11 www.rnca.ca Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Association I think my family member may have an issue with substance use. WHAT SHOULD I DO? The most important thing to do is be there for your friend or family member if s/he needs to talk. It is important to remind yourself that you cannot fix it, but you can support your friend if s/he chooses to get help. It can be really tough to watch a friend or loved one struggle with addiction. Remind yourself of the four C’s: you didn’t create it, you didn’t cause it, you can’t cure it and you can’t control it. If your loved one is not ready to make changes with his/her substance use, you can still seek support for yourself so that you can learn how to cope and take care of yourself. Having the support of family members and/or friends may help people feel more supported to take steps toward treatment. Here are some simple things to start with: • Raise your concerns with the person and let him or her know you are available to listen; • Provide factual information about the consequences or concerns associated with their substance use. If the person gets angry or denies there is a problem, be patient but firm; • Be positive and encourage change instead of blaming the person or making him or her feel guilty; • Find out about available treatment programs and tell the person about them; and, • Learn about the nature of drug abuse and addiction to give yourself a better understanding of the problem and how to best deal with it. www.bridgethegapp.ca
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