperately needed.
Whatever the reason, addressing these underlying issues is essential before moving the conversation toward entering treatment and making a change.
How to Get Someone Into Drug Treatment: 8 Tips
1. Educate Yourself About Addiction
Understanding addiction as a disease and not simply a choice can help you approach your loved one with empathy and knowledge. Familiarizing yourself with treatment options can also enable you to provide valuable information during discussions.
2. Approach with Compassion
When addressing the subject, speak with care and avoid accusations or confrontational language. Show your loved one that your concern comes from a place of love and support rather than judgment.
3. Choose the Right Time and Place
Timing is crucial when discussing treatment. Choose a private setting free of distractions, and when your loved one is sober—they are more likely to listen and engage in a calm conversation.
4. Express Your Concerns
Share specific examples of how their addiction has impacted you and others around them. Highlight the changes you’ve observed without being overly critical, and connect these issues to your desire to help.
5. Set Boundaries
While being supportive, it’s also essential to establish clear boundaries. Avoid enabling their behavior, such as providing financial support that could facilitate their substance use, and make it clear that treatment is a necessary step.
6. Present Treatment Options
Offer detailed information about the treatment programs available and how they can help. Be prepared with resources, such as directories for local rehabilitation centers—like Sterling Crossroads—or individual therapists to make the process easier for them.
7. Enlist Support from Others
A group intervention can sometimes be more effective, especially when the individual understands that multiple people care about their well-being. Friends, family members, or professionals can join to emphasize the importance of seeking help.
8. Be Patient but Persistent
Change doesn’t happen overnight, and your loved one might not agree to treatment immediately. Continue to express your support and remind them of the benefits of seeking recovery while being prepared to help facilitate the next steps when they are ready.
The best chance of success is to take a compassionate, persistent approach that stresses concern and care for your loved one in a nonjudgmental fashion.
How to Do an Intervention for a Family Member
Sterling Crossroads understands that watching a family member get swept up in the cycle of addiction is one of the most heartbreaking experiences imaginable, especially if they have a spouse and children affected by their substance use.
Staging a successful intervention requires careful preparation, clear communication, and a compassionate approach. Begin by assembling a small group of trusted individuals, such as family members and close friends, who are genuinely concerned and committed to helping your loved one. Next, research addiction treatment options to present clear pathways to recovery that they can consider. Work together to plan what each person will say during the intervention, ensuring the messages are empathetic, nonjudgmental, and focused on how the addiction has impacted the individual and those around them.
Choose a quiet, neutral location and schedule a time when your loved one is sober and receptive. During the intervention, remain calm and listen actively, avoiding confrontation or blame. Present options for immediate treatment and offer unwavering emotional support.
Sterling Crossroads Can Help
Knowing how to get someone into drug treatment is challenging. If your loved one is struggling with addiction, Sterling Crossroads can help. Call our compassionate and experienced team at 888.991.1476 or contact us online. Our comprehensive outpatient treatment programs and supportive services can make a difference in a loved one’s life. Reach out today!