Watching as a loved one struggles with opioid addiction is difficult. After all, you know how amazing your loved one is when they aren’t under the influence of illicit substances. While it is frustrating to try to figure out what to do when someone refuses addiction treatment, your loved one’s health and well-being are worth your effort.
Understanding why someone is in addiction denial isn’t always easy. Yet, professional family support for addiction can help you understand your loved one’s resistance. Here, you’ll also gain insight into good communication strategies and practical steps your family can take to figure out how to help your loved one refusing addiction treatment.
Why Do People Refuse Opioid Addiction Help?
When someone won’t accept addiction treatment, it’s important to explore the potential reasons for their refusal. Take a look at these common reasons why people refuse opioid addiction help to see if any could be impacting your loved one’s decisions.
Fear of Withdrawal Symptoms
Many people try to stop using opioids on their own. It’s possible that your loved one has tried to stop using opioids but went back to them after experiencing painful or severe withdrawal symptoms such as agitation, muscle aches, or anxiety. Some people also experience severe nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramping.
Although the withdrawal symptoms are uncomfortable, the best recovery options for people who use opioids include support to ease discomfort. Professional addiction treatment teams can provide emotional support through counseling. Medication is also an option for helping people deal with their physical withdrawal symptoms.
Denial or a Lack of Awareness of Their Addiction
Convincing someone to get addiction help is also challenging when they simply can’t see the problem. A loved one who refuses opioid treatment may have clouded judgment, which makes it difficult for them to see the negative effects on their body and mind. Although it may seem hard, the truth is that overcoming addiction denial is one of the first steps toward getting sober.
Stigma or Shame About Seeking Help
Many people feel ashamed about their opioid use, even when they claim they don’t have a problem. Your loved one may also have a strong desire to maintain their independence, and seeking help feels like a weakness in their minds.
Talking about addiction is one of the best ways to overcome shame and social stigmas. Professional counselors can help you learn how to talk to a loved one about opioid addiction in a calm, caring tone that encourages them to seek help.
Misinformation About Treatment Options
Some people avoid seeking opioid addiction help due to failed attempts to get sober in the past. If your loved one has dealt with treatment-resistant addiction, then they may think that seeking help is pointless. Fortunately, there are multiple opioid treatment options available along with ways to address underlying mental health conditions that can help them find success.
People who use opioids may also fear using medication-assisted treatment (MAT). While some people worry that using medication isn’t the same as getting truly sober, the truth is that MAT is effective in helping people overcome opioid dependence. For instance, the use of methadone in one study resulted in 33% fewer positive tests for opioids in the people who used this treatment.
Financial or Logistical Barriers to Treatment
Figuring out how to help someone with an opioid use disorder may also include exploring ways to overcome financial concerns with treatment. Many people rely on health insurance to cover the costs of their care. There may also be community resources available to assist with paying for opioid treatment. Your loved one may be able to see how seeking support now can benefit them financially in the future by helping them hold a job as they rebuild their confidence.
Having a Conversation About What to Do When Someone Refuses Addiction Treatment
Learning how to help someone with opioid addiction involves finding ways to successfully talk about the benefits of seeking treatment. You’ll first want to begin by choosing a quiet time and place that offers privacy. Once you begin talking, make sure to use nonjudgmental language. Practicing active listening also helps your loved one know that you care about what they have to say.
Support for families who need to help a loved one with opioid addiction also includes teaching you how to use motivational interviewing techniques. Motivational interviewing is associated with successfully assisting people to explore and overcome ambivalence regarding treatment. Hearing personal stories and testimonials can also help someone who misuses opioids feel less alone and have greater hope for a successful recovery.
Figuring Out How to Set Boundaries with a Loved One Addicted to Opioids
Boundaries are the key to helping without enabling someone’s substance use disorder. Families want to avoid making excuses for their loved one’s behavior. It’s also important to avoid providing financial support that can go toward purchasing opioids. Setting firm boundaries with love and compassion makes it clear that you will not support your loved one’s opioid use.
Seeking family counseling is another one of the important steps to take if a loved one refuses addiction treatment. Family support addiction professionals provide includes assisting with setting boundaries and dealing with the emotional challenges that come with watching someone misuse opioids.
Exploring Alternative Support Strategies When Someone Refuses Addiction Treatment
Opioid addiction help goes beyond the traditional types of care that your loved one may know about. For instance, harm reduction strategies can help reduce the risk of an overdose and other serious health consequences when someone refuses addiction treatment. Naloxone access and needle exchange programs are two examples of successful harm reduction strategies that your loved one might be open to using.
Medication-assisted treatment is another option. Opioid treatment centers offer several forms of medication that your loved one can use to find the right one to help them recover. Inpatient care is another option that allows your loved one to stay in a facility with around-the-clock support. Alternatively, choosing outpatient care can address concerns regarding needing to work or to take care their family.
Determining When to Plan an Addiction Intervention
The first step you need to take to plan an intervention may already be underway. Noticing the signs of opioids’ negative impact on your loved one’s life is usually the initial motivation for staging an intervention.
Whether your loved one is facing criminal charges, had an overdose, or is struggling to hold a job or healthy relationships, an intervention can let them know you’re willing to support their recovery. Finding professional help is beneficial for ensuring that the intervention stays positive and offers compassionate support with helpful information for your loved one.
If the intervention is unsuccessful, your support team can help you identify the next steps to take. Typically, this involves reinforcing the boundaries that you set. Families will also need to begin developing their own support network that they can rely on as they navigate the next steps.
Caring for Yourself While Supporting a Loved One Refusing Addiction Treatment
Loving someone with an addiction takes an emotional toll that impacts every aspect of your life. Until your loved one decides to seek help, you’ll need to practice self-care. Family members and caregivers of someone who misuses opioids often benefit from talk therapy.
Joining group therapy sessions can connect you with support from others who experience similar situations. Many family members with a loved one who refuses opioid treatment also choose to attend individual counseling that helps address their efforts and reactions to setting boundaries.
While working to figure out what to do when someone refuses addiction treatment is hard, you don’t have to do it alone. Going to family counseling for addiction allows you to practice self-care that keeps you strong and available when your loved one chooses treatment.
Reach Out for Professional Family Support for Opioid Addiction
Practicing patience is important when you are trying to help someone who refuses addiction treatment. You can expect to face some emotional challenges as you embark on this journey, but you also have many opportunities to find support available.
Making sure to practice self-care includes taking time out to focus on the activities and relationships that bring you joy. Setting boundaries prevents you from facing the fallout of feeling as though you are enabling your loved one’s behavior.
If you struggle with frustration, fear, and other challenging emotions, then reach out for professional guidance. Our team at Health Care Resource Centers can help you plan an intervention to initiate helping your loved one seek treatment. We can also point you toward MAT programs and other forms of treatment that you can use to launch an immediate response to your loved one’s accepting their need for care. Together, we can make a difference in your loved one’s life while also ensuring that everyone has access to support for overcoming opioid addiction.
