Reprieve Recovery is one of Florida’s leading substance abuse treatment providers. This page contains information and guidance to assist families in helping a loved one with addiction.
Supporting a Loved One Struggling With Addiction
Watching someone you love caught in the undertow of addiction is one of life’s great challenges for those who must endure it. It’s easy to feel powerless, but the truth is there are things you can do to help your addicted son, daughter, spouse or other loved one.
Addiction is a health condition, not a choice or a personal weakness. Approaching it with empathy makes a real difference. The first step is simply acknowledging the problem and being willing to talk about it without judgment.
5 Ways to Support a Loved One with an Addiction:.
- Acknowledge the problem and move past denial.
- Listen openly and offer encouragement.
- Remind your loved one that treatment is about healing, not punishment.
- Recognize when it may be time for addiction treatment.
- Support them by researching rehab options or attending a meeting.
Understanding Addiction and How Treatment Helps
Addiction affects the brain and body. It makes it difficult for someone to control their use of drugs or alcohol, even when it harms health, relationships, or daily life. This condition is not a weakness or a lack of willpower. It is a medical issue that requires care, compassion, and professional support.
Treatment helps people break free from that cycle. It teaches healthier coping skills, offers therapy and peer support, and provides structure to rebuild trust and stability. Recovery takes time, but with the right help, individuals can regain control and create a life that feels meaningful and sustainable.
ticed the signs of addiction
Addiction treatment offers:
- Medical stabilization and professional care
- Therapy to address underlying issues
- Peer and family support
- Coping skills for stress and triggers
- Structure and accountability for lasting recovery
We Accept Most Major Insurance Plans
Understanding insurance for treatment isn’t always straightforward, and we do our best to make the process easier. Our team has experience working directly with insurance providers and can guide you through what your plan may cover.
10 Signs That Someone May Need Rehab
Recognizing when someone you love might need addiction treatment can seem hard, but it’s well worth the energy and focus.. Here are 10 common indicators that drug or alcohol use may have reached the point where treatment is needed:
- Frequent intoxication or noticeable withdrawal symptoms
- Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home
- Pulling away from family and friends
- Mood swings, irritability, or sudden personality changes
- Risky behaviors such as driving drunk/high or other unsafe choices
- Health problems linked to substance use, including sleep or appetite changes
- Failed attempts to cut back or quit on their own
- Spending more time and money on substances than before
- Loss of interest in hobbies or activities they once enjoyed
- Denial or defensiveness when drug use or drinking are mentioned
These signs alone do not guarantee someone has an addiction, but they suggest it may be time to consider rehab. Professional addiction treatment provides structure, support, and tools to help break the cycle and establish recovery.
Ways Families Can Help a Loved One Enter Addiction Treatment
Families often see the need for help before their loved one does. Taking action can feel intimidating, but gentle persistence and clear communication make a difference. The goal is not to force treatment, but to encourage it and show that support is available.
When substance use begins to harm health, relationships, or daily life, families can step in with compassion. Honest conversations, practical help, and consistent encouragement can guide someone toward taking that first step into rehab.
Families can help by:
- Talking openly about concerns without judgment
- Pointing out specific changes in behavior or health
- Sharing information about treatment options and what to expect
- Offering to make calls or attend an initial appointment together
- Expressing care and hope rather than blame or criticism
- Staying patient if the first conversation does not lead to immediate action
- Exploring health insurance coverage or financial help for substance abuse treatment
FAQs About Helping an Addicted Loved One
How Do I Start A Conversation About Addiction with my Loved One?
The first thing to understand about talking to a loved one about their addiction is that kindness and listening go a long way. You may be justifiably angry, frustrated and afraid.
Tips for the conversation:
- Try to stay calm. Get a handle on your emotions the best you can.
- Remember what your goal is: to get your loved one help, NOT to push them away.
- Have a plan and follow it. You might even call a rehab beforehand to find out options.
- Share your concerns calmly and without blame.
- Listen and hear what they have to say.
It’s completely normal for you to be upset, afraid, and even angry. Just remember that bringing those emotions into this conversation is unlikely to get you to your goal. It is more likely to upset your loved one or cause them to be defensive or shut down. If you want to reach them, you must stay calm, and they must feel heard. Frame the issue as both of you against the addiction. Not you vs. them. Remember, you’re on the same team.
Can I Force My Loved One Into Rehab if They Are Unwilling?
Trying to force someone into drug rehab against their will should be the last resort after all else has failed. If your son, daughter or other family member has refused multiple offers of help, we recommend a family intervention first. Ideally, you would hire a trained professional to stage an intervention. Professional interventions are successful more often than not (70-80%) at getting the person into treatment.
If all else fails, some states have laws that let you petition the court to legally force someone into alcohol and drug treatment for their own safety.
Florida’s Marchman Act
In Florida the law is called The Hal S. Marchman Alcohol and Other Drug Services Act of 1993 (Florida Statute 397.693) or “The Marchman Act”. In short, the person must “Have lost the power of self‑control with respect to substance use.” and “Be likely to cause physical harm to themselves or others” or “Be unable to appreciate their need for addiction services or make rational decisions about treatment”. You will also need three adults with personal knowledge of your loved one’s addiction. The Marchman Act petition is filed with the clerk of the circuit court in the county where the person resides or is located.
When is Addiction Intervention Necessary?
A family intervention for addiction is often the last stop on the block when a loved one with addiction has refused all offers of help. The point when people decide to stop moving downward in their addiction spiral and accept help is commonly referred to as “the bottom” or “rock bottom”.
The idea behind an intervention, simply, is to raise the person’s bottom. In other words, create conditions that are uncomfortable enough that accepting help to go to addiction treatment becomes the easier/most attractive option to them. You do this by both setting firm boundaries and offering treatment.
Planning and holding the line on boundaries are the meat and potatoes of a successful intervention. You’re only as strong as the weakest link. Everyone needs to hold the line. Working with a professional, certified interventionist gives you the best chance of success.
Next Steps Toward Recovery
Helping a loved one with addiction starts with recognizing the signs, having a plan and opening a dialogue. Families play a vital role by speaking openly, showing compassion, and guiding their loved one toward professional care. Recovery is possible, and taking the first step into rehab can change the course of someone’s life.
If you see these signs in someone you care about, don’t wait. Explore treatment options, learn about available resources, and reach out for professional guidance. A simple call can open the door to healing and begin the journey toward lasting recovery.
About Reprieve Recovery Addiction Treatment in West Palm Beach, Florida
At Reprieve Recovery Center, we focus on creating treatment plans that reflect each person’s needs. Our goal is to provide care that supports lasting recovery, using a mix of therapies and approaches that encourage a healthy, substance-free life. Call us at (561) 783-3431 for help today.
