A member of my family is currently fighting a heroin addiction. She is trying to stay on the right path, but what is there that I can do to encourage her other than just talking to her? Can I do anything more than supportive talk to encourage her to stay clean and to live a better lifestyle?
I think you're underestimating how helpful it is to be able to talk about things and have someone to encourage you. Those are really big things. If she's ready for an organized program, that can be a great step. It will give her more people to talk to who have been there and are working to climb back to sobriety.
Try to do beneficial activities with her if you have time. Like going outside having a walk, strolling or do sports. Try to have a new hobby with her if ever you both have the same interests. Just like singing together.
Remind of the things that would interest her that she obviously can't do when she is using heroin. Encourage her to get into some sort of activity that will force her to quit, like going back to school or getting a job that requires drug testing, or something like that! Even if it's like a class at the community center or something like that!
Establishing clear consequences, effects of the cause, has been important in my experience. For example, the biggest motivation for a struggling parent can be the idea that they could lose their kids. However, this approach can easily deteriorate into threats which, to be clear, are NOT what the typical addict wants or needs to hear.
By just being with her is already a great help. By showing her that you are supporting her and that you love her can give her the will to continue to fight her addiction. It wouldn't be easy for her or for you too for that matter, there are times that you have to be strong for her too. More, if you can encourage her to do other productive things that both of you can benefit.
There are so many ways that you can do, actually. Perhaps you just need to be enlightened some more. Can that family member of yours still decide on her own? If she can't, then it's best to intervene is a few necessary decisions. For instance, enrol her in a support group or a rehab program. She may not take the initiative herself. Ask her to exercise with you all the time. This will remove the toxins from her body and keep her mind off taking heroin. You can also accompany her to the doctor or help her drink herbal supplements to fast track her recovery.
Just being there for her is probably the best thing you can do with the resources that you have. Don't underestimate how much support can mean to someone. Talk to her, encourage her and keep her motivated.
Yes, I suggest you should hang out and do things she loves with her. It's great for bonding and can help her realize that you can find fun and happiness in this world. Just being there for her when she's going through rough times is great. Having a good laugh with your friend is also very great.
You could try having a more active participation if you think you could do more than just giving her someone who could communicate with her openly. For example you could find some nice activities you both can share so she could keep her mind off of her issues and also it can offer some good bonding time to even further the strength of your connection to her.
You know, you ask a very pertinent question. Often times, we try to help people and it's like trying to push an unmovable mountain; cause the whole thing about it is that our friends and family members won't stop the abuse of substances until they make a decision to do so themselves. I believe all we can do is create the atmosphere for them to do so. In essence, talking and using positive words and words that will enlighten them as to the damages that the substance abuse has caused and may cause, is one of the best ways to set them free. They cannot be forced, but they can be made to see the "light".
Yes I agree. An organized program is a good idea. But like you said, she has to be ready for it. Be prepared to spend also, because helping people goes beyond just using words. We got to give them the resources so that they can overcome.
I have been there. I have helped a family member overcome an addiction and I have also been helped by loved ones to overcome mine. It can be a very painful experience. But it is extremely rewarding if you can stay committed to it. Imagine helping someone and standing by that person until he or she completely get healed from drug cravings. You would have saved a life. It is very complex. But all in all, you just need to be there for the person at all times. It might be too demanding and you might just get frustrated at times but if you really love her you would do everything in your power to help.
When you're struggling with heroin addiction, sobriety can seem like an impossible goal to reach. But that's not entirely true. I found myself that helping other people overcome their addiction is easier than helping yourself overcome it. You've got to remind them about the reasons they want to change, you want them to set goals, such as a quit date or limit their drug use, you can even tell other friends or family that you want to quit and ask for support! Everything is manageable, you just need the enough willpower!
I think there isn't much you can do to help her, other than keep on being helpful and encourage her. I think the greatest things is that she wants to stay clean, now all you can do is research more on the topic, about the different ways she can get clean, all her options and then discuss them with her. Other than that not much you can do, I think she has to do the most right now.
Of course, there's always something for you to do to help her. Well, you could somehow introduce her to new hobbies/activities that both of you could enjoy together. These things might keep her from thinking and doing substance abuse. There should definitely be emotional support all the time. All the best!
Get her articles to read about negative effects of abusing heroine. You should also be encouraging her so that she may realise that she is on the wrong path. She can manage to quit like any other successful person who has managed to quit abusing drugs.
You can get her other motivational material to read. Drugs can be harmful to her body, let her know that. There are motivational videos online that you can download for her. Continue talking to and if possible, you can involve your family members.