It is heartbreaking to hear from a teenager who wants to help their mom get treatment for alcohol and drug abuse and into a drug rehab center. But, at the same time, it is also enlightening to find that even young people can take proactive action to get help for his or her alcoholic or addict parent. You can also be proactive and take action now to help a friend or a loved one stop their alcohol and drug abuse, get them an intervention and into a drug rehab facility. If you are concerned that a friend or family member has a drinking or drug problem, pay attention to his or her behavior. Does it seem to occur on a regular basis? Are you often concerned about this person? The first step in getting help is to recognize the signs and symptoms of alcohol or drug abuse. Some of the early signs of alcohol abuse include noticing that the person is getting drunk on a regular basis, lying about how much alcohol he or she is using, having frequent hangovers, having black outs (forgetting what the person did while he or she was drinking). Signs of drug addiction may include the person’s inability to socialize and to perform routine activities, odd behaviors (altered speech, paranoia, lying) and very often, signs of depression (or “feeling down”). Depending on what drug they are using, you may also find drug paraphernalia in his or her surroundings.
