Substance Use: Helping Someone Get Treatment

Substance Use: Helping Someone Get Treatment

British Columbia Specific Information

All opioids, including prescribed medications such as morphine and oxycodone, can be addictive. If you are concerned about your use of opioids, speak with your health care provider. For more information visit  HeretoHelp.

BC has launched the Opioid Treatment Access Line to provide faster and easier access to life-saving medication for opioid-use disorder and same-day care. This confidential, toll-free service (1 833 804-8111) is available across B.C. and connects individuals with a team of doctors and nurses who can prescribe opioid agonist medications. Callers are also linked to regional health-care teams for ongoing treatment and support. The service, covered by BC PharmaCare, is available seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Individual, family and small group counselling is available to people of all ages who are directly or indirectly affected by alcohol and other drug use. For more information call the 24-hour BC Alcohol and Drug Information and Referral Service in the Lower Mainland at 604-660-9382 or toll-free anywhere in B.C. at 1-800-663-1441, or visit our Mental Health and Substance Use web pages.

To find mental health and substance use support services in your area, search the HealthLinkBC Directory or contact your local health authority.

Overview

If you have a family member or friend who is using drugs or other substances, you probably want to help. This can be hard. You can't force a person into treatment. But you can talk to the person and encourage them to get treatment. Here are some ideas that may help.

  • Choose a good time to talk.

    Find a time when the person is not using substances, when you are both calm and not angry, and when you can speak in private.

  • Be specific.

    Tell the person that you are worried about their substance use and want to help. Give examples of how the person's behaviour has affected you and how it made you feel.

  • Spell out the consequences.

    Tell the person what will happen if they refuse to get help, and be prepared to act. Stress that you aren't punishing the person but that you want to protect yourself from any harm that their habit causes. For example, you may say that:

    • You will no longer allow substance-using friends in the house, or you will move out.
    • You will no longer make excuses, such as if the person is late to work. The person will have to deal with the problems that substance use causes.
  • Be ready to take action.

    Know ahead of time where and how to get help.

    • If the person agrees to get treatment, call for an appointment right away. Don't accept "We'll call tomorrow."
    • Offer to go to the first appointment or meeting.
  • If needed, consider a group intervention.

    Some people ask a group of people to help them talk to the person who has a substance use disorder. It's best to ask for help from a counsellor or therapist who has had practice in group interventions.

Credits

Current as of: March 22, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine
Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito MD - Family Medicine
Peter Monti PhD - Alcohol and Addiction