How to Help an Opiate Addict

It seems that more and more often you are hearing about overdoses and deaths related to opiate abuse. This is especially worrisome if you know and care about an opiate addict. Fortunately, there are ways you can help them.

Recognize that they Have a Disease

There is something you need to understand first, before trying to help an opiate abuser, no one chooses to be an addict. Opiate addiction is not caused by a lack of willpower or morals. Nor is it caused by character flaws in the person suffering from it.

Opiate addiction is a chronic disease. Like any chronic disease, addiction requires professional treatment and may be something the sufferer deals with for the rest of their lives.

Learn the Treatment Options

Once you understand that opiate addiction is a disease that requires treatment, you need to learn what treatment options are available to help the addict. There are numerous approaches to treating this disease, including:

Timing is important when you approach an opiate addict.

Medications such as:
- Methadone
- Buprenorphine
- Naltrexone
- Suboxone
Behavioral therapies
Counseling

All of these approaches may be used in treating opiate addiction. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, medication assisted therapy, a combination of these techniques, is most successful in treating this disease.

Approach them about their Addiction and Addiction Treatment

Once you understand the treatment options available, it is time to talk to the addict in question. It is important that when doing so, you follow a few simple guidelines. These include:

Not talking to them about it if they are high
Remaining calm and keeping your temper in check
Telling them how much you are worried about their addiction
Remaining open-minded and supportive
Presenting their treatment options in a clear and concise manner

Following these guidelines in a discussion about their opiate addiction and their treatment options makes them far more likely to accept your help and get the treatment they need.

Helping an Opiate Dependent Loved One

Listen to Them

The most important part of any conversation is listening to the other person. This is even more imperative in a conversation about something as vitally important as helping someone overcome their opiate addiction through treatment. You must listen in order to understand their concerns and be sure they get the right treatment.

Stage an Intervention if you Have to

You should only stage an intervention as a last resort. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, pressure from family and friends can sometimes prompt addicts into recovery, but there is a serious risk of it backfiring. This would keep the addict you care about from getting the treatment they need.

Find a Treatment Center that Works for Them

Every person and every addiction is different. As such, anyone that is seeking treatment for an opiate addiction needs to find a treatment center that can meet their specific needs. For help finding the best treatment center during this difficult time, call us at 888-959-0638. Our dedicated specialists are standing by to assist you in your time of need.