Posted by 
Everyone goes through tough times but that is not enough reason to engage in drug use like 11% of Nigeria’s youth population is currently doing. As much as the state of the country is pushing young adults into depression, taking drugs as an escape or for eccentric purposes is counterproductive.
Drugs and illicit substances expose users to health complications like cancer, mental health conditions, lung or heart disease, and death in the long run. Initially, young adults engage in these activities for fun due to peer pressure and a desire to fit in, but it soon becomes a serious case of addiction.
When individuals become dependent on a drug or substance to go about their everyday life, they clearly have an addiction problem. Sadly, addiction ravages children and young adults alike. Here are five ways you can help a loved one on their drug addiction recovery journey.
- No Nagging and Guilt-Tripping
Once a drug abuser has decided to quit using drugs, you don’t need to make them feel more guilty than they already do. Build trust and remind them constantly that it is possible to stay off illicit substances completely.
- Educate Yourself
For you to help someone out of drug addiction, you must first educate yourself on what they are dealing with, their triggers, and their recovery process. Understanding all of this will ensure you don’t enable their habits or criticise them wrongly.
- Encourage Them to Get Professional Help
As long as you are not a trained personnel on drug addiction issues, you are not in the best position to give them expert advice. Seeking professional help ensures that they get a proper diagnosis of their situation and the care required for them to heal.
- Ensure They Are in a Healthy Environment
Being around other drug users while trying to get over drug addiction does not aid the recovery process. To avoid a relapse, ensure they stay in a healthy environment void of things that could trigger their desire to use substances.
- Carefully Provide Financial Assistance
While trying to assist them financially, it is easy to unknowingly fund their acquisition of more drugs, thereby enabling them to continue abusing substances. If you must provide financial help to a drug abuser, do so carefully. You can pay for things directly to the source or ensure they provide a receipt of what was purchased if you need to give them the funds in person.
Drug addiction is ruining lives if not curbed early. This is why MTN Foundation, through its Anti-Substance Abuse Programme (ASAP), has put together activities to teach young people about substance abuse in an enlightening and participatory manner.
The fight for a drug-free society is everyone’s fight and no one should be left out. You can be a part of MTN ASAP’s advocacy walk happening on June 25, 2022, in Abuja and Lagos.
The post 5 Ways to Help a Loved One on Their Drug Addiction Recovery Journey appeared first on Nigerian Entertainment Today.
Source: TheNet
