Drug addiction is one of the hardest things in the world to overcome. Millions and millions of dollars every single day is poured into outreach programs and research on how to help people combat this terrible disease of addiction. If someone you know and love is dealing with drug addiction it’s quite possible that you are having to deal with it too. This is not just their problem. This problem affects everyone.

So the question is how do you handle it? It’s not easy to practice tough love, but it’s also not easy to practice a nurturing behavior as you watch someone you care about destroy their lives. Making some simple rules for yourself can help you deal with the addict in your life.

The first thing you have to do is set ground rules, not only for yourself but for the addict themselves. The number one rule is not to enable. This makes you just as guilty as they are. So when an addict asks for money you must tell them no. It doesn’t matter what they tell you or how little they may be asking for. You must assume they are spending that money on drugs and firmly tell them you will not be giving them any money. If they claim they need money for a flat tire, explain to them you would be happy to help them by paying the tire shop in person or over the phone but there will be no transferring of money between the addict.

If an addict wants to enter your home you must make the simple rule that the addict cannot be clearly on drugs and cannot bring drugs into your home. You should feel very right in asking them to empty their pockets, backpack, or purse if you have to. Having drugs in your home is not only unacceptable to you but is something you could get in real trouble for.
Understand these rules may be met with some resistance by the addict. This may even strain your relationship, but you do not want to be an enabler to them.