How to Refer Someone to Rehab

Addiction can often be hard to see by the individual suffering themselves, which means that intervention and referral to rehabilitation is an important process to getting someone the help they need with compassion and understanding.

In this guide, we provide insights into how to approach the referral process effectively and with care, from noticing the early signs of addiction, to who you should speak to for support and how to stage an effective intervention during a difficult time for all those involved.

When’s the Right Time to Refer Someone to Rehab?

Sometimes, rehab can be seen as an extreme course of action due to the stigma associated with rehabilitation. However, rehabilitation isn’t effective for supposed ‘extreme cases’. Addiction can come in many forms and take over people’s lives, sometimes without it being properly acknowledged and addressed. Failing to acknowledge an addiction problem and ignoring the issue can prolong the physical and psychological impacts of long-term substance abuse and have devastating impacts on families.

The right time to consider referring a loved one to rehab is when addiction begins to take control and impact multiple areas of the individual’s life and their loved ones, including their partners, friends, and family members. Addiction can impact multiple aspects of someone’s life such as their health, relationships, work, or personal responsibilities.

Even if the person isn’t fully ready to admit they have a problem, opening a supportive dialogue through an organised intervention can be an effective first step. Early intervention can make a significant difference, as addressing addiction in its earlier stages can improve treatment outcomes and may prevent further physical and mental harm.

Recognising the Signs of Addiction for Referrals

Addiction can manifest in many ways, sometimes with the individual masking their issues or not being aware of their addiction. This means that it’s important for those close to them to recognise the signs of addiction early on and take action.

Addiction can affect people differently, often taking its toll physically, emotionally, and behaviourally. To see if a loved one is suffering from addiction, there are common signs to look out for that can indicate an issue and requirement for further action.

Physical Addiction Signs of Addiction

Addiction can cause physical changes in an individual that are sometimes easy to spot visually from their appearance, or by changes to their general physical health. Common physical addiction signs in people with a substance addiction include:

• Drastic weight loss
• Poor general hygiene ie. showering, cleaning teeth
• Fatigue or low energy levels
• Lack of sleep

There are also common physical withdrawal symptoms that users display when not actively using drugs including shaking, sweating, vomiting and loss of appetite.

Behavioural Signs of Addiction

Addiction can cause behavioural issues that affect how the user acts daily. This can include their general demeanour or attitude to their lifestyle, as well as behaviour that affects relationships with those around them. This can be spotted by signs such as:

• Secretive or private behaviour
• Dismissing responsibilities such as work or family
• Avoiding social events with family and friends
• Demanding money or loans

Psychological Signs of Addiction

Addiction can often be stigmatised by the individual, sometimes due to a feeling of embarrassment, shame or loneliness. This can cause the user to display psychological signs that can manifest through poor mental health:

• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Loneliness
• Irritableness
• Defensive

Referring Someone to Rehab: The Process

Referring someone to rehab can be a compassionate and life-changing step, but it involves careful preparation and an understanding of the referral process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help navigate this process effectively: 

Identify the Signs of Addiction

Before taking any action, it’s essential to determine if the person is struggling with addiction and may benefit from rehab. Assess if your loved one shows common physical, behavioural and psychological signs to see if your loved one requires further support and referral to rehab.

Research Rehab Options and Gather Information

There are local rehab centres around the UK that are accessible for patients to receive addiction treatments. Use online resources and rehab directories to find local, nearby rehab centres to you that your loved one may be of interest for your loved one.

Research treatment options that are available, with rehab centres offering a range of tailored treatment options that may be preferred by your loved one. This is important to ensure that their admission into rehab is effective and they truly benefit from their treatments.

At Rehab Directory, we help you find local rehab centres and can provide additional information about the types of treatments available for your loved one.

Stage an Intervention

Set up a compassionate, judgement-free intervention to speak to your loved one, alone or with close relatives and friends. Plan and create constructive discourse to speak to your loved one about your concerns with their addiction and provide solutions, including your research on local rehab centres and treatments.

Rehab Referral

Organise a rehab referral for your loved one, where they can embark on their recovery journey with your full love and support. You will be provided with an admission date, where you can arrange to meet at the destination or organise transport for your loved one to visit the facility for their programme.

Offer Ongoing Support and Aftercare

During your loved one’s time at rehab, it’s important to offer your ongoing support during the programme and after it. Communicate regularly with them, be open to speaking about their feelings and reinforce that they are not alone during this difficult time for them. This will reduce their chances of relapsing and encourage them to continue with abstinence from substance abuse.

Preparing for Staging an Intervention Before Referral

An intervention involves a judgement-free space for loved ones to have a constructive conversation with the person affected by addiction, to receive further support through referral to rehabilitation. Before staging an intervention, it’s important to prepare so that you are ready to speak about your experiences and have the right information from professionals specialising in addiction and rehabilitation.

Speak to Professionals on Treatment Options

Speak to professionals for additional support for your loved one and ask questions. Professionals specialising in addiction will be able to answer any questions regarding your loved one’s substance abuse and provide information about local rehab centres, NHS services, and community support groups.

At Rehab Directory, our advisors and support team are available to help you during this difficult time and provide you with information about local rehab centres in your area for admission.

Prepare Constructive and Compassionate Discourse

It’s important to prepare what you’re going to say to your loved one and how you are going to say it to avoid confrontation. Someone suffering from addiction can become defensive or refuse professional help, which means it’s vital to prepare and structure your intervention.

You should be compassionate in how you express your concerns, emphasising your concern for their wellbeing and ongoing love and support. Try to avoid being accusative or becoming emotional as this can cause friction and muddy your message of concern.

Anticipate Negative Reactions

You know your loved one more than anyone else, so you are likely to be aware of how they might anticipate the intervention. It’s important to anticipate negative responses and provide reassurance and calmness to ensure that they understand your concern from a place of care and support, not perceived maliciousness.