It’s incredibly difficult to watch someone you love struggle with the throes of addiction. No matter how much you care about them, no matter what they mean to you, you can’t live their life for them. It’s natural and normal to feel helpless as they suffer, and then cause further suffering to those around them. We often receive calls from frightened people, wondering how to get their loved ones to our alcohol rehab in Los Angeles facility. Just as with every other part of the recovery process, it isn’t easy. There are some things you can say and do during an “intervention conversation” that might help.

“Tough Love” Isn’t Always Effective

Defending on your relationship to the person, or how they might have hurt you, you might feel compelled to show “tough love” to the addict. Typically, that’s not as effective as showing them how much you care, and how much you’re concerned for them. Whether you’re doing this as part of an actual “intervention,” or if you’re just bringing up rehab during a frank but necessary conversation, remember what your ultimate goal here is: to get the addict to realize they need help and go to rehab. Showing that you’re saying this out of love and that you want what’s best for them, can make a huge difference. You don’t have to worry about the words so much, as long as you speak from the heart, they’ll know.

Talk to them When They’re Sober and Calm

It can feel like the right time to talk to an addict you care about is when they’re high or drunk, but that can only make it more difficult. They might not remember what you said, and they’ll almost certainly not be able to process it. Wait until they’ve sobered up to have the discussion. Another factor to watch for is if they’re enraged, or in emotional tumult over something. If you try to interact with them then, it can be almost as challenging as when they aren’t sober. When the addict you care about is calm and sober, then you can have a conversation.

Don’t Do All the Talking

When you’ve been hurt by someone’s addictive behavior, and you have a moment to really tell them about it, it could feel like a release to “let them have it.” Shouting at them about everything they’ve done wrong might be emotionally satisfying for a moment, but it probably won’t help your case. Make sure to listen as much as you talk. Give them plenty of opportunities to speak as well. We recommend assisting them in making connections between their destructive behaviors and an inability to do the things they once loved.

Research Alcohol Rehab in Los Angeles

You can prepare for this kind of conversation by bringing in information about Carus Recovery. That way, you can tell them as much as possible about the facility, what they can expect, and so forth. For more help about talking to a loved one, give us a call at (888) 616-9075.