If someone you love is using drugs, the urge to “just get them off it” can be overwhelming. Families often try everything: pleading, bargaining, hiding money, locking doors, searching rooms. Most of it ends in exhaustion and more secrecy. The good news is that there are approaches that do work, and they are very different from force.

This guide explains what you can and cannot do, how to take the first steps safely, why stopping suddenly at home can be dangerous, what treatment involves, and how to support the person after they stop. We use “someone off drugs” in the title because it is how many people search, and “a person with a drug addiction” in the text. This is general information, not medical advice.

In short

You can’t make an adult stop, but you can raise the chance they accept help through calm conversations, firm boundaries and a clear treatment option.

Stopping suddenly at home can be dangerous. Withdrawal from some substances can cause seizures or other serious problems, so detox should be medically supervised.

Detox is only the first step. Therapy, family support and aftercare are what help people stay off drugs.

After a period of not using, the body loses tolerance, so returning to the same dose can cause overdose. Call 112 in an emergency.

Avoid force, confinement, ultimatums and unregulated “quick cure” centres.

Can you get someone off drugs?

Honestly, not on your own and not by force. Addiction changes the brain’s reward, stress and self-control systems, which is why people keep using despite harm and genuine wishes to stop. Drug addiction is a treatable medical condition, and recovery is common, but it usually depends on the person eventually taking part in treatment.

What you can do is shape the environment around them: reduce enabling, communicate with care, make treatment easy to accept, and be consistent. Research on family-based approaches such as Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) suggests families that learn these skills are more likely to get a reluctant person into treatment than families that rely on confrontation or waiting for a crisis.

Steps to help someone stop using drugs

Find out what they are using. Different substances carry different risks, withdrawal patterns and treatments. Mixed use, such as alcohol with sedatives, raises the risk further.
Get your own support first. Speak to a counsellor or doctor so you go into the conversation steady, not in panic.
Choose a calm moment to talk. Pick a private time when they are not intoxicated or in withdrawal. Describe specific things you’ve noticed and say you want to help. Our guide on how to talk to a parent or spouse about getting help has wording you can adapt.
Offer a concrete next step. “Will you see a doctor with me this week?” works better than “You need to stop.” Have an assessment or treatment centre in mind.
Arrange a medical assessment. A doctor can judge the severity, check for health problems and decide whether detox needs to be supervised.
Plan detox safely. Don’t encourage stopping suddenly at home. See the section below on withdrawal.
Move into treatment, not just detox. Choose the level of care that fits their needs, from outpatient counselling to residential rehab.
Plan aftercare before treatment ends. Follow-up therapy, family sessions, routines and a relapse plan carry recovery into daily life.

What helps and what doesn’t

What helps	What doesn’t
“I’m worried about you, and I’ll help you find support.”	“You’re ruining the family. Stop now or leave.”
Listening, asking questions and staying calm	Shouting, shaming, labelling (“junkie”, “useless”)
Offering to go with them to an assessment	Locking them in a room or forcing detox at home
Paying essential bills directly	Giving cash, covering debts or buying drugs “to keep them safe”
Rewarding honesty and small steps	Threats or ultimatums you won’t keep
Choosing a registered, professional centre	Trusting miracle cures, unlicensed centres or places that use force

Why you shouldn’t simply “stop it at home”

Withdrawal is the body’s reaction when a substance it has adapted to is removed. Its risks depend on the substance, the amount, the length of use and the person’s health. This is general information and not a guide to home detox.

Substance type	Why stopping suddenly matters
Alcohol and sedatives (including benzodiazepines)	Withdrawal can cause seizures, confusion and other life-threatening complications. Medical supervision is important.
Opioids (heroin or “brown sugar”, opioid painkillers and similar)	Withdrawal is intensely uncomfortable, and the risk of relapse is high. After a break, tolerance falls, so a return to the old dose can cause fatal overdose.
Stimulants and cannabis	Withdrawal is less often physically dangerous, but can bring severe low mood, anxiety, agitation, sleep problems and thoughts of self-harm.
Mixed or unknown substances	Risks are harder to predict, which is another reason for a medical assessment

A doctor-supervised detoxification manages symptoms, monitors safety and can use medicines where appropriate. For some substances, doctors may also prescribe medicines that reduce cravings or help prevent relapse. These must always be prescribed and monitored by a doctor.

