The discussion is worthwhile whether the person you care about chooses to enter treatment or not
Unfortunately, not all conversations about a person’s need to accept treatment for a substance use disorder result in them entering a program. Regardless, these challenging dialogues are an opportunity in and of themselves.
The Rehab Conversation shows you care
These conversations are about being proactive and helping a loved one who is suffering from addiction.
The objective is to convince the person to agree to get treatment for their drug or alcohol addiction. This is achieved by triggering a moment of clarity in which they realize and acknowledge the harm their addiction has caused those around them.
The person must feel loved and supported by you but also be shown there is a solution.
Typically, the solution will be a professional treatment program offered by a drug and alcohol rehab center.
By putting in the work of researching some of the options and being willing to step into this difficult discussion, you’re tangibly demonstrating to your loved one that you care deeply for them and believe they can create a positive change in their lives.
The Rehab Conversation starts an authentic dialogue
The conversation opens an honest and authentic dialogue between you and your loved one.
Since the motivation is helping them get better, communication should be kind, loving, and supportive. This isn’t the time or place for venting, arguing about who’s “right” or “wrong,” or unloading baggage.
Blaming, accusing, or saying hurtful or insulting things are likely to trigger defensiveness and denial, resulting in their refusal to accept help.
By the conversation occurs, authentic dialogue may have been absent from the relationship for a long time. These interactions will go a long way toward rebuilding the trust required for you and your loved one to engage on a deeper level.
The Rehab Conversation is a learning opportunity
Through the process of preparing for the conversation, you’ll learn about addiction and better understand the struggles your loved one is facing. This will help you approach them with love and compassion.
In addition, this learning will also help you and others in your future communications with your loved one.
By better understanding the point of view of the person with the addiction, you’ll be able to engage empathetically with them going forward.
Empathy is much more likely to create opportunities for constructive conversations.
The Rehab Conversation begins a realization process
If the person doesn’t agree to get treatment, don’t view the intervention as a failure—you’ve started a conversation. Follow up with them and try to continue the conversation and keep trying to persuade them.
For the person with drug or alcohol addiction, living with the consequences of refusing to get treatment can help persuade them of the seriousness of their problem.
This may take some time to sink in, which is why it’s critical that you fully commit and strictly enforce any consequences you described.
Following the conversation, any major drug- or alcohol-related incident in the person’s life, such as a DUI, a drug-related arrest, getting fired from their job, etc., are valuable opportunities to try to persuade them again to get treatment.
It’s your loved one’s choice
Ultimately, the choice to enter treatment needs to be made by the person with the addiction.
However, by doing the work of having the Rehab Conversation, you’re doing your part in assisting your loved one in their potential recovery.
We Can Help You
Whether you want to seek treatment near home, farther afield, or online, you have plenty of options with EHN Canada. We make care accessible with facilities all over Canada.
