Watching a loved one struggle with substance abuse and mental health issues can be taxing and painful, especially when you recognize that they need help but they are in denial. You want to help them and you want to be supportive of their recovery, but you are unsure where to start or how to get them the treatment they need. You may ask yourself, “How can I help an addict in Orange County” and actually make a difference? At Northbound, we understand your fears and frustrations. We know how hard it is to love someone so much, yet be so hurt, angry, frightened, or all of the above by the actions they take when consumed by alcoholism and addiction. We will stand strong with you in the difficult but brave task of getting between your loved one and the addiction and will work with you each step of the way to help your loved one get themselves onto a path to recovery.
Northbound staff will talk with you about your concerns and the changes you noticed in your loved one since identifying that addiction and/or mental health issues are likely present. We will help you to determine if Northbound is the right fit to meet your loved one’s needs and explain how the treatment process works. If we are not the right fit, we will help you find resources to best meet your family’s unique needs. Rest assured that there is help available, and there is hope for recovery. It is not too late to get your loved one the comprehensive and personalized care they need.
How to Encourage my Loved One to Access Treatment
It is not always easy to convince someone that they need treatment for addiction and mental health issues. You may see that there is a problem, but they may not. Educate yourself about addiction, the signs and symptoms, causes, and options for treatment. Realize that it is not your fault, and you did not cause their substance abuse problems, nor is their recovery within your control. That said, you can make well-informed, healthy choices, to best support them in engaging in recovery while also honoring and supporting yourself in the process.
The staff at Northbound will help coach you through how to approach the subject of treatment with your loved one. Generally speaking, we will advise that you avoid trying to guilt the person into rehab or making them feel blamed or shamed. These tactics can drive a wedge into a family system, increase negative thinking patterns and behaviors for the loved one you are aiming to help, and decrease the likelihood of successfully aligning with your loved one to get them the help they need. Instead, we recommend that you express your concern in a compassionate and thoughtful way, letting them know that you love them and are worried about their health and well-being. You can suggest entering rehab and see how receptive they are to the idea. If they are resistant, it may be time to talk to an intervention specialist about holding an intervention and guiding your loved one into treatment in a more structured and effective way.
Intervention Services
If you are unsure of how to get your loved one into treatment, or have initiated the process and are coming up against significant obstacles, Northbound offers intervention services to facilitate a successful experience. An intervention specialist will work with you to discuss your concerns and your family’s unique history, preferences, and needs. Then they will collaborate with your family to create an intervention plan that shares your concerns with your loved one in a constructive way and provides them with a viable and compelling option to accept help. Even if you are not local to Orange County, we have a network of interventionists who can facilitate out-of-state interventions. We are here to provide you with the support and guidance you need.
Support Your Loved One Through Treatment in Our Family Program
Northbound recognizes that clients are not the only ones affected by addiction and mental health issues; family members are as well. In addition to ongoing family services, Northbound offers a four-day intensive Family Program to help you and your family work through the challenges that you face and develop sustainable strategies to focus on your own healing while also supporting your loved one in their recovery. The Family Program uses a combination of lectures, group counseling, experiential exercises, individual family therapy, and support groups to explore issues such as codependency, family roles, the medical disease model of addiction, healthy communication, and family recovery. Here you will have the opportunity to connect with others who are going through similar experiences and explore how to sustain yourself while best supporting your loved ones. Our team will provide both individualized attention and resources for continued care to ensure that your process of healing extends long after the Family Program is complete.
Why Northbound Works
Northbound works by providing a full continuum of integrated treatment that supports your loved one in overcoming their addiction and managing mental health to live a life of sustainable recovery. We understand the struggle you are going through. You do not have to face it alone. Call today to learn more about the programs at Northbound.
