The Impact of Not Seeking Rehab Treatment 

While watching someone struggle with addiction or their mental health is extremely difficult, you may be wondering if they really need rehab or if it’s possible to address these issues without professional help. However, failing to seek rehab can have severe effects and far-reaching consequences for both your loved one and those who care for them. 

Both addiction and mental health issues can have significant effects on physical health. This can manifest differently in each person, leading to chronic health issues and significant mental health decline. When left untreated, mental health and addiction can cause strains on relationships, and traumatic effects on the family, especially if children are involved. 

These conditions can also cause career issues, legal difficulties, and an overall feeling of loss of purpose, and hope. 

If you’re wondering if your loved one needs rehab, the answer is almost always yes. Let’s look at how to prepare for the conversation and motivate your loved one to receive help.

Preparing for the Conversation 

Before initiating a conversation with your loved one, the first step is to do some research on the drug rehab or mental health treatment center options available. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a wonderful resource for this. From their website, you can access a directory of providers and other resources. 

Understanding Addiction and Mental Health Disorders 

Before approaching your loved one, consider learning more about the issue they’re struggling with. Those who are living with addiction and mental health issues often feel that those closest to them don’t really understand what they’re going through. They might feel guilty, judged, and ashamed. 

Taking the time to understand the disease of addiction or mental health issues can help your loved one feel more accepted and receptive to receiving help. Consulting an addiction treatment center or mental health professional before speaking to your loved one can help you better understand what they’re going through and plan on how to approach them about going to rehab. 

What to Say 

It’s best not to approach a conversation about rehab without preparing. Try playing out the conversation in your head and including a range of potential responses. It’s helpful if there’s someone you can role-play the conversation with. These conversations are difficult, but they can feel less intimidating with a little practice. 

Make a list of the points you want to bring up and focus on your loved one. Be sure to use “I” statements and avoid blame. For example, “I’m worried about how this is affecting our relationship” instead of “Your substance use is tearing us apart.” 

While this is a very emotional time for both of you, be honest, be compassionate, use non-stigmatizing language, and focus on the known facts of the situation. 

Encouraging Loved Ones to Seek Treatment 

When motivating a loved one to seek rehab treatment, it’s important to offer factual examples of behaviors or incidents that have been concerning for you and try to stay away from generalized statements. 

For example, “I’ve noticed you’ve missed five days of work this month after staying out late with friends.” is more concrete than “I’m worried your drinking is affecting your job.”. Both statements are true. However, the second statement is too general. 

Offer Support 

Expressing support is essential when encouraging a loved one to seek treatment. Let them know that you’re there for them, that you will support them, and that you love them. Make it clear that your concern isn’t based on judgment and that seeking professional help isn’t a sign of weakness. 

It’s also important to establish and maintain boundaries for yourself. Offering support to your loved one and encouraging them to go to rehab doesn’t mean you have to place yourself in a position to be hurt or taken advantage of. 

Spending time with an addiction or mental health counselor can help you discover what these healthy boundaries look like and how you can maintain them while supporting your loved one. 

Offer Rehab Treatment Options 

Be prepared with rehab treatment options for your loved one. This is a step you can take that can help your loved one see that there are pathways to recovery. Think about offering locations of rehab treatment centers and the different types of available treatment programs. 

It can be helpful to share testimonials or success stories. You might also help set up a phone or in-person consultation where your loved one can have their concerns and questions answered directly. 

Dispelling Myths 

There are misconceptions and myths about drug rehab or alcoholism treatment that can cause hesitation or contribute to stigma around treatment. Initiate a conversation about these myths and offer reassurance. For example, your loved one might be concerned about appearing weak for needing rehab treatment or they may worry about confidentiality. 

Seeking help is always an act of courage, not weakness. Rehab isn’t shrouded in the stigma it once was, and there is a standard of upholding strict confidentiality and protecting patient privacy. Rehab isn’t just for the most severe cases. More people are taking steps to protect their health and quality of life by entering rehab programs. The duration of rehab and treatment plans are tailored to the individual’s needs. 

Create a Plan of Action

Take the initiative to create a plan of action with your loved one. Having concrete steps outlined can help your loved one feel more in control of the process. This might begin by contacting a rehab center and understanding their admission requirements. Create a plan to get any necessary documentation for insurance or referrals from doctors. 

The next step is to take care of daily life’s practical and logistical aspects. Decide together on transportation to and from the rehab center and a process for contacting their employer, school, or any other obligations they may have. If there are children at home, develop a plan for their care. Even if there is another parent in the home, the family will benefit from additional, loving support from others. 

Consider an Intervention 

What if you’ve taken all of these steps and your loved one is still unmotivated to go to rehab? It might be time to consider an intervention. An intervention specialist can assist in planning a time and place for an intervention, along with preparing you for how it will go.

Your loved one may feel attacked or ganged up on. They may feel that they are being unfairly portrayed or that the severity of their condition is being exaggerated. This can be a very emotional time for all parties involved.  For this reason, it’s important to have a neutral party in the room during an intervention to help guide the conversation and keep it moving in a productive direction. 

Support When You Need to Motivate Someone to Go to Rehab in Massachusetts 

If you’re concerned about your loved one’s mental health or substance use, we encourage you to reach out to us at Rockland Recovery. We can help both you and your loved one understand what is involved in the rehab process and what treatment will look like on an individual level. We’re here to answer questions and provide the support you need. Contact Rockland Recovery today at 888-299-4833.