Tips to Compassionately Confrontation an Addict
Key Facts:
- Most addicts start the road to recovery because a loved one was brave enough to confront them.
- Lighthouse Network offers family and friends of those struggling with addictions practical tips on how to best confront addicts in a caring manner to encourage them to get the life-saving help they need.
- The healing power of Jesus Christ can often make the difference between success and failure as an addict attempts sobriety.
- Pastors who have engaged with Lighthouse Network to get help for a congregation member or to start an addiction ministry see better recovery success for those using Lighthouse Network
For loved ones of self-destructing addict – whether it be drugs, alcohol, food, pornography, or other life interfering behaviors – confronting the issue and getting help may seem impossible. But we would like to offer some battle tested practical tips for addressing the issue in a caring, non-threatening way.
We encourage husbands, wives, adult children, or even close friends to definitely confront the addict. But my definition of confront might be a bit different than what you are thinking when you usually hear ‘confront.’ My definition of confront is conveying concern for their well-being while offering real truth and hope without anger or condemnation. By showing God’s love to an addict who is hurting – and all of us are hurting – you are able to tear down defensive walls and help an addict to see him or herself as God does: as a person made in God’s image who has a purpose and is worthy of love and a rich, full life free of addictions.
Most family members and loved one really still love the addict in their lives, but addictions are contagious in how they infect the thinking and emotions of those close to the addict. Then communicating compassionately, setting healthy boundaries, saying ‘no’ when necessary, go out the window and resentment, shame, guilt, isolation, anger, and knee-jerk responses are the usual course. Lighthouse Network helps loved ones channel their love in a way that will help understand and influence the addict as best as is possible, preserving their sanity and often times saving the life of their loved one.
Lighthouse Network can help loved ones of an addict by finding them support programs, creating an intervention plan, and then by finding the right treatment program or facility – all with a healthy dose of prayer. Tim Patrick, Pastor of Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia and leader of the church’s addiction ministry, believes that the addition of prayer to the process makes a significant difference.
In our program we minister to addicts; 95 percent of them are hooked on drugs or alcohol,” said Patrick. “We have lots of people getting saved and getting sober with the help of Lighthouse Network. They come alongside the addicts in our group, they get to know their needs, and then they pray about what the right treatment program or facility might be and it’s made all the difference in the world.
To help those that truly struggle with such addictions, or with other mental health issues, or for those that love them, Lighthouse Network offers the free, 24-hour Lighthouse Network Addiction and Counseling Helpline toll-free at (844) 543-3242. Lighthouse Network works to guide struggling people through storms to find peace and find answers for people who have a hard time defining their particular problem or have difficulty finding the right answers from other often-confusing sources. Lighthouse Network finds life-changing treatment that altogether addresses spirit, mind and body, concerning addiction or psychiatric issues. Many have expressed relief to finally find Lighthouse Network so that help and healing may begin.
Lighthouse Network has many online resources, recovery blog, Stepping Stones Devotional, and articles where those struggling can find help for their addiction problems, or family members can find help for a loved one. Our new website has more online help for those struggling with alcohol, addictions, and other mental health or life management issues for those who want to improve and grow in their personal development.