Treatment options

The right level of care depends on the substance, how heavily and how long it has been used, other health conditions, safety and the home environment.

Option	Best suited to
Medical detox	People who need supervision while substances leave the body, especially where withdrawal may be dangerous
Residential (inpatient) rehab	Moderate to severe addiction, an unsafe or unsupportive home, or repeated relapse
Intensive outpatient programme (IOP)	People with stable housing and support who can attend structured sessions
Outpatient counselling	Milder problems, or ongoing support after intensive treatment
Family therapy and support	Repairing trust and teaching the household how to support recovery without enabling

Our comparison of inpatient, outpatient and IOP care can help you decide, what happens in the first week of residential rehab explains what to expect, and cost of treatment covers fees. Therapies such as those in our schools of therapy help people understand triggers, manage cravings and rebuild their lives. How long treatment takes varies, as explained in duration of treatment.

How to build motivation

Many people are ambivalent: part of them wants to stop, and part doesn’t. Pushing harder often strengthens the “don’t” side. More helpful approaches include:

Motivational interviewing. A respectful, questioning style that helps people voice their own reasons for change.
Linking change to their values. Ask what matters to them, such as their children, health, work or freedom, and how drugs affect it.
Letting consequences land. Stop rescuing from debts, missed work or legal trouble, while offering help to get treatment.
Catching the right moment. Health scares, arguments, accidents or a family milestone can make people more open. Be ready with a clear next step.
Staying connected. People are more likely to accept help from someone who has kept a caring relationship.

What if they refuse?

This is very common. You cannot make an adult enter treatment, but you can keep the door open:

Repeat your concern calmly and choose your moments
Keep boundaries consistent, such as no use or dealing at home and no cash
Reward honesty and any step towards change
Speak to a professional about how to approach someone who is resistant
Build your own support, so your life doesn’t revolve around their use

Be careful with surprise confrontations or “interventions” run without professional guidance, because they can backfire. For more on living with active addiction, see our guide on how to deal with a drug addicted family member.

Practical tips for India

Choose a registered, professional centre. Unregulated “de-addiction” centres, forced confinement, physical punishment and miracle cures are a real risk. Check that the centre is registered, staffed by qualified doctors and therapists, and respects the person’s rights and consent, as set out in the Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
Stigma and “log kya kahenge.” Fear of gossip delays help for many families. Choose confidential services and decide who needs to know.
Fear of the police. India’s Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (1985) includes a provision, Section 64A, that can give immunity from prosecution to people addicted to drugs who hold small quantities and voluntarily seek treatment. Laws and their application can change, so please take legal advice.
Joint family. Agree on one consistent message so the person doesn’t hear conflicting signals or get money from different relatives.
Young adults. College hostels, peer groups and easy access to tablets, cough syrups or cannabis can hide early use. Stay curious instead of punitive.

Supporting them after they stop

Stopping is the beginning, not the end. The months after treatment are often the most fragile.

Keep follow-up appointments, therapy and any prescribed medicines
Remove or avoid triggers, such as old contacts, certain places and drugs in the home
Build routines: sleep, meals, movement, work or study
Join family sessions and learn the warning signs of relapse
Respond to a slip with calm and a plan, not collapse

Our guide on how to support an addict in recovery explains this stage, and our relapse prevention program and article on relapse after rehab explain how to plan for it.

Special situations

Depression, anxiety or trauma. Drug use often occurs alongside other mental health conditions. Both need treatment, as explained in our guide to dual diagnosis.

