Next Steps: Dealing With Addiction in a Loved One

Presenter

Racquel Merritt, MSW, LCSW, LCAS

EAP Counselor

Racquel Merritt is an EAP counselor, licensed

clinical social worker, and licensed clinical

addictions specialist. She has a diverse

counseling background in substance use,

severe and persistent mental illness, and

spiritual health and wellness. She has been

working in the field for over six years and

enjoys connecting with people all over the

world and assisting them as they progress

through life’s challenges on a daily basis.

Learning Objectives

• Define addiction

• Learn some warning signs of addiction

• Discuss how to handle addiction issues

• Identify sources of support for both the loved one

and yourself

Over 20 million people in the United States have issues

with addictions

What is an Addiction?

• A disease of the brain or thought process that leads to an

individual becoming preoccupied with a certain behavior

• After engaging in the behavior over a period of time, the

person’s brain chemistry is changed, and the person

experiences only pleasure from the behavior and is not

able to resist the impulse to engage in the behavior

• The person will compulsively seek out the behavior and

engage in the behavior in spite of experiencing harmful

consequences

Did You Know?

No two persons with addiction issues are the same

What are the Warning Signs?

• Repeated arguments with family members

• Irritability, depression, and or mood swings

• Engages in behavior alone or in secrecy

• Hides or is dishonest about how often engages in behavior

• Changes in personal hygiene-looking disheveled

• A family history of addiction

• Experiences withdrawal symptoms when not able to engage in behavior

Poll

From the warning signs listed in the previous

slide, have you noticed any of these signs?

A. Yes

B. No

What are the next steps?

• Pre-contemplation

• Contemplation

• Preparation

• Action

• Maintenance

• Relapse

Stages of Change

What’s Next?

• Set healthy boundaries

• Seek counseling

• Provide resources

• Express your love and concern

They are not Alone…

Within a day, more than 700,000 people seek

treatment for drug or alcohol addiction

Poll

Are You an Enabler?

• Do you often make excuses for your loved one’s

behavior?

• Do you take care of your loved one financially?

• Do you take on your loved one’s

responsibilities?

Treatment for Addiction Issues

• Outpatient therapy or counseling

• Detoxification services

• Self-help and peer support groups

• Inpatient or residential counseling/therapy

Locating Treatment Centers

• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

– http://www.samhsa.gov

• Contact your EAP

Support Groups

• Alcoholics Anonymous

• Narcotics Anonymous

• Marijuana Anonymous

• Gambling Anonymous

• Al-Anon Family Support Groups

For More Information…

Contact Your EAP

Or

Work-Life Program

For

Assistance

Thank You

Questions?

3180

Works Cited

TriHealth. (2016). 3 Ways to support a loved one struggling with addiction. Retrieved on June 6, 2016.

Retrieved from https://www.trihealth.com/dailyhealthwire/miscellaneous/3-ways-to-support-a-

loved-one-struggling-with-addiction

Renew Media, LLC. (2011). Addiction & recovery: The stats. Retrieved on June 6, 2015. Retrieved

from http://www.reneweveryday.com/resources/addiction-recovery-facts

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. (2015). Helping a family member or friend.

Retrieved on May 26, 2016. Retrieved from https://www.ncadd.org/family-friends/there-is-

help/helping-a-family-member-or-friend

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2015). Recovery and support.

Retrieved on June 1, 2016. Retrieved from http://www.samhsa.gov/recovery

National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. (2015). Signs and symptoms. Retrieved on

June 1, 2016. Retrieved from https://www.ncadd.org/about-addiction/signs-and-symptoms/signs-

and-symptoms

Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University. (2009). The stages of change. Retrieved on May 27,

2016. Retrieved from http://www.cpe.vt.edu/gttc/presentations/8eStagesofChange.pdf