Helping someone who is addicted to opioids might sometimes seem overwhelming, but luckily, with knowledge and the right resources, combined with professional assistance, it is possible for you to get a loved one the help that they require.

 

Become involving in the process for treatment planning and then support a person through recovery are two of the best things which family members can do for their loved ones.

 

The following suggestions, from Caron Treatment Program Review, can act as a guide for family members as they help a loved one who is addicted to opioids

 

Know the signs of opioid abuse

Knowing the signs of opioid abuse can help a loved one stop a problem so that treatment can be looked for.

 

When a person abuses opioids, their behavior changes as they spend more time looking for and using their drug of choice.  When this occurs, their quality of life suffers greatly.

 

The following are signs and symptoms of opioid abuse:

 

• Using opioids more frequently or in large amounts than they planned
• Is not able to decrease the amount of opioids they use, even after they have tried to several times
• Loses much of the day to using opioids or feeling sick when they opioids have worn off
• Has strong cravings to find and use more opioids
• Has developed problems at home work or school because of using opioids
• Continues to use opioids despite it harming their relationships
• Loses interest in hobbies or responsibilities that were previously important to them
• Engages in risky behaviors which jeopardize their safety when they are under the influence of opioids
• Keeps taking opioids even after they are causing physical and mental health problems
• Develops a tolerance and requires a higher dose so that they can experience the feelings they want
• Goes into withdrawal after stopping using opioids

 

When someone has milk opioid use disorder, they might only show a couple of these signs, however people who are very addicted might have many of them.

 

Identify when you are enabling

Despite the best of intentions, some people unknowingly enable their loved one.  Doing this can be harmful in both the person who is addicted and the people who care about them.

 

When a person enables someone, they commonly do the things which the addicted person should be doing by themselves.  This includes taking on the addicted person’s responsibilities in the home.  Giving someone money, which can be spent on opioids is a common type of enabling.

 

Enabling behaviors stop someone who is addicted to opioids from experiencing the consequences of their addiction.  People who often enable make excuses for the addicted person, like covering up for them when they are high or sick from taking opioids.

 

Understanding the differences between helping and enabling helps loved ones give their addicted family member the best support.

 

Setting clear, healthy boundaries and rooting out enabling behaviors might help the person addicted to opioids to see the severity of their addiction.  This might in turn help them understand that they need treatment.

 

Stage an intervention for opioid addiction

Chronic opioid abuse can change the manner in which a person thinks.  This can make it very challenging for a person to acknowledge that they need help.

 

An intervention led by an interventionist can be a great resource at these times.  While some friends and families can be tempted to plan interventions by themselves, professionally led interventions tend to be more successful.

 

In addition to assisting families in planning and carrying out the intervention, good interventionists can educate families on addiction.  They can help families to find treatment options and make arrangements for transportation.  Some even go with you to rehab.

 

Opioid detox programs

Inpatient detox programs for opioid addiction tend to be the better option for people who are moderately or severely addicted to opioids.

 

These programs offer around the clock care and monitoring, meaning that the person is as safe and comfortable as possible.

 

Medications are vital for medically assisted detox.  They are used to help reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

 

A detox program though, is not usually treatment enough by itself.  For the greatest chance of sobriety, someone should go to treatment after they have detoxed.

 

Remember, if your loved one needs help, then assistance IS available.  

 

If the information in this article was helpful for you, you might find it useful to check out some of the clips of real people that have attended treatments centers that are available through Caron Treatment Program Review at https://reviews.caron.org/media/