Do you think that your young, adult son or daughter is misusing opioids, prescription or illicit? Have you tried talking to them about their behavior and the risks that come with using this class of drugs? We understand that having such conversations is incredibly uncomfortable and having talks about drug use don’t always end the way you would like. Part of the problem stems from young adults being just that, young. People in their twenties have no problem thinking that they have their life under control; any assertion to the contrary is likely to be met with adamant denials, justifications, and excuses.
You know that you need to have a meaningful discussion that comes from a place of love about your adult child’s condition, and the sooner you have it, the better. All drugs and alcohol can cut a person’s life short; opioids can bring about terrible outcomes sooner. Just doing a little bit too much or being exposed to synthetic opiates like fentanyl, unknowingly, can bring about an overdose. The vast majority of Americans have seen the reports of opioid overdose in America; sadly, many parents have had to bury their children because of untreated addiction.
If you believe that your child will not respond well to your pleas for them to get help, we strongly advise seeking the assistance of an interventionist. People working in the field of intervention understand how to talk to those in the grips of addiction in a way that brings about a successful outcome. Given the fact that such people are not friends or family, they can mediate the intervention without emotions getting in the way. They can impress upon your loved one the realities of addiction and what will happen if treatment is eschewed. So, again, if you believe that your child has an opioid use disorder, we advise seeking professional assistance to better ensure your son or daughter is receptive to accepting help.
Millennial Opioid Use On The Rise
Most parents can’t imagine that their son or daughter is playing with fire. It is not hard to ignore odd behaviors and chalk them up to anything other than abusing drugs. Unfortunately, the deadly nature of all things opioid means that no one can afford to disregard the warning signs, isolative tendencies, nodding off in the middle of the day, and pinpoint pupils to name a few.
Opioid abuse is exceedingly prevalent among young people today, and so is overdose. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that drug overdoses are sharply rising for young adults between the ages of 25 and 34, according to U.S. News & World Report. Since 2014, there has been a nearly 50 percent increase from the rate of overdose fatalities in that age group. Many young people are succumbing to fentanyl, a drug that is 100 times more potent than morphine and can be 50 percent stronger than heroin. Most people who die from fentanyl exposure didn’t know they are using fentanyl. Illicit opioid use is now even more of a game of Russian roulette.
With all that in mind, anyone can see the importance of encouraging young adults to accept help. Treatment works, long-term recovery is possible for anyone willing to make changes in their life.
Opioid Addiction Treatment
Please contact Hope by the Sea to discuss your adult child’s options. We offer several types of programs, many of which are uniquely suited to the needs of young adults struggling with addiction. You may decide that an interventionist is necessary, which is why we work closely with some of the best professionals in the field.
