Cycle of addiction, what should I ask?
by Barry
What are most informative questions to ask a former drug addict who has been through alcohol and cocaine
addictions?
I’m trying to understand his cycle of addiction and recovery…?
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Getting the Story
People don’t just become drug addicts or alcoholics. How did they understand their own experience and what changed to get them into treatment? How did you know you were addicted? When did your drug use go from recreation to need? What happened to your relationships with family, friends and people you love? Addicts all have an important life story to tell. Listen carefully and ask you questions based on the responses you receive. |
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Cycle of addiction…
Hi Barry, I think the most important question would be – have you ever been to an Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meeting? At these meetings they would meet others in the same or similar situations as themselves. Also, another good place for them to start would be at a physician’s office (if they would be honest with them about their addictions). I am a recovering alcoholic and that is where I started and got a lot of help. However, the person must want help and recovery. Forcing someone to get help rarely has any affect. Believe me, I tried to help my son in every way and to no avail. He is now in jail. I think now he is finally ready to get clean and to do what he needs to do but it is up to him. I attend Al Anon meetings (for families and friends of alcoholics and drug addicts) and they have helped me immensely! There you would meet others in the same or similar situation as yourself. YOU ARE NOT ALONE in trying to help someone with a substance abuse problem. However, sometimes the best place to start is to get help for yourself and as Al Anon says, walk your own road and allow others to walk theirs. I’m not saying not to help them get help if they want it but just that they really have to want it. Good luck and I’ll pray for you-Lynette |
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Dear Trying
Ned gave great feedback on this post. There are some good questions that can be asked to confirm alcohol/drug dependency. To go one step further though at some point the “why” of addiction becomes a non-issue. Often people will keep asking why for years or decades. Some of lives struggles, adversities, and even trauma may play a role. Sadly though some will look at past issues or abuse as a reason to continue or pass the blame. The best option is to get the person help to stop all use. As long as substance abuse is ongoing change will not happen. Emotional growth is on hold. Once the use has stopped “recovery” can begin. They’re are ways to deal with or make peace with the most horrific abuse and move on. Recovery is talk therapy. Talk therapy takes away the power of painful memories. Once that has happened serenity and peace of mind will replace the anxiety of being in bondage to substances. It’s happening all the time in “those rooms.” Best, Joe |
