How Can I Help Someone Who Went Through Drug Relapse?

One of the most heartbreaking experiences an individual may go through is watching a friend relapse back into abusing drugs or alcohol. It forces you to make difficult decisions that may put your friendship with the person in jeopardy, even though you are only concerned about her well-being. If you've got a friend who has recently relapsed, try as hard as you can to keep your head. There are steps that you can take to help your friend ultimately out of this difficult time.

Have the Talk

• A certainty you must face when a friend relapses is that you cannot sit idly be while your friend goes back down a dangerous path. You will need to confront him about it. Begin by forming a plan of what you want to say and when you want to say it. Remember that you will have to be as supportive as possible, so choose a time when this difficult talk will come easiest. Don't do it while he's high or hung over, or even in a bad mood. Allow the conversation to happen naturally, and adopt a caring tone. Be as honest as possible, even if you feel frustrated or angry, but show him with your words, not with your voice.

Understand the Relapse

• When a person relapses, it is because deep-seated chemical and psychological needs have come to the surface. Sometimes, the tension of worrying about a relapse is so great, your friend will want to relapse just to feel relieved of the stress. However, a friend who relapses is armed with the knowledge of her original recovery. Remind her of how wonderful it felt to be drug-free, and reinforce how proud you are that she stuck it out for so long. Do not protect her from the consequences of her relapse or try to control her drug use---those are her to deal with---but rather demonstrate to her a healthy, happy lifestyle outside of drug abuse.

Be Supportive

• Just talking to a person once does not demonstrate that you support him in his continued recovery. His relapse demonstrates that he is capable of being drug-free, and you should treat him as such. Help him to recall the various reasons why recovery was so important to him, and tell him all the ways quitting changed him for the better. Don't badger your friend repeatedly, as he may become hostile and unwilling to listen to you. On the other hand, walk the fine line between guilt-tripping him and enabling him by not bringing the subject up. You don't approve, and he should know that.