How to Successfully Convince a Loved One to Go to Rehab

You’re watching one of your loved ones struggle with an addiction problem. You don’t know how to tell them, but it hurts to watch their self-sabotage.

If this sounds like you, we understand. It isn’t easy to tell someone you love that they need to go to rehab. However, your encouragement might be the essential push they need to get better. TheRetreat represents a non-clinical, mutual help approach to the problem of alcohol and drug dependency.

So, how do you convince a loved one that it’s time for them to go to rehab? Keep reading to find out.

When Is It Time To Seek Help?

How do you know when someone’s habit has crossed over into problematic drug addiction or alcohol addiction?

There are a few telltale signs you can look out for. These include:

• Reckless spending
• Acting secretive
• Irritable, mercurial, and/or depressed mood
• Inability to hold down a job
• Falling out with friends and family
• Failing to fulfill basic responsibilities

If you notice any of these patterns of behavior in your loved one, it may be time for them to go to rehab.

Be Firm — Not Cruel

Have an honest conversation with your loved one. It’s important to be open and firm about how their substance use affects both of you.

It’s okay to tell your loved one if their substance use hurts you. Explain how you feel in a way that is honest, but not unnecessarily mean or hurtful.

Stage An Intervention If Necessary

If having a one on one conversation with your loved one doesn’t seem effective, your next step should be staging an intervention.

In an intervention, you can gather friends, family, and anyone else who has been affected by this person’s substance abuse. Sometimes, addicts respond better when the people in their lives present a united front.

Set Their Expectations

Your loved ones may be apprehensive because they don’t know what’s going to happen to them at a rehab center. Make sure you do your research on the rehab center of your choice and let them know exactly how things are going to work.

You can check out this article from Hope Rising Recovery for an in-depth guide to what happens during alcohol addiction rehab.

Offer Support

Always offer your continued support to the addict in your life. Many addicts are afraid to get sober because it seems too daunting and they don’t think they can do it on their own.

Your loved one is more likely to try rehab if they know you’re going to be with them, both on the way there and when they’re released.

Convince Your Loved One To Go To Rehab

When it’s time for someone to go to rehab, don’t wait to take action. The sooner your loved one begins recovery, the easier it will be for them to get better.

Taking responsibility for someone else’s care is hard work. As you navigate this process, don’t forget to take care of yourself too!

For more advice like this, check out some more of our blog posts.