Prescription medicines. Painkillers, sedatives and sleeping tablets can become addictive after legitimate use. Don’t stop them suddenly without medical advice.

More than one substance. Mixing drugs and alcohol raises the risk of overdose and complicated withdrawal, so a medical assessment matters even more.

A teenager. Stay calm, avoid public shaming, involve a professional and keep communication open.

When helping starts to harm

Caring can slip into rescuing or controlling. Be alert if you find yourself:

Repeatedly paying debts or making excuses to employers and relatives
Searching, monitoring or confronting them constantly
Trying to force detox at home or confine them
Neglecting your own health, work, sleep or other relationships
Believing you are responsible for whether they use

You can care deeply and still step back from rescuing. A counsellor can help you find the balance.

Look after yourself too

Talk to a counsellor or a trusted friend
Consider family support groups such as Nar-Anon or Al-Anon
Keep your own routines, sleep, movement and interests
Practise calming habits. See mindfulness for wellbeing and addiction recovery
Give yourself permission to take breaks

When to get urgent help

Call 112 or go to the nearest hospital if the person:

Is very hard to wake, unresponsive, or breathing slowly or not at all
Has blue or grey lips or fingertips, or is choking
Has a seizure, severe confusion or hallucinations during withdrawal
Has taken a large amount, or mixed substances, and seems unwell
Talks about ending their life or hurting themselves

Stay with them. If they are unconscious but breathing, lay them on their side. In India, Tele-MANAS (14416) is a free national helpline for mental health support.

How Thamarai can help

At Thamarai Healing Center in Pollachi, treatment is confidential, non-judgemental and personalised. Care includes a comprehensive assessment, supervised detoxification where needed, evidence-based therapies, support for co-occurring conditions, family involvement and structured aftercare through our relapse prevention program. You can also read about The Thamarai Difference.

If you are worried about someone, a confidential conversation is a good place to start. Speak to our team confidentially →

Frequently asked questions

How do you get someone off drugs?
You can’t force an adult to stop, but you can encourage treatment: talk calmly, set boundaries, avoid enabling, arrange a medical assessment and supervised detox, and support therapy and aftercare.

Can someone stop using drugs on their own?
Some people do, but many struggle because of cravings, withdrawal and triggers. Professional treatment and family support make lasting recovery more likely, and stopping some substances suddenly can be dangerous.

Is it dangerous to stop drugs suddenly?
It can be. Withdrawal from alcohol and sedatives such as benzodiazepines can cause seizures. After a break from opioids, tolerance drops, so relapse can lead to overdose. A doctor should assess and supervise detox.

Can I force a family member into rehab?
Generally no. Treatment works best with some willingness, though motivation often grows during care. Seek professional guidance on approaching someone who is resistant, and avoid centres that use force or confinement.

How long does it take to get off drugs?
Detox usually takes days to a few weeks, depending on the substance. Recovery continues for months or years through therapy, aftercare and healthy routines.

What should I do if they relapse?
Stay calm, keep them safe, and encourage them to contact their treatment team quickly. Relapse is common in chronic conditions and does not mean treatment failed.

What if they don’t want help?
Keep your boundaries, repeat your concern calmly, stop enabling and look after your own wellbeing. Many people accept help after a crisis or after hearing the same caring message several times.

Is treatment at Thamarai confidential?
Yes. Enquiries, assessments and treatment are handled confidentially, and you can call to ask questions without committing to anything.

This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for professional medical or legal advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Sources

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide. 3rd ed. 2012.
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5-TR). 2022.
Smith JE, Meyers RJ. Motivating Substance Abusers to Enter Treatment: Working with Family Members. Guilford Press, 2004.
Miller WR, Rollnick S. Motivational Interviewing: Helping People Change. 3rd ed. Guilford Press, 2013.
Government of India. Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, Section 64A; Mental Healthcare Act, 2017.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. Tele-MANAS (14416).

How to Get Someone Off Drugs: Safe Steps, Treatment and What to Avoid