How To Get Help For An Addiction Mental Health

Introduction

Addiction mental health can prove devastating to those dealing with it; family members may watch as an addict struggles with insomnia, unexplained weight loss and involuntary muscle spasms. In severe cases, drug or alcohol addictions can lead to coma or death. Thankfully, there are several avenues of treatment to help someone suffering from an addiction mental health. It is not recommended that someone try to curb an addiction by themselves, as these attempts usually fail and a person's addiction may become more severe with time. Confiding in family members and friends and building a team of support can help an addict overcome his or her troubles. Family members and friends can also intervene and help an addict seek treatment by looking for signs of addiction, such as unexplained or long absences, missing work or school, showing little interest in hobbies once enjoyed, stealing money or other items from others and a change in mood or demeanor. These signs can also be symptoms of other mental health problems, such as stress or depression. A non-confrontational discussion outlining concerns with a possible addict can help open the lines of communication and help get an addict into treatment.

Step 1

Consider the type of addiction mental health from which you are suffering and use a search engine to find support groups for a particular type of addiction. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has several chapters throughout the United States that meet in several locations regularly, for example. Those who feel they cannot confide in family members or friends may derive a sense of support from people going through a similar experience. Meeting regularly and fostering a close relationship with a mentor in an addiction support group can help hold a person accountable as he or she tries to recover from an addiction.

Step 2

Look for therapists dealing with a particular type of addiction, or if you are young, find a trustworthy teacher, religious figure or family friend in whom you can confide. These people may be able to refer you to organizations or counselors who can help you curb your addiction mental health. Therapists can also offer therapy and prescription medications that may be able to help you recover from an addiction mental health.

Step 3

Remove people from your life who are encouraging an unhealthy or addictive lifestyle. Drug dealers or other suppliers should be ignored - change your phone number if necessary and remove contact information from your phone. Surround yourself with supportive people who will hold you accountable as you recover from your addiction mental health. It may also be important to avoid places where you know drugs or alcohol are likely to be as you go through recovery.

Step 4

Figure out any underlying motivations that may have caused you to turn to addiction. If you felt helpless or useless in your life, try to find a job or go back to school for further training. Solving an underlying problem can keep you from giving into an addiction later on.

Step 5

It may be recommended that you find something to take your mind off of an addiction, such as getting involved in a charitable organization or volunteering your time to a school or nursing home. Greater productivity can reduce the amount of time once made available for an addiction mental health.

Tips

You will likely have to avoid drugs or alcohol for the rest of your life after recovering from an addiction. Ask your therapist or addiction counselor about your recovery prospects and what you should do to avoid becoming addicted again in the future. When faced with temptation, such as being at a party where alcohol is being served, ask your therapist or counselor about mental techniques that can help you overcome the temptation.

Explain your recovery efforts to those around you. Family members and friends should be supportive if you turn down a drink or avoid outings where alcohol, drugs or other items will likely tempt you back into a previous addiction. Those who insult or chide you while you recover from an addiction should be removed from your life.

Read books and pamphlets that deal with your particular addiction.

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