The opioid crisis has taken its toll on many Pennsylvania families and others across the country. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 18 out of 100 Americans have used illicit drugs or misused prescription medications. An average of 115 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. On average, 13 Pennsylvanians die daily from drug-related overdoses.
No age, socioeconomic status, or racial background can predict who may develop a dependency for opioids and other drugs. But there are signs to look for when you think a friend or loved one may have a substance abuse problem.
Your loved one may slowly change as their reliance on opioids increases over time. They may be unable to manage their responsibilities at work, school, or home. Their drug use continues even when it has negatively affected personal relationships, or has put them—or others—in danger. Some people even express a desire to stop but can’t.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) provides a list of questions that can help determine whether a friend or loved one has a substance abuse problem. You can include the person you are worried about in the discussion if they are willing.
NIDA also offers guidance about how to help someone struggling with substance abuse. Suggestions are provided in a question and answer format, so you can identify the helpful actions you can consider taking based on the specific situation. Here are summaries of a few key questions and answers.
How do I get started helping someone who might have a problem?
Support your friend or loved one in getting an evaluation, and help them to locate an appropriate doctor or health professional. The American Society of Addiction Medicine has a Find a Physician feature on its home page. The American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry also has a Patient Referral Program.
If the person is resistant, see if you can convince them to at least get an evaluation.
Acknowledge the courage it takes to seek help. A lot of hard work lies ahead. Offer reassurance that research and science show treatment works, and people recover every day. Like other chronic diseases, addiction can be managed successfully.
Assure your friend of loved one that you’ll be there for them.
How can I support someone once they enter treatment?
Different patients need different levels of support. You can ask the treatment provider about how best to help.
Re-enforce that you admire the courage it takes to tackle this medical problem through treatment. Offer as much love and support you can as long as your friend or loved one continues to follow the treatment plan.
Recognize that your loved one may face many triggers that could promote a relapse. You can try asking about the triggers and encouraging your friend or loved one to avoid them.
Encourage additional treatment if a relapse does happen.
Keep in mind, though, that people addicted to opioids and other drugs have to fight much of this struggle on their own, using the knowledge and skills learned in treatment.
Where can I find more information on treatment and recovery?
NIDA provides answers to many questions about treatment and recovery, including:
- What to say to someone who is afraid of what others will say if they enter treatment
- Whether interventions are a good idea (NIDA says incentives to get someone to a doctor are better than interventions, which can even be harmful)
- What to look for in a treatment center
- A description of what treatment is like, and who will provide it
- How to find an affordable treatment center