WEBVTT 00:00.740 --> 00:03.380 recovery from an addiction is possible 00:03.390 --> 00:05.580 and support from friends and family is 00:05.580 --> 00:08.210 crucial . Dr phillips . Can you tell us 00:08.210 --> 00:10.460 how to help someone with an addiction ? 00:10.840 --> 00:13.640 Sure thing . Dr Patel . It's important 00:13.640 --> 00:15.730 to note that abruptly stopping heavy 00:15.730 --> 00:18.110 and regular use of certain substances 00:18.230 --> 00:21.560 such as alcohol or benzodiazepines can 00:21.560 --> 00:24.620 cause seizures or even death for this 00:24.620 --> 00:26.564 reason , consulting with a medical 00:26.564 --> 00:28.676 professional before starting any form 00:28.676 --> 00:31.810 of self help strategy is essential . A 00:31.810 --> 00:33.580 medical provider can prescribe 00:33.580 --> 00:36.120 medications to ease withdrawal symptoms 00:36.130 --> 00:38.310 and make it less likely that the 00:38.320 --> 00:41.170 individual will return to substance use . 00:41.770 --> 00:44.210 In some cases , a provider may 00:44.210 --> 00:46.590 recommend an inpatient stay to more 00:46.590 --> 00:48.757 closely monitor physical health during 00:48.757 --> 00:51.780 recovery because it's so difficult to 00:51.790 --> 00:54.570 overcome addiction independently . Many 00:54.570 --> 00:56.740 people struggling with addiction often 00:56.740 --> 00:59.370 seek help in the community . There are 00:59.370 --> 01:01.290 several community based resources 01:01.290 --> 01:03.346 available for people struggling with 01:03.346 --> 01:05.720 addiction as well as concerned family 01:05.720 --> 01:09.280 members and friends For instance , many 01:09.280 --> 01:11.620 people have found 12 step programs to 01:11.620 --> 01:14.510 be highly effective . Other helpful 01:14.510 --> 01:16.850 programs include smart recovery , 01:17.330 --> 01:19.580 celebrate recovery , moderation 01:19.580 --> 01:23.410 management and rational recovery . Some 01:23.410 --> 01:25.510 helpful tips for friends or family 01:25.510 --> 01:28.280 members of an addict include find a 01:28.280 --> 01:30.280 therapist or support group that can 01:30.280 --> 01:32.560 assist you in managing your emotions 01:32.570 --> 01:34.700 and determine how to respond to 01:34.700 --> 01:36.756 difficult situations with your loved 01:36.756 --> 01:39.880 one . Learn all you can about alcohol 01:39.890 --> 01:43.320 and drug misuse and addiction . Speak 01:43.320 --> 01:46.200 up and offer support , talk to the 01:46.200 --> 01:48.780 person about your concerns and offer to 01:48.780 --> 01:51.850 go with them to get help . Don't wait 01:51.850 --> 01:54.690 for your loved 1 to hit bottom . The 01:54.690 --> 01:56.912 earlier addiction is treated the better 01:57.540 --> 02:00.040 be specific about examples of behaviour 02:00.050 --> 02:02.570 that have you worried . Don't expect 02:02.570 --> 02:05.880 the person to stop without help and 02:05.880 --> 02:08.290 support recovery as an ongoing long 02:08.290 --> 02:11.760 term process . There are also things 02:11.760 --> 02:14.310 you should not do as a family member or 02:14.310 --> 02:16.532 a friend of a person struggling with an 02:16.532 --> 02:19.930 addiction . Those things include don't 02:19.930 --> 02:22.990 preach lecture , threaten bribe or more 02:22.990 --> 02:26.530 allies . Don't be a martyr , avoid 02:26.530 --> 02:28.550 emotional appeals and guilt trips . 02:29.340 --> 02:32.300 Don't cover up lie or make excuses for 02:32.300 --> 02:35.180 the addicts behavior . Don't take on 02:35.180 --> 02:37.347 their responsibilities or protect them 02:37.347 --> 02:39.680 from the consequences of their behavior . 02:40.340 --> 02:42.284 Don't argue when they're under the 02:42.284 --> 02:44.820 influence , don't feel guilty or 02:44.820 --> 02:47.300 responsible for their behavior and 02:47.300 --> 02:49.500 don't join them or try to keep up with 02:49.500 --> 02:52.480 them by drinking , using or engaging in 02:52.480 --> 02:53.340 the activity .