September is national recovery month, and an important first step in any recovery path can be having a conversation about it. Do you know someone who is currently struggling with addiction and you are not sure how to talk to them about it? Whether you are wanting to speak with a family member, friend, coworker, or a person you barely know, it can be a challenging conversation to start. However, having that conversation about addiction can be life-changing for the person struggling and may be what they need to hear. When starting the conversation, focus on the overall purpose of the conversation, which is to provide support, rather than the fear of having the conversation. Start the conversation being honest about your feelings regarding the person you are talking to and their addiction. You can say something such as, “I am worried about your health” or “I really care about you and want to help you”. Next, offer some support. You can help come up with ways for the individual to cut back on their addiction, provide addiction resources, or refer them to someone who can help. Finally, offer accountability, and help hold the person to their word and intentions of getting help. Ask how you can help to support them and offer ways to be involved in their treatment. Often, letting the person know they are not alone and that they have someone they can turn to can be very helpful to them seeking help. Here are several resources on addiction and starting a conversation with someone:
https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
