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February 4, 2019 by Sofia

Options for Caring: How to Help a Heroin Addict

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Does someone in your family have a heroin addiction problem?

Drug overdoses continue to be one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in the United States. According to data collected by the CDC, more than 70,200 Americans died in 2017 due to a drug overdose.

If you’ve noticed signs of heroin abuse, it’s important to know how to help a heroin addict before it’s too late. Learn the steps to take when confronting an addict and how to get them help.

Signs and Symptoms of Heroin Use

Symptoms of heroin abuse vary depending on the frequency of use. Immediate symptoms occur shortly after using the drug. Delayed and long-term effects appear after a period of time.

Short-term symptoms:

  • Dry mouth
  • Itching
  • Nausea and vomiting

Long-term symptoms:

  • Appearing drowsy or sleepy
  • Slower breathing and heart rate
  • Slipping between periods of wakefulness and being asleep
  • Not being able to process thoughts clearly

A long-time user of heroin also exhibits other signs:

  • Skin infections
  • Abscesses
  • Needle marks
  • Bruising along the injection site
  • Heart problems
  • Liver and kidney disease
  • Collapsed veins

Because of the damage that heroin inflicts on the body, it’s important to look for these signs and understand how to deal with a heroin addict.

How to Help a Heroin Addict

If you notice the signs and symptoms above take a step back before you confront an addict. It’s easy to get upset or angry, but the best way to find help for heroin addicts is to understand the situation and hold an intervention.

First, take some time to learn about heroin and why people resort to abusing it. Many resort to heroin use because it helps numb pain and increases dopamine levels in the brain. Unfortunately, the aftereffects are not only uncomfortable but also deadly. 

Next, research the different ways you can help them. Reach out to family and friends that want to hold an intervention with you.

Remember, in order to have a happy family situation, you need to stick together through thick and thin. Be sincere but avoid enabling behaviors such as loaning the addict money.

Holding an Intervention

When choosing a team to help with the intervention, pick people that are closest to the addict. Close friends and family members are the best bet.

If you aren’t confident in your ability to hold an intervention, hire an interventionist that specializes in finding heroin addicts help. An interventionist guides you through the steps of creating your speech, finding the right spot, and picking the best time to hold the meeting.

Afterward, you can recommend they get help at a heroin addiction rehab center.

Preventing Relapse in the Future

Spotting the warning signs early and staging an intervention can save a heroin addict’s life. Be honest and upfront when you confront them, but don’t enable their bad behavior. Hire an interventionist for the best chance of success.

Now that you know the steps on how to help a heroin addict and get them treatment, the last step is preventing relapse. Recommend that the addict takes advantage of aftercare services and support groups.

Dealing with addiction in the family is hard, but you can get them help. Want more tips about family and life? Contact us with questions or comments and don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop.

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About Me and My Family

Hey! I'm Sofia, mother or two and happily married to my husband, Lorenzo. We believe family is the most important thing in life today. People can get easily distracted by all the business life brings. This blog is dedicated to helping you navigate life and spend more time with your family!

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