Help for drug addiction Pennsylvania

When Someone You Love Uses Drugs

Don't blame yourself. If someone you care about is having trouble with drugs or alcohol, remember that this is a disease and not their fault. Blaming themselves, you, or anyone else will not help them get better. Instead, focus on ways to provide support and love. Ask questions and be open to change.

Be patient. Recovery takes time, but you can play an important role in helping your loved one find recovery. Help them understand that they are not alone.

If you think your loved one has a problem with drugs, it's important to talk to them about it. Let them know that you're concerned and offer to help them get treatment. It can be tough, but remember that you're not alone in this. There are many resources available to help people struggling with addiction.

Here are some tips on how to help someone who uses drugs:

• Educate yourself about addiction.
• Don't enable their behavior.
• Be there for them.
• Offer support and encouragement.

As a friend or family member of someone with a drug problem, you might feel scared, confused, angry, sad, ashamed, or hopeless. You may even blame yourself or think that your loved one's drug use is your fault. It is not your fault. No one chooses to have a family member with an addiction. But you can help.

Signs of Drug Addiction

Signs of drug addiction often include behaviors like:

• Having a strong desire to continue using drugs despite negative consequences
• Having difficulty controlling or cutting down the amount of drug used
• Spending large amounts of time obtaining, using, or recovering from use of the drug
• Craving drugs
• Experiencing social problems because of drug use
• Continuing drug use despite knowing it is causing physical or psychological harm
• Giving up important activities to obtain and use drugs

Other signs include:

• Losing interest in favorite things
• Not taking care of themselves
• Having different eating or sleeping habits
• Missing appointments
• Having problems at work or at school
• Having problems in personal or family relationships

Drug addiction is a chronic disease that changes the brain. It causes intense urges to use drugs despite negative consequences. People who have drug addiction may not realize they need help, but their loved ones often see signs of the problem and can take steps to support them as they seek help.

Starting the Conversation

Start the conversation when your loved one is calm, awake, and sober. Be supportive and nonjudgmental, but also set limits if their behavior is becoming unsafe. Do not expect one conversation to solve everything. If they are resistant at first, keep trying. They need to know you care about them, even when it is hard for them.

Choose a time and place that is private and quiet, like at home or on a walk. Consider what you are going to say ahead of time. Write it down if that helps. Be clear about how his or her actions affect you and others in the family. Tell him or her why you are concerned and offer to help. Ask them if they would be interested in seeking treatment. You can also offer to attend appointments with them.

Even though your loved one may not agree at first, do not give up. Continue to talk to your loved one about getting help. Listen to him or her and acknowledge his or her feelings. Tell him or her you are there for support if he or she wants it later on.

Express concern for their safety and well-being. Be clear about why you are worried about them. Let your loved one know that you care about their health and recovery. Be as specific as possible about what you have observed. Tell your loved one how much you love them. Reiterate that you want to help.

Be patient and try to understand where they are coming from. Ask questions to better understand their experience, but do not challenge their reality or judge them for it. Let them know there are options to help them cope. For example, therapy, medication management, and support groups.

Let your loved one know that you care and are there for him or her. Show empathy and understand that substance use disorders can be a chronic condition. Express your concern with facts, not blame. Avoid saying things like "You're an addict" or "You will never get better." Be patient as they explore treatment options. Help them find the help that works best for them.

Encouraging Treatment

Offer to search for treatment options together. For your loved one's sake, you will need to do this as soon as possible. Some people are able to get into treatment quickly, but others may take months. It could be that you will have an opportunity to get help right away and your family member or friend wants to begin on his or her own before involving you.

The first step in getting a person into treatment is identifying the need for treatment. This often involves family members or close friends who are not using drugs. The next step is to approach the person about this concern and help him or her get into treatment.

If your loved one has health insurance (either private or public), ask what drug addiction treatments are covered under his or her plan. If there is no coverage, search for publicly funded organizations that provide treatment services. You can also contact the individual's doctor and explain that you're concerned about your loved one's use of drugs. The doctor may be able to suggest a treatment provider and offer some advice on how to get started.

To encourage an addicted person to seek help:

• Talk with your loved one about the problems that are caused by their substance use. Be direct about what is causing you concern.
• Let them know how their behavior affects you, but do not blame or lecture them. Avoid saying "you always," "you never," or making other global statements.
• Do not try to get them to feel guilty or make them admit fault. Guilt and shame do not work and can push an addicted person away from seeking help.
• Be open and honest about your feelings, but avoid being judgmental or accusatory. Let the person know you want to show support without losing respect for him or her.

Ask your loved one what he or she thinks would be best. See how you can support his or her choices.

Encourage your loved one to attend family therapy sessions. Make sure you are a part of any treatment programs that your loved one is in. You might want to ask the provider if they provide services for family members.

