Prescription drug addiction can be overwhelming for families. It’s also not uncommon. One study of U.S. adults ages 50 and older found that 7.7% of those who had used prescription medication reported misuse in the past year. It’s hard to watch someone you love face challenges with medicines intended to help them. You may feel afraid, guilty, or confused. While your instincts may drive you to get involved, it’s important to know what truly supports recovery. Even with the best intentions, anyone may mistakenly make things more challenging.
At Groups, we can explore treatment options and help your loved one take the first step toward recovery.
Here are five ways to support your loved one with prescription drug addiction.
5 things you need to know to support a loved one
Prescription drug recovery often means learning to rebuild trust with medication in a healthier way. It’s not always about total avoidance. Recovery is about balance, and your support can help make that possible.
1. Support safe use of prescriptions and medical guidance.
Prescription medications may still be a part of recovery, including tapering schedules, alternative pain management, or medication-assisted treatment. It’s important to encourage your loved ones to follow their provider’s instructions exactly.
You can offer to help them by asking how you can support them and being a safe space.
You can do these things without taking over or policing.
2. Be patient with withdrawal and adjustment periods.
Prescription drug recovery may lead to physical withdrawal symptoms, but they can range in severity. Common symptoms include insomnia, fatigue, mood swings, and pain returning. During this time, try not to express frustration. Show patience and compassion. Remind your loved one that these symptoms are part of the healing process and temporary.
3. Encourage alternatives for pain and stress management.
Many people start taking prescription meds other than as prescribed for reasons like pain, anxiety, or sleep problems. You can support them in exploring other coping methods in line with their recovery goals, so they don’t feel like they’ve lost their only tool for relief.
- Aquatherapy
- Music therapy
- Meditation
4. Celebrate honest communication.
Prescription drug addiction can involve a lot of secrecy. In recovery, honesty is a huge win. Celebrate when they’re open about cravings, side effects, or setbacks. No recovery milestone is too small. Recognizing their efforts can help them build the momentum they need to keep making progress. In time, they may set and achieve bigger goals.
5. Be mindful about medications in your home.
If you have your own prescriptions, store them securely and avoid offering or sharing them, even casually. By decreasing potential triggers, you can help reduce the risk of returning to use. If appropriate, consider safe disposal of unused medications so they’re less accessible.
Dos and don’ts for supporting prescription addiction recovery
Your role is to provide support, whatever that looks like for your loved one. Support may just be about empathy and compassion, or your loved one could ask for encouragement and accountability. However they prefer to be supported, your role is not to judge, interrogate, or control. If you see behaviors like that coming from other people supporting your loved one, you can check in to see if they think it would be helpful to have you address it in a separate discussion. Preserving a trusting relationship continues to be important.
Dos:
- Do support them in whatever way they prefer.
- Do celebrate any wins they share with you (e.g., sticking to a refill schedule, opening up about cravings, or attending a meeting).
- Do keep communication open and compassionate. Use phrases like “I’m proud of how hard you’re working.”
- Do consider ways you can make your own space feel more safe and supportive for your loved one.
- Do take care of yourself. Attend family support groups, set boundaries, and practice self-care so you can show up strong for yourself and for them.
Don’ts:
- Don’t monitor or police pill counts. It can damage trust and push them away.
- Don’t shame or blame them for cravings, withdrawal symptoms, or past misuse.
- Don’t compare their journey to someone else’s. Every recovery is unique.
- Don’t stop being supportive if their journey and progress don’t happen the way you might expect them to. This is not a linear process.
When prescription drug addiction overlaps with other substance use disorders
Prescription drug addiction doesn’t always happen on its own. Research shows that approximately 65.9% of young individuals who took a prescription drug other than as prescribed also used at least one illicit drug in nightlife venues. Opioid use disorder, stimulant use disorder, or cannabis use disorder sometimes go hand in hand. A comprehensive treatment can address everything needed to achieve the best outcome.
At Groups, we provide a welcoming, judgment-free space where your loved one can get the support they need.
Groups can help you and your loved ones with prescription drug addiction
Supporting someone through prescription drug addiction takes patience and compassion. Every small moment of understanding and trust can make a big difference.
At Groups, we offer treatment for opioid use disorder at all of our locations. We currently provide support for stimulant, alcohol, and cannabis use disorders at our Iowa office, and we’re working to expand these services to our other locations. If you have a loved one with prescription drug addiction, we can help. Even if they aren’t nearby, we can provide treatment recommendations close to home.
Have questions about your loved one’s treatment options? Our Recovery Support Coordinators are here to help. Call 888-858-1723 for more information. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups does not offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
