Dealing With Suspicions Of Drug Use
120 views · Published 28 September 2016 · 3:26 · Indexed 24 October 2026
Channel: Life The Basic Manual · 2016 · Education
In this clip, Sian looks at that limbo period when you are dealing with suspicions of drug use by a loved one, but you don’t have any firm evidence. One of the most undermining phases that many ‘concerned others’ report back on is this time when you feel intuitively that something is wrong with your loved one, and signs and symptoms may be mounting up that this is so, but they deny or dismiss your fears. She refers back to the previous clip in this playlist - if you’ve put your own oxygen mask on first, and you've got a support network in place, you will be in a much better position to deal with this phase. Having someone outside the situation to talk to, and to help you put your thoughts in context, is invaluable. After all - your fears may be unfounded, or your loved one may vehemently reject your analysis of their situation. A common response to this ambiguous situation on the part of the concerned other may be to search the belongings of the person they’re worried about, check their phone, or follow them to see what they’re actually doing. While this may provide the concrete proof you want, it may also increase the lengths to which the dependent person may go to hide their use of drugs or alcohol. As the fears evoked by the potential loss of, or harm to, someone we love are so visceral, Sian suggests that at this point, you emotionally and mentally take a step back from the situation, rather than trying to reach into it and alter the outcome that you dread. Having a little more metaphorical space between you and the situation will help you to rationally evaluate it, and some of the signs and symptoms she discusses in this next clip - 'Signs and Symptoms of Addiction'.
