{"id":12050,"date":"2018-06-25T16:16:22","date_gmt":"2018-06-25T21:16:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mentalhe180dev.wpenginepowered.com\/news\/10-tips-for-talking-about-addiction\/"},"modified":"2025-10-13T08:24:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-13T13:24:19","slug":"10-tips-for-talking-about-addiction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.grafik.mentalhealthfirstaid.org\/es\/news\/10-tips-for-talking-about-addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Tips for Talking About Addiction"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you notice a friend or loved one experiencing a substance use challenge, you may want to help, but might not know what to say or what to do. One of the first and most important steps you can take is to start the conversation and create a safe place where your loved ones feels comfortable talking about their experience.<\/p>\n

To express support, you must be an effective and compassionate communicator. When you know what to say and what to do, you can be the difference in the life of a loved one who may be experiencing an addiction challenge, and ultimately help them move toward recovery by pointing them to appropriate professional, peer or self-help strategies.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

To make these conversations as effective and compassionate as possible, keep these 10 tips for talking about addiction in mind:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Talk with them in a quiet place<\/strong> when both of you are sober and calm.<\/li>\n
  2. Let the person know you are concerned<\/strong> and willing to help.<\/li>\n
  3. Consider the person\u2019s readiness<\/strong> to talk about their substance use.<\/li>\n
  4. Identify and discuss their behavior<\/strong> rather than criticize their character.<\/li>\n
  5. Express your point of view<\/strong> by using \u201cI\u201d statements like, \u201cI have noticed\u2026\u201d or, \u201cI am concerned\u2026\u201d<\/li>\n
  6. Listen without judging<\/strong> the person an immoral or \u201cbad.\u201d<\/li>\n
  7. Treat the person with dignity and respect.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  8. Do not force<\/strong> the person to admit they have a problem.<\/li>\n
  9. Do not label<\/strong> or accuse the person of being an \u201caddict.\u201d<\/li>\n
  10. Have realistic expectations<\/strong> of the person. Their behavior will not change right away.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Talking about addiction can be difficult, and your words of support may not be well received initially. But don\u2019t get discouraged. Recovery from addiction is possible and your willingness to start a conversation may ultimately help someone get on the path to recovery.<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re not sure how to recognize if someone is experiencing an addiction challenge, take a Mental Health First Aid course<\/a> today. You\u2019ll learn the signs and risk factors of addiction, available resources and how to connect those in need to the most appropriate care.<\/p>\n

    #BeTheDifference in the life of your friends, family and loved ones \u2013 because you can.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    If you notice a friend or loved one experiencing a substance use challenge, you may want to help, but might not know what to say or what to do. One … Read more<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":12056,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"topic":[181,179],"news-type":[172],"class_list":["post-12050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","topic-mhfa-training","topic-substance-use","news-type-blog"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n10 Tips for Talking About Addiction<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you\u2019re not sure how to recognize if someone is experiencing an addiction challenge, take a Mental Health First Aid course today. 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