Being friends with a drug addict is one of the most difficult things to ever deal with. The love and care you feel for them often tugs and pulls at you to do things that you know are not in the person’s best interest. How you handle your friendship with a drug addict could be vital to their recovery and ultimately your own sanity. Here are some common situations that friends get put into, and how you should handle them:
Your drug addict friend asks to borrow money - When a drug addict asks for money…ever.. you need to say no. No matter what the sob story is. The reason? Drug addicts will do anything to get their hands on money for drugs. You are likely giving them money to feed their addiction. Instead of giving them money, buy them a dinner, pay the light bill for them (in person) or some other fool-proof method. Do not give them cash.
Your drug addict friend asks you to give them a lift anywhere - As sad as it is, a drug addict carries drugs. A drug addict picks up and buys drugs. If you are not absolutely certain of where you are going, then say no. If you are taking them anywhere, then you need to make certain they are not carrying. Do not be afraid to ask them to empty their pockets and show you. You have to protect yourself as well.
Your drug addict friend asks to move in with you - Again, the answer is no. The reasons are many, but the bottom line is that you will be enabling them to get worse. If you are really concerned about their well-being, then help them get into an addiction treatment center. This will give them the chance to get clean. Once this happens then you can consider helping them with a roof over their head if you feel the need.
Your drug addict friend will not change - This is the hardest part of being a friend of a drug addict. The simple fact is, you can be caught up in a criminal situation just by being near a drug addict that is holding. If a friend will not change and refuses to help themselves, you sometimes have to walk away. It takes rock bottom for some drug addicts to seek help so you are really doing them a favor. Make sure they know that you are there if they want to enter rehab or get better, but otherwise you can no longer see them.
These situations and responses seem harsh and they are. It is not to be mean or because you do not care. It is because doing anything else is enabling the drug addict to continue their behavior. You also can not risk your own personal safety. Always be a pillar of strength, and offer help with getting them treatment when you can. This will lead you to a better friendship that is drug free if they are willing to take the help.
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For a drug addict, admitting they have a problem presents an enormous barrier, and in the vast majority of cases, they cannot get through this stage without help. Many organizations and medical centers have help available, but they cannot begin the process until the addict acknowledges the problem. It is at this time that the addict may need a friend to perform a drug abuse intervention.