When someone in a household needs help for addiction, the person picking up the phone is usually a woman. That was the message at an event on September 18 in Dallas. Representatives joined panel discussions focused on women’s wellness, leadership and community support.
Women as the First Point of Contact
Women account for more than 70% of people who contact the organization seeking information about treatment for a family member or loved one. Those inquiries typically come from wives, mothers, grandmothers and other loved ones doing the searching.
“Women are often the ones advocating for loved ones who are struggling with addiction. They’re researching options, making calls and initiating difficult conversations,” noted Jessica Paek. She’s the international spokesperson for Narconon, which hosted the event.
That pattern matters for families in Dallas and throughout Texas. The one who spots the problem early, tracks down options and schedules the first call usually isn’t the person using drugs. Rather, she’s the one worrying at 2 a.m.
Raising Awareness & Reducing Stigma
At the event, Paek spoke on a wellness panel about her own experience with substance use and recovery. She described the normalization of alcohol and substance use and the stigma that discourages people from seeking treatment.
Narconon representatives also participated in the organization’s “Influencing for Good” initiative to connect with attendees and influencers to discuss addiction, recovery and the role family members can play in encouraging someone to get help.
Narconon is an international network of residential rehabilitation centers founded in 1976. They feature holistic, drug-free approaches like art therapy to recovery based on the works of L. Ron Hubbard. Its representatives in Dallas included Paek, Narconon graduate Christina Woodruff, who was involved in establishing a new Narconon Texas location and staff from Narconon Arrowhead.
Signs of Addiction
At times, it can seem like an uphill battle. For one thing, Texas has a shortage of addiction treatment providers. Still, it’s good to know the common signs of addiction in a loved one. Watch for changes in sleep and appetite, withdrawal from family activities, mood swings, missed work or school and continuing to use despite consequences.
Starting that conversation is hard, and timing matters more than perfect wording. Choosing a calm moment, describing specific observations rather than accusations, and having concrete options ready all raise the odds the talk leads somewhere.
Help a Loved One in Dallas & Beyond
The next step after the conversation is knowing what exists locally. Dallas has a wide range of options from outpatient counseling and medication-assisted treatment to residential drug rehabs. Families comparing programs should ask whether the program treats co-occurring mental health conditions and what follows after discharge.
Always compare levels of care. Doing so can be made easier with our browsable directory. You can look up addiction treatment centers anywhere in the country.
Folks can also chat with an expert for guidance by calling
800-681-1058
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