Approaching someone about their drug use can be tricky; you must have a plan.
Discussing someone’s drug misuse does not come naturally to most people. It is an awkward and uncomfortable situation, as much as it is dire and vital to address. Even if it is someone you love, broaching this sensitive topic will undoubtedly feel challenging or even scary.
You may worry that bringing up the problem will make them push you away. Maybe you worry that your concern will hurt your relationship. It is possible you think you may be overstepping some boundaries to bring it up. Yet, illicit or even prescription opioid addiction can be a life-and-death situation. A conversation could be the turning point that encourages your loved one to get help.
If you are not sure what to do, this blog post covers several tips and ways to communicate about opioid misuse.
Understanding Addiction Before Approaching Someone
Before you discuss someone’s drug misuse patterns, it is important to understand the nature of addiction. Addiction, or substance use disorder, is a chronic brain disease. Although your friend or family member may have previously used substances recreationally, their use may now out of control. Addiction can be causing them to prioritize their drug of choice over everything else, including their well-being.
Supporting someone with an addiction is not always straightforward. It is understandable if you feel angry or resentful for their actions and past choices. However, your loved one is now sick and needs professional intervention. No amount of shaming and threatening them with consequences will help them overnight. They would benefit by enrolling in an evidence-based treatment program that will help them manage their condition and rebuild their life.
Five Best Ways to Communicate About Opioid Misuse
Talking about addiction with someone who struggles with misusing substances is not always the easiest thing to do. Still, there are ways to have compassionate conversations that lead your friend or family member towards the help they need.
The best ways to communicate about opioid misuse are:
- With Understanding
Remember, although your loved one’s addiction may be tearing your family or relationship apart, they did not choose this. Addiction is a serious disease that hijacks the brain. Take the time to learn more about opioid use disorder so you can better understand what they are experiencing.
- With Caution
Your loved one may not be ready to hear what you have to say. Many people deny they have an issue, get defensive or react angrily. So, approach the situation with caution, especially if you have reason to fear for your safety. Stay calm and respectful, and express your concerns. Even if your loved one does not admit to having an opioid addiction, this conversation may plant a seed.
- With Compassion
Often, people struggling with addiction think they will never recover. They may believe they are unworthy of help or experience low self-esteem, shame and self-hatred. Accusations and blame will only make your loved one feel worse. So, come to them with a sense of compassion and empathy. Convey your concerns in a loving, respectful way.
Remember, you are there to support your loved one. A considerable part of your conversation will involve listening and responding when appropriate with encouraging words, such as:
- I understand you.
- You are not alone.
- I love you and want to help.
- I will be here for you.
- With Support From Others
Opioid addiction impacts everyone close to the person struggling with the disease. Approaching your loved one can be stressful and draining, so it is important to enlist your own support. This could be other friends or family members. You can also go to support groups for families to find encouragement. These groups are a great source of solidarity and practical advice on how to help your loved one moving forward.
- With Common Sense
Try to have realistic expectations. Though you took this huge step to approach your loved one, you cannot expect them to overcome opioid addiction overnight. Recovery can be a long and challenging road, and your loved one will need support every step of the way.
By starting the conversation, you have made it far more likely that your loved one will take the next step. You can also broach the topic again after a little while to see how they respond.
Best Ways to Communicate About Opioid Misuse From Afar
Sometimes, we can only wish to help people from afar. We are not always in the same city or state as the person we care about who is struggling with addiction. Getting a hold of them can be difficult. Some days, they will answer your calls and texts; others, you can only wait and worry.
It is much more difficult to broach the topic of addiction from afar because it is very easy to hang up a phone. Still, do not give up on your attempts to discuss the topic. Consider preparing them for a more extensive conversation if you can take a trip to see them sometime soon.
It would help most if you could get other people in the area to be your eyes and ears while you are away. Talks of staging interventions often begin this way. Do not be afraid to enlist the help of a professional interventionist or substance use counselor. They are a fantastic resource for crisis intervention tips and information on addiction treatment options.
Help Your Loved One Find Opioid Addiction Treatment Options
If everything goes well during your conversation, your loved one may be ready to get help. So, before starting the conversation, assemble a list of ready and accessible treatment options.
Whether your loved one is addicted to prescription pills or illicit opioids like fentanyl, Health Care Resource Centers can help. We combine evidence-based medication-assisted treatment with addiction counseling and personalized care to help our patients fight back against opioid use disorder.
If you are planning to approach your loved one about their addiction, we invite you to reach out to us today. We can answer your questions and help you prepare for your loved one’s first steps toward recovery.
