Opioid use

Opioid addiction is a growing epidemic

Opioids are commonly prescribed as pain relievers, but even slight changes to prescribed usage can quickly lead to problems. Around 2 million people in the U.S. suffer from opioid addiction today, but there is hope. Our Student and Family Assistance Program can help.

Explore the resources below, or call us at 800-236-3231 for a free, confidential consultation with an SFAP counselor.

Understand addiction

Many people believe that stopping drug abuse is a matter of a willpower, but addiction to opioids is a serious disease that often requires medication-assisted treatment to overcome. Understanding how it works is the first step to a successful recovery.

• Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction [PDF]
  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  If opioids are prescribed medication, how do people become addicted? Is medication-assisted treatment a good idea, and how does it work? Find thorough, step-by-step information about this life-saving treatment methodology.

Be prepared

Because the consequences of opioid misuse can be so severe, it’s important to understand the warning signs of an overdose – and what to do if it happens to you or a loved one.

• Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit: Safety Advice for Patients & Family Members [PDF]
  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  Opioid misuse always carries the risk of overdose, and the consequences can be fatal. Get tips for safe use of prescribed opioids to avoid overdose, find out how to recognize the signs of an overdose, and learn how overdoses are medically treated.
• Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit: Recovering from Opioid Overdose [PDF]
  Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
  Surviving an opioid overdose – yours or a loved one’s – is a traumatic experience. Find a comprehensive list of resources for coping with the aftermath.

Additional resources

Find more education, treatment, and support resources from these trusted organizations.

• The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (www.ncadd.org) offers an easy diagnostic test, education, recovery support, local resources, and more.
• The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (www.samhsa.gov) runs a free, 24-hour national help line at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) (TTY: 1-800-487-4889)
• Narcotics Anonymous (NA) (www.na.org) hosts open support group meetings for people struggling with narcotics addiction.
• The National Institute of Health (www.medlineplus.gov) provides free, up-to-date addiction information from the world’s largest medical library.
• The National Institute on Drug Abuse (www.drugabuse.gov) offers information about addiction research, clinical trials, and treatment options.

Support for loved ones

Addiction hurts more than just the addict and dealing with an addicted friend or family member can be overwhelming and painful. These organizations focus on supporting you.

• Families Anonymous (www.familiesanonymous.org) provides a 12-step fellowship for the family and friends of individuals with drug, alcohol, or related behavioral issues.
• SMART Recovery (www.smartrecovery.org) is a support group alternative to those based on the 12 steps of recovery, with most support groups currently hosted online.
• Love First (www.lovefirst.net) helps families of addicts with general education and assistance with interventions, as well as a more intensive Structured Family Recovery program.
• The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation (www.hazeldenbettyford.org) offers a Family Program of seminars and workshops for educating and supporting families faced with alcohol and drug addiction, as well as Family Connection Coaching over the phone.
• NAMI Family-to-Family Program (www.nami.org) is a free, 12-session educational program for families, significant others, and friends of people living with mental illness, offered by the National Alliance on Mental Illness.