If you’re trying to help a loved one who’s struggling with substance abuse, it’s completely normal to feel lost or unsure of what to do. You want to be supportive, but it can be hard to know or do the right things.
This guide is here to help you navigate the process—offering just several practical ways to support your loved one.
Listening and Communicating With Empathy
Listening is critical in an atmosphere of honesty. Simply letting your loved one understand that you are willing to lend an ear can help a lot. Prevent judging and instead, redirect your focus to hearing and not arguing what he or she says. Paving the path to real conversation requires being open with admiration and compassion. Be sure to ask open questions that would make him or her more comfortable to share. By doing and expressing yourself with your body language and gestures that say to them that you care, you can make the other person feel accepted.
