Opioid addiction has various impacts on a person’s life. From finances, health, and relationships to work and career, these effects are far-reaching. Opioids are one of the most common types of substance abuse today. An addiction to opioids can involve substances from prescription painkillers to heroin to fentanyl. Any kind of addiction is serious and in need of professional intervention. While you cannot solve your loved one’s addiction on your own, you can play a role in getting them help with opiate addiction. Learn more about opiate addiction treatment in California by calling 877.296.7477. Located in downtown Laguna Beach, we are only two blocks from the calming blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.
How to Help Someone With Opiate Addiction
Seeing someone you love struggle with an opiate addiction is difficult. It may also be negatively impacting your life. For your loved one’s health and your sanity, something needs to change. But it is easy to feel lost when figuring out how to help with opiate addiction. After all, most people are not trained counselors, healthcare professionals, or addiction treatment specialists. So what can you do? A lot, actually. Here are four practical things you can do to support a loved one who is struggling with opioid addiction.
Voice Your Concerns
Chances are your loved one knows that a problem exists. They probably feel like their behavior is out of control. They may feel lost. Start by voicing your concerns but do not use blaming language. Be a listener and allow them to talk and be open about what their struggle is like.
Be Compassionate
Your loved one is not using opioids to hurt themselves or you. That may be the real consequence. Yet remember that their substance abuse may be rooted in trauma or some other reason that has led them to self-medicate. Leading with judgment will get you nowhere and only isolate your loved one. When you talk with your loved one, be compassionate and empathetic. You do not have to make excuses for their behavior or pretend it’s not a problem. But they do need someone who will listen and not be quick to judge or condemn.
Offer Help Finding Treatment
If you want to know how to help someone with opiate addiction, the best thing you can do for your loved one is connect them to professional help. Formal treatment through a trustworthy provider like Oceanfront Recovery is the best option for turning your loved one’s life around. You can act as the conduit that connects your loved one to a high-quality treatment option in your area. You can also offer to go to their initial appointments with them to reduce their fear and anxiety.
Take Care of Yourself
Compassion fatigue and caregiver burden are real things that happen to people when they try to support someone struggling with addiction. If you burn out, it hurts you and your loved one. Sometimes, the best way to support someone is to take care of yourself. This especially includes physical health. Do not neglect your physical health or feel like you need to become a martyr on your loved one’s behalf.
Find Help With Opiate Addiction
Opiate addiction treatment tends to involve some combination of therapy and medication. Three of the most common therapies used in opioid addiction treatment are:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Contingency management
One or more of these therapies is then paired with medication, particularly during withdrawal. Multiple medications are approved for opioid withdrawal, which is the period of time when someone’s body is adjusting to life without opioids. For many people, the withdrawal period is uncomfortable and marked by nasty side effects. Hence, opioid withdrawal medications alleviate these symptoms and help people build a solid foundation in recovery.
Discover Help With Opiate Addiction at Oceanfront Recovery
Every day, opiate addiction treatment helps people recover and chart new lives that are free from addiction. Healing is possible for your loved one. Their healing journey can start today at Oceanfront Recovery. Learn more about getting help with opiate addiction by connecting with us today at 877.296.7477.