Vim & Vigor - Winter 2019 - CH - 41

Familiarize yourself with these signs:
3 Bloodshot eyes
3 Changes in appetite or sleep
3 Sudden changes in weight
3 Deterioration of appearance
Tremors, slurred speech or
3
impaired coordination
3 Changes in work performance
3 Unexplained financial problems
3 Mood swings and irritability
Sudden change in interests
3
or friends
3 Unusual hyperactivity or lethargy

Start the
Conversation

If you think a loved one is misusing drugs
or alcohol, it's time to have a chat. Go in
with an open mind and a supportive spirit.
"That can be challenging, because it's
very natural for loved ones to be angry
or frustrated, making it easy to respond
with anger and demands," Saxon says.
"But you really need to try and broach
the topic in a loving, caring, nonconfrontational way."
Saxon recommends starting simply
by acknowledging a change in behavior and asking if everything is OK. Try
something like: "Hey, I've noticed you've
stopped playing racquetball with Dave,
and you just don't seem like yourself.
What's going on?"
If your loved one doesn't open up immediately, don't push. Revisit the conversation
another time. It may take several tries.

Go to
a Meeting

Attend a support group for families of
people dealing with drug and alcohol
addiction, whether in person or online.
Find one through Al-Anon (al-anon.org),
Nar-Anon (nar-anon.org) or Families
Anonymous (familiesanonymous.org).

Stopping
Addiction
Before
It Starts
Community Healthcare System
hospitals have focused their
efforts on addressing pain
management early, to ward off
addiction before it can take hold.
Patients are referred to pain specialists at the onset of their pain
for evaluation.
"We are seeing many patients
prior to surgery," says Shariq
Ibrahim, MD, a Community Care
Network pain management physician. "For most patients, the
earlier we can provide treatment,
the better the results."
Ibrahim stresses the importance of targeting the actual
cause of the pain instead of generalized treatments.
"There can be overlap in the
body's pain interpretation, so as
a result, where one feels the pain
may not be the actual source,"
he says. "By treating the incorrect source instead of the underlying cause, you may end up with
unnecessary treatments and
poor outcomes."

WEBSITE

Find Relief
For information on solutions
for pain management at
Community Hospital,
St. Catherine Hospital and
St. Mary Medical Center,
visit COMHS.org/services/
pain-management.

"That would be one free and
readily available way to get advice
and to hear what other people have
done," Saxon says.

Talk to a
Professional

Saxon suggests making an appointment with a behavioral health provider, psychiatrist or psychologist to
discuss your loved one's behavior.
"They may say, 'Hey, that does
sound like an issue. Let's see if we
can get your family member to come
in [for a visit],' " he says.
If that doesn't work, at least
you'll have a professional to talk to
about the effect your loved one's
addiction is having on you.

Be Available, but
Protect Yourself

If repeated attempts fail to get
your loved one to admit there's a
problem, Saxon suggests focusing
on caring for yourself by seeking
support, distancing yourself if you
feel unsafe and never getting in the
car with someone who is under the
influence. Dealing with a loved one's
substance abuse is not only worrisome and stressful, but it also can
be dangerous. Some people become
aggressive and even violent when
under the influence.
"It might involve making
changes in the relationship, including temporary marital separation,"
Saxon says. But that doesn't mean
you can't still offer support.
"Continue with repeated
supportive messages," he says.
"Say, 'I love you, and I care about
you. If you're willing, I will assist
you in finding help.' " ■

WINTE R 2019

http://www.COMHS.org/services/pain-management http://www.al-anon.org http://www.COMHS.org/services/pain-management http://www.nar-anon.org http://www.familiesanonymous.org

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2019 - CH

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