What to Know About Recovery and How to Support Your Loved One
Know that agreeing to try to recover is a huge step for someone with opioid use disorder (OUD). As your loved one moves into recovery, know that your support is critical right now and can help them stay focused on their end goal and give them the stability they need to succeed.
What to Know About Recovery and How to Support Your Loved One
Know that agreeing to try to recover is a huge step for someone with opioid use disorder (OUD). As your loved one moves into recovery, know that your support is critical right now and can help them stay focused on their end goal and give them the stability they need to succeed.
What to Expect
You will hear this everywhere, but it’s true: Recovery is a journey unique to each person. Recovery doesn’t happen overnight, so focus on the small steps, and take it one day at a time. Here are some things to expect:
Withdrawal
This is a physical symptom that occurs once your loved one stops using opioids and lasts between 4 and 10 days, depending on the severity of their OUD. The symptoms could vary but can include the following:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Hot and cold flashes
- Perspiration
- Muscle cramps
- Watery discharge from eyes and nose
- Diarrhea
Relapse Is Common
It will likely take more than one try to stop using. Relapse is just part of getting better, so it’s important that you do not feel like this is a failure but rather a stage your loved one will move through.
Treatment and Medications
OUD is a serious disease that needs proper treatment and medical support. There are many treatment options, from at home to in clinics and residential options. The first step is to connect with a specialist health care provider who can walk through the available support. One of the most successful ways to treat OUD is Medication-Assisted Recovery, which consists of medications that help block cravings and withdrawals and help support a sustained recovery. There are three medication options to consider:
Buprenorphine
(Suboxone®, Subutex®, Probuphine®)Type:
Daily pill, dissolvable strip, or monthly injection
Location:
Prescription pills can be taken at home, injection is given at a clinic
Support:
Can be paired with optional counseling
Benefit:
Can be taken after you’ve been opioid-free for just 12–24 hours, can be taken at home, helps with cravings and withdrawal symptoms
Naltrexone
Type:
Monthly injection or tablet
Location:
Given at a clinic
Support:
Can be paired with optional counseling
Benefit:
Gives you the most independence and reduces opioid cravings
Methadone
Type:
Daily liquid medication
Location:
Given at a clinic
Support:
Daily clinician support and optional counseling
Benefit:
Daily clinic visits give you added structure to your recovery and a daily check-in on your progress.
How to Help Someone Through Recovery
People can and do recover from heroin, or illicit opioids use, even if they have been trying to quit for years. There are several ways you can support your loved one through recovery.
Make the Process Simple
Help your loved one with the logistics of recovery, like booking appointments, signing up for Medicaid, and driving them to clinics if possible.
Provide a Stable Environment
Use positive encouragement to remind them their recovery journey is courageous. It also helps to frame negative symptoms in a positive light, viewing them as signs their bodies are getting rid of toxins.
Stay Positive
Use positive encouragement to remind them their recovery journey is courageous. It also helps to frame negative symptoms in a positive light, viewing them as signs their bodies are getting rid of toxins.
Encourage Proper Nutrition
Eating healthy and well-balanced food reduces mood swings and provides general health benefits.
Maintain a Productive Schedule
Include things like watching TV or movies, going for walks or short car rides, and reading magazines in their daily schedule. Boredom can often negatively impact recovery.
Find Healthy Ways to Cope With Stress
Help your loved one manage stress by using simple techniques such as talking, exercise, or massage.
Understand Relapse
Recognize the early signs of relapse, such as avoiding friends and family or skipping treatment sessions. Remember, relapse is not a sign of failure. Instead, it’s often part of the overall recovery process.
Make the Process Simple
Help your loved one with the logistics of recovery, like booking appointments, signing up for Medicaid, and driving them to clinics if possible.
Provide a Stable Environment
Use positive encouragement to remind them their recovery journey is courageous. It also helps to frame negative symptoms in a positive light, viewing them as signs their bodies are getting rid of toxins.
Useful Reading
Supporting Someone Through RecoveryStart Today by Connecting
With a Specialist
Speak With a Specialist
Call 833-234-6343
Learn About Options
Text “HELP” to 833234
Visit a Clinic
Find a Local Provider
Recovery is possible with the right help. Explore your treatment options by doing any of the following:
Call 833-234-6343Text “HELP” to 833234
Find a local health care provider
These services are supported fully through a State Opioid Response (SOR) grant to the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (TI-081699).
These services are supported fully through a State Opioid Response (SOR) grant to the Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (TI-081699).
Recovery is possible with the right help. Explore your treatment options by doing any of the following:
