After you have gone to alcohol rehab or drug rehab, there might come a time when you are going to be working with another alcoholic or drug addict. It might seem like you can help them all at once or instantly change their life. However, there are some things you should keep in mind to help them in the best ways possible.
Don’t Press Them to Talk About Themselves
According to Chapter 7 of the Big Book, you should never press someone to talk about themselves. They will do so when they are ready. You can tell them about your stay in an alcohol rehabilitation or drug rehabilitation and talk to them about your recovery. However, you should never push them to talk all about themselves or they may resent you for it. They may say that you rushed them into recovery.
Let Them Steer Conversations
When you are talking to another alcoholic or drug addict, whether they are still active in their addiction or in recovery, you should always let them steer the conversations. This way they can release the information they are ready to give out without you forcing it out of them. In addition, by letting them steer the conversations, you can get a better handle on where they are in their recovery process or where they are in wanting to get into recovery.
Don’t Talk Down to Them
You should never talk down to another alcoholic or drug addict. Remember, you have been in their place at least once, or maybe more than that. You can’t talk down to them just because you are now in recovery. This doesn’t make you a better person than they are. They just might not be ready to face their addiction yet. If you talk down to them, they are not going to come to you for help when they are ready.
These are the things you should be doing when you are talking to or working with another alcoholic or drug addict. If you can follow these tips, they are more likely to turn to you when they want or need help. They are more likely to turn to you when they want to get into an alcohol or drug treatment center. At that point, you can have them call 888-992-7955, to get the help they need.
