How Do You Communicate With An Addict?

Believe me, communicating with an addict is not as easy as it might sound.  You will hear people say: "you have to treat them with - kid gloves" or "you have to practice tough love" or "you have to show them you are there for them"; but in reality, does any of these really work?  I am a recovering addict ... actually, I consider myself recovered addict because I have a stronger Will than the one it would take for me to go back into my addiction ... anyways, as a previous addict, I can honestly tell you that there is no way on this earth to communicate logically and sensibly with an addict.  Anything you tell them, they are going to see in the reverse.  If you are telling them what they are doing is going to kill them ... which you are probably right ... I promise you they are going to take it that you are against them and don't ever approve of anything they do - why should this be any different.  If you tell them that their friends are not their real friends because a real friend wouldn’t introduce drugs to them or use them with them, they are going to think you have always hated their friends … even if these are the first friends you have ever had a problem with.  I know this … I lived this for 14 months.  I am convinced that the only thing a person … regardless of the relationship … a mother, sister, grandmother, father, or grandfather … can do is to throw up their hands and walk away.  WALK COMPLETELY AWAY FROM THEM!!!!!!  Don’t give them money when they call.  Don’t argue with them when you say “No”.  Don’t lay in bed at night wondering what you could have done differently because there is nothing you can do for them while they are in their addiction.  They have to hit rock bottom all by themselves before they will be ready for help … and even then, you can’t rush in to help because any help will give them the hope that they can stay in their addiction.  They have to cleave to the bottom they way they cleaved to the high.