Keeping Naloxone on Hand

Keeping naloxone on hand helps families prepare if an emergency happens. Anyone can give naloxone, and it does not require a prescription in Pennsylvania. If you have questions about how to use or get naloxone, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider.

Pennsylvania's standing order lets families, friends and loved ones purchase naloxone at pharmacies without a prescription. People who use opioids can also get prescriptions for naloxone. Having this medicine readily available can save lives. It is important to remember that naloxone cannot be used to prevent an overdose from occurring, it can only be used if someone is already overdosing.

Naloxone is safe and easy to administer. Anyone can learn how to use naloxone with little training. Some pharmacies offer brief trainings on how to use naloxone in conjunction with purchasing the medication. Naloxone may save a life, but it cannot replace seeking help from your doctor for substance use disorder.

Call 911 immediately if someone experiences signs of an overdose. If you have naloxone available, administer it quickly following the instructions that come with the product.

While waiting for emergency medical personnel to arrive, it is important to stay with the person and try to keep them awake and breathing.

The most important thing to do when giving naloxone is to stay with the person until emergency services arrive.

Help for Families

Help for families includes peer support groups like Al-Anon and Nar-Anon that provide education about addiction and strategies for staying healthy while helping loved ones through their own recovery processes. Family therapy is another form of help, as it allows families to address issues in a supportive setting with trained professionals who understand how to deal with the specific challenges associated with substance abuse.

Nar-Anon meetings give relatives a place where they can share with others who are experiencing the same problems. There are no dues, fees or other requirements to participate in Nar-Anon meetings.

Recovery is not only important for those struggling with addiction, but also for their families. Families may experience guilt, shame, and fear as a result of a loved one's addiction. They often find themselves enabling bad behavior or going into denial about their loved one's addiction.

When someone is dealing with a drug problem, families can play an important role in supporting recovery. Loved ones may provide support by encouraging the individual to seek treatment, attending family counseling sessions, and helping the person avoid situations that could lead to relapse.

Family therapy is not for everyone, but it may be worth considering if you've tried other treatments without success or if you feel like you're struggling alone. A good therapist should help you understand what is going on, how to cope, and give you support. Family counseling can also help improve your family's overall functioning and relationships.

In order for you to effectively support the person in your life who is dealing with addiction, it's important to prioritize taking care of yourself. You can't provide as much support if you're stressed, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do.

Helping a Teen or Young Adult

Helping a teen who uses drugs starts with an open discussion about the risks of using drugs. Talk to your child at an age-appropriate level. Ask them questions to learn their feelings and opinions. Show respect for their answers. Be sure they understand that you love them and care about their health and well-being.

When your child is young, set clear rules against using alcohol and other drugs. Tell them why it's important for you as a parent to enforce these rules. Make sure they understand that breaking these rules has consequences. Be specific. When your child is older, talk with them about making good decisions and the risks of using drugs. Tell them about the dangers of drugs and how it can affect their lives.

If you are concerned that your teen has been using drugs, it's important to talk with them about it in a nonjudgmental way. You can try asking questions like "What do you think about drugs?" or "Have you ever tried any drug?"

Be supportive and nonjudgmental. Ask questions about how he or she feels and how you can help.

Keep an open mind about treatment options. Consider asking your child if there are specific things they'd like to try. Involving them in the decision-making process may help them feel less resistant to getting help.

Make a commitment to attend family therapy sessions. Participating in these meetings will keep you updated on your loved one's progress and give you an opportunity to express feelings of concern or frustration.

Be patient. Recovery is a gradual process. Your loved one may need help with coping skills long after leaving inpatient treatment.

Ask what you can do to support your loved one's recovery.

You can talk to your child's teachers or other adults at their school about any concerns you have. Some schools have substance abuse counselors on staff who may be able to help you and your family. If you don't feel safe talking with these people directly, write a letter or send an email describing what is happening.

Getting Help in Pennsylvania

County SCAs can screen and refer family members who may have a substance use disorder and can also help connect them to appropriate treatment options in the community.

Family members can also call the SCA directly if they wish to request this service. Some counties may operate family programs and/or provide information on support services that may be available in their communities.

Pennsylvania's Single County Authorities (SCA) coordinate and manage drug and alcohol treatment and prevention programs at the county level. SCAs can provide funding to eligible clients for treatment or other services. They also make referrals to match treatment needs for individuals experiencing substance use disorders, including families seeking help for a loved one.

Your local Single County Authority (SCA) is a great first place to start if you're in need of treatment for addiction or if you'd like to receive financial support to afford treatment.

There are several other types of agencies in Pennsylvania that provide substance use disorder and/or mental health services. Treatment facilities vary greatly in the types of services provided and their approaches to care. It's important to learn more about a facility's credentials and philosophy before deciding on an appropriate place for your loved one.

Help for drug addiction by Pennsylvania city

Addresses and phones are on each city page.