How to Help Someone Addicted to Xanax
Before individuals can address a substance addiction they must first admit that they have a problem and that they need help. Helping people recognize the addiction and agree to seek help is crucial to getting them started toward recovery from their substance use. This may be difficult, as individuals are often secretive and defensive about their drug use.
For people who are ready to stop abusing Xanax, the best way to help them is to make sure that they seek professional advice prior to stopping the drug, as withdrawal symptoms can be dangerous. People should be encouraged to be truthful about other substance use, so that the drug misuse can be addressed properly.
People in treatment and in recovery require supportive family and friends, even if these people don’t fully understand how addiction works. An understanding and encouraging support system is a major asset to successful, long-term recovery.
Intervention
An intervention is a confrontational approach to helping individuals with substance addiction to realize the extent of their addiction. A group of friends and family, sometimes with an addiction professional, gather and share their observations and concerns. They may even make an ultimatum. Interventions are usually complete surprise so the person can’t avoid the intervention.
People with substance addictions often deny having one. It is also typical of the psychology of substance use disorders that people convince themselves that they can stop or control their drug use on their own, even if they have failed on multiple attempts in the past.