Community Partners -Family & Friends
Watching someone you love struggle with opioid use disorder is difficult. Supporting their treatment and recovery is a huge help in overcoming opioid use disorder.
Here are some tips to help if your loved one is misusing opioids:
Learn about Opioid Use Disorder
The best way to help is to understand what they are going through. Go to our Prevention and Education to learn more about opioids and click here to learn about opioid use disorder.
How to Recognize and Respond to an Opioid Overdose
Talk with them
Tell them you care and show support. It’s not easy to talk about addiction, but it’s important. Approach the situation with love – you probably feel angry and disappointed with their choices, but they most likely already feel the same way with themselves. Tell them you want to support their treatment and recovery, and encourage them to seek treatment at a time when they are receptive.
Addiction Neuroscience 101
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Help find treatment
Go to our treatment services page or to the Santa Clara County Substance Use Treatment Services for more information on finding treatment in the area. Work to find the best treatment for them.
Make sure to care for yourself
It’s easy to forget about self-care when you’re supporting someone with an addiction. Make sure you have a support system and look into seeing a counselor or joining a family support group.
Resources:
SAMHSA Opioid Overdose Prevention TOOLKIT
Information about Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction
Safe Storage and Disposal of Medications
