How to Help a Friend with Heroin Addiction

woman helps friend with heroin addiction

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We have seen articles about the rise of opioid use in the United States and by the rule of numbers this means that it is likely that someone you know or love is struggling with opioid addiction. But what do we do when we observe addiction behaviors in our families, or among our friends? Addiction is a deeply individualized process, and if we push too hard, it can often exact the opposite effect we intended. We might lose touch with valued relations in our efforts to improve their situation. When a loved one is addicted to a drug, they have lost control of that use and may not know how to stop. When the drug they are abusing is heroin, then choosing not to intervene could mean a death sentence for your loved one. However, you can help your loved one seek heroin addiction treatment that is individualized to their needs with Clearhaven Recovery.

Heroin Addiction Relief Treatment

Addiction to a substance means that an individual has lost the discernment to regulate their use of the substance. This can affect their actions, their choices, and their relationships. While drug abuse is a deliberate choice by the individual, certain types of drug abuse can lead to addiction very quickly. Because drugs affect the mind, and the body, addiction may require a detoxification process. Heroin addiction relief programs can help an individual with physical symptoms of detox, as well as emotional dependency.

Addiction to heroin can overtake an individual extremely rapidly. Heroin is an illegal, unregulated opioid that is highly addictive, and difficult to determine the potency of during use. Heroin addiction can impact anyone. Regardless of a person’s socioeconomic background, age, or personal history with drug-use, any individual can develop a drug dependency. It’s possible to begin to develop a dependency on opioid pain relievers such as Oxycodone after a single use. Because of this, many people begin using heroin after prescription pain medication has been discontinued by their medical professional.

Helping Your Loved One with Heroin Addiction

The first step to recovery is identifying the problem. But if the problem is not yours, how can you help a loved one to recognize the need for treatment? These are some of the symptoms of addictive behavior to look for.

  • When an individual is anxious, angry, depressed, or experiencing extreme mood swings
  • When an individual loses interest in activities that formerly brought pleasure, such as hobbies, travel, schoolwork, or a chosen occupation.
  • When an individual withdraws from social relationships or from friends and family or socializes with others who use the drug.
  • When an individual is preoccupied with obtaining drugs (sometimes even selling their things, or stealing.)
  • When an individual experiences weight loss or gain, or sleep problems

Noticing the signs of addiction will help you in understanding the depth of your loved one’s struggle. When communicating with your loved one, remember that their dependency is not a result of your choices, or behavior. Take accountability for your feelings, even if your loved one has hurt you with past actions. Lecturing your loved one about the mistakes they may have made will not help bring about positive change. Other ways to help your loved one include:

  • Taking the steps to learn about your loved one’s struggle can be a powerful tool in bringing their addiction to light.
  • Meet in a neutral, sober environment that discourages drug use.
  • Discuss the effect of drug abuse on the individual’s family, children, career, or home life.
  • Encourage them to seek assistance for mental health or legal issues that may be exacerbating their drug use.
  • Offer solutions for heroin addiction relief, such as treatment options like Narcotics Anonymous or the programs offered through Clearhaven.
  • Do not enable your loved one’s drug use financially or emotionally. Their rent, court fines, or next meal are not your responsibility.

It is important to remember that heroin addiction relief is the responsibility of the individual experiencing the addiction. Take care of your needs above theirs as you cannot offer productive support if you are stressed about keeping their life together. Change is possible with treatment, but you cannot force your loved one to recognize the need for treatment and attempting to do so will only cause resentment in your relationship.

Clearhaven Recovery for Heroin Addiction Treatment

Help your loved one take back control of their life by encouraging them to seek heroin addiction relief with Clearhaven Recovery. Facing drug detox can be a daunting process but our recovery center offers high-quality, flexible treatment options to help program participants heal. We understand that every individual struggling with addiction has unique needs for recovery and will work with you to create a customized treatment plan. Reach out to our team today to learn more about making a referral to our heroin addiction treatment program. We have designed our admissions process to be as simple as possible to help those who are struggling to get the help they need. Connect with us at 833.970.2054 or reach out online to begin your journey to recovery today!

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Reviewed By:

Clearhaven Recovery Clinical Staff

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