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Treatment for opioid dependence is more likely to be successful when patients have a family member or close friend who is actively involved.
Yet for most patients one of the hardest parts of treatment is telling the people they care about that they are dependent on heroin or on painkillers—a feeling of shame about the drug use and fear of a negative response can be extremely powerful deterrents.
For family and friends concerned about someone they love, bringing up the subject of opioid abuse is also difficult. Many fear that voicing their concerns might make the other person angry or defensive, and in the end wind up having the opposite effect of what they had originally intended.
The information in this section is provided to help make that first conversation easier for everyone. This information is also available as handouts that can be printed out and shared with others.
Regardless of whether the opioid-dependent person is you or someone you care about, keeping the following in mind during the conversation can be a helpful way to remind yourself that your initiative made positive change that much more likely:
Information for Information for patients
Information for Information for family, friends, and caregivers
Information for Patients
Regardless of how or why you started taking opioids, by the time you became dependent, taking drugs every day and needing medical treatment, your condition has reached a level where it is considered a "brain disease." The changes to your brain functioning are actually driving you to use drugs.
It is common for people to think of substance dependence as a weakness in character—the idea that dependence is a medical condition may take time for others to understand. Also, accepting that opioid dependence is a medical condition does not mean that you are denying responsibility. It simply means you are acknowledging that your condition will involve medical treatment.
Helping your family members (or friends) understand how they can help support your treatment is important. They may not be aware of SUBOXONE or know about office-based treatment. Also, the clearer you can be about your expectations, the easier it will be for them to actually be helpful. You may want to review the resources below in anticipation of questions that may come up during your conversation.
Remember that change, even change for the better, takes courage. By taking action to get treatment, you are taking an important step. To learn more about SUBOXONE treatment, you may want to read patients' Frequently Asked Questions [PDF–Size: 27KB].
Information for Family, Friends, & Caregivers
It is common for people to think of substance dependence as a weakness in character, instead of a medical condition that needs treatment. It is very important to make it clear that you are not judging, and that you do not think less of this person because he or she is dependent.
By the time a person becomes dependent, taking drugs every day and needing medical treatment, it can be considered to be a "brain disease." The changes that have occurred in that person's brain activity actually drive him or her to use drugs. Willpower and judgment are greatly diminished.
It is important to be reassuring that you do not blame him or her for being dependent any more than you would blame that person for having any other long-term condition, such as diabetes or high cholesterol.
Also, many people are not aware that they can be treated for opioid dependence in a doctor's office. They may think treatment will require them to visit a clinic every day, or enter a residential treatment facility. Reassuring them that they can receive treatment privately and conveniently can help.
Lastly, offering to support this person through his or her treatment is important. It helps to reinforce that your concern is genuine and that you are sincere about understanding the challenges the other person may face.
To learn more about your role in treatment, read families' Frequently Asked Questions [PDF–Size: 30KB].
Additional Resources
Talking to Your Doctor About Treatment
To read about language you can use that does not inadvertently stigmatize or "put down" the person you are trying to help, see Language of Dependence.
Explanation of SUBOXONE Treatment [PDF–Size: 19KB]
