If someone you love is addicted to opiates, it can be a scary and frustrating experience. Opiates are quickly becoming one of the most common forms of drugs that people get addicted to. If someone in your family is struggling with this addiction, you may feel helpless to do anything about it. Here are some useful tips to help you cope as well as handle your family member's addiction and hopefully get them on the road to sobriety and recovery.

Don't Be An Enabler

Too often, it's easy for family members to want to help someone addicted to opiates by providing them with money or other items. When you give an addict money, you're most likely contributing further to their addiction instead of helping them actually pay bills or rent. By doing this, you're serving as their enabler and doing more harm than good. Instead of just doing whatever your addicted loved one asks, offer alternative forms of help like a hot meal or let them use your shower or spend the night. Don't feed their addiction by accepting what they say, but instead, let them know honestly how it's negatively affecting you and others in their life.

Get Help

Family members of opiate addicts can suffer their own personal issues such as feelings of guilt, stress, and worry. It's important that you seek help for yourself during this difficult time so you can cope and carry on with a normal life. Addicts tend to be quite manipulative, which can have a serious negative effect on your mental well-being. Look for support groups for families who are dealing with the same thing you are so you have a place to vent and people to confide in. Even if your loved one is not willing to get professional help, you should seek out your own assistance if you feel you need it.

Prepare Yourself

Sadly, it's impossible to control the behavior of those coping with problems due to addiction. Often, those addicted to opiates could end up being arrested or suffer from an overdose, which can potentially be fatal. This is the harsh reality that many family members are left to face when someone they love is addicted to drugs. While you can try your best to help those you love, it's important to mentally prepare yourself for the potential problems that can arise like possible jail time or even death or serious health problems. Sometimes, addicts must deal with horrible circumstances before they realize the harm that drugs are doing to them. As a family member, you should be prepared to see them suffer these consequences in order to begin a new path toward healing.

For more information, contact a company like Still Waters Recovery & Wellness.