When a family member or friend is struggling with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, it can be difficult to see them heading down a dark path. Knowing when it’s time to step in and offer them help can be even harder. In some cases, this can mean sitting down and talking to your loved one about their substance abuse problem but for extreme cases of addiction, you might want to talk to an addiction specialist or treatment center about an intervention.

Knowing the signs that your loved one may need help can mean life or death, especially if they’re struggling with health problems from their addiction. Some 22.7 million people in the United States need help with a drug or alcohol addiction, but not even 1% of them will get themselves the help they need and into a treatment program.

If your loved one has shown any of the following signs or issues, it’s time to have a serious talk about getting help:

  1. Driving under the influence – no matter how much they try to convince you otherwise, there’s no circumstance that driving while high or drunk is acceptable. Driving while impaired is an extremely dangerous matter that could have serious consequences for your loved one, others in the car or on the road. Experience behind the wheel doesn’t matter, and this behavior is a major red flag that your loved one is no longer able to manage their substance use.
  2. Unable to fully quit using – If your family member or friend has tried to cut down on their use repeatedly, but always finds themselves unable to, it’s a common sign that they’re becoming or are already physically addicted.
  3. Problems at work or school – It’s not uncommon for people struggling with addiction to start having problems at school or work. It could start small, but the problem often grows as the addiction does, often ending in the loss of a job or expulsion from school.
  4. Harming themselves or others while under the influence – Intentionally or not, if your loved one has harmed themselves or hurt someone else while under the influence, it’s time to seek help.

Knowing the signs that it may be time to talk to your loved one about getting help for their substance abuse is key. It can be the deciding factor between stopping the cycle and letting them cause further harm to their health and their lives.

We know how important the right treatment is for you. That is why at The Springboard Center, we are providing the best possible treatment programs for recovery from addiction and alcoholism. Serving the Permian Basin, our treatment center offers the comforts of home while providing quality clinical care. Call us today for more information: (432) 620-0255