D DreamLife RECOVERY HOW CAN YOU HELP A FRIEND WITH ADDICTION? If you have a friend who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, you are probably wondering how you can help. It's difficult to see someone you care about go through the pain of addiction. You may worry about their safety, and you probably miss the friend you knew before the substance abuse took control of their life. You want to do something for your friend, but what? The desire to help someone battling addiction is admirable and understandable. You know that your friend is a good person who is going through a hard time, but you may feel helpless watching as addiction dismantles their Sife. If you're in this situation, here is practical advice to consider before you approach your friend about addiction. SIGNS YOUR FRIEND MAY BE ON DRUGS Bringing up the topic of substance use-even for those who aren't dealing with addiction can be really sensitive and could cause your friend to become defensive or angry, especially if they are feeling judged. Before you talk with your friend about their drug or alcohol use. you should research signs of addiction and learn more about the disease to be prepared. Moreover, each person will have a unique experience with substance use. Some may be able to hide their drug or alcohol use well while others may demonstrate more obvious symptoms of problematic alcohol abuse or drug use, like heroin addiction. Regardless, there are some general signs that could be indicators of addiction to alcohol or drugs. The American Psychiatric Association states in the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) that one or more of the following behaviors over the course of a year may be a sign of addiction: Your friend seems unable to control their alcoholdrug use. Your friend experiences strong cravings for alcohol/drugs Your friend spends a lot of time and resources getting or using alcohol/drugs Your friend continues to use alcohol/drugs despite negative consequences Your friend is having problems with work, school friends, family relationships, etc Your friend no longer does activities they used to enjoy and may spend more time with other people who use alcohol drugs instead of their usual friends/social circles You wouldn't accuse a friend of having diabetes because you always see them drinking soda or eating fast food likewise, you don't just tell someone you think they have an addiction because you've seen them use drugs or alcohol. This is simply to say that you should educate yourself before trying to help. If your friend has demonstrated signs of addiction, you should then consider some possible reasons why this has happened. + VERIFICATION OF BENEFITS CONTACT (ONLINE FORM PHONE CALL! Your friend engages in high-risk behaviors (driving under the influence, engaging in unsafe sexual behavior, getting into physical fights, or trouble with law enforcement) Your friend keeps using alcoholdrugs even while suffering health issues from them Your friend has become dependent on substance use and/or suffers withdrawal symptoms Your friend has tried and failed to stop using substances PHONE CALL MEDICAL SCREENING D DreamLife RECOVERY TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS ADMISSION PROCESS ADMIT WELCOME TO DREAMLIFE ALUMNI STORY 66 When I've been in treatment before, I kinda felt like I was a number being moved through a building. When I'm here I feel like a person. They actually care. I have had my worst days here and my best days here and no matter which one it was they were always like, "Jay, what's going on with you?" "Hey how are you doing today?" Jay,DreamLife Recovery Alumnus CALL OUR ADMISSONS TEAM AT 855-912-6873 DreamLife DreamLife Recovery DreamLife Recovery DreamLifePA DreamLifePA in Recovery PA VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT DREAMLIFERECOVERY.COM D DreamLife RECOVERY HOW CAN YOU HELP A FRIEND WITH ADDICTION ? If you have a friend who is addicted to drugs or alcohol , you are probably wondering how you can help . It's difficult to see someone you care about go through the pain of addiction . You may worry about their safety , and you probably miss the friend you knew before the substance abuse took control of their life . You want to do something for your friend , but what ? The desire to help someone battling addiction is admirable and understandable . You know that your friend is a good person who is going through a hard time , but you may feel helpless watching as addiction dismantles their Sife . If you're in this situation , here is practical advice to consider before you approach your friend about addiction . SIGNS YOUR FRIEND MAY BE ON DRUGS Bringing up the topic of substance use - even for those who aren't dealing with addiction can be really sensitive and could cause your friend to become defensive or angry , especially if they are feeling judged . Before you talk with your friend about their drug or alcohol use . you should research signs of addiction and learn more about the disease to be prepared . Moreover , each person will have a unique experience with substance use . Some may be able to hide their drug or alcohol use well while others may demonstrate more obvious symptoms of problematic alcohol abuse or drug use , like heroin addiction . Regardless , there are some general signs that could be indicators of addiction to alcohol or drugs . The American Psychiatric Association states in the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM - 5 ) that one or more of the following behaviors over the course of a year may be a sign of addiction : Your friend seems unable to control their alcoholdrug use . Your friend experiences strong cravings for alcohol / drugs Your friend spends a lot of time and resources getting or using alcohol / drugs Your friend continues to use alcohol / drugs despite negative consequences Your friend is having problems with work , school friends , family relationships , etc Your friend no longer does activities they used to enjoy and may spend more time with other people who use alcohol drugs instead of their usual friends / social circles You wouldn't accuse a friend of having diabetes because you always see them drinking soda or eating fast food likewise , you don't just tell someone you think they have an addiction because you've seen them use drugs or alcohol . This is simply to say that you should educate yourself before trying to help . If your friend has demonstrated signs of addiction , you should then consider some possible reasons why this has happened . + VERIFICATION OF BENEFITS CONTACT ( ONLINE FORM PHONE CALL ! Your friend engages in high - risk behaviors ( driving under the influence , engaging in unsafe sexual behavior , getting into physical fights , or trouble with law enforcement ) Your friend keeps using alcoholdrugs even while suffering health issues from them Your friend has become dependent on substance use and / or suffers withdrawal symptoms Your friend has tried and failed to stop using substances PHONE CALL MEDICAL SCREENING D DreamLife RECOVERY TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS ADMISSION PROCESS ADMIT WELCOME TO DREAMLIFE ALUMNI STORY 66 When I've been in treatment before , I kinda felt like I was a number being moved through a building . When I'm here I feel like a person . They actually care . I have had my worst days here and my best days here and no matter which one it was they were always like , " Jay , what's going on with you ? " " Hey how are you doing today ? " Jay , DreamLife Recovery Alumnus CALL OUR ADMISSONS TEAM AT 855-912-6873 DreamLife DreamLife Recovery DreamLife Recovery DreamLifePA DreamLifePA in Recovery PA VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT DREAMLIFERECOVERY.COM