Loving someone with a meth or opioid problem can feel like playing real-life Clue. You’re forced into hunting for hidden leads in a confusing mess of substances, disorienting behaviors, and unresolved trauma. But you’re not the only one.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported nearly 60,000 stimulant overdoses in 2023, proving that harmful stimulant use is a reality for thousands. CDC data even shows that the majority of fentanyl-positive tests indicate cocaine or methamphetamine use.
At Miramont Behavioral Health Hospital in Wisconsin, our teams understand that substance use disorder (SUD) is one diagnosis that can involve multiple substances. And for anyone near Waukesha or Middleton who’s struggling with meth or opioid dependence (or is deeply involved with someone else who is), this article can offer tips.
Hopefully, after reading, you’ll feel less in the dark, more in control, and ready to accept expert help.
How to Recognize Stimulant and Opioid Use in a Loved One
Sometimes we have a hunch that someone is using well before they receive a diagnosis. And if someone is using in an environment they share with you, you might be the first person to notice something’s off.
These tips may help you identify what’s really going on and take clearer, more effective action.
- Know the patterns that come with stimulants. Long stretches of time where the person appears restless and wide-awake before finally succumbing to exhaustion could be one sign of stimulant misuse. Sudden weight loss, enlarged pupils, unusual talkativeness or agitation, and, in more serious cases, unwarranted paranoia or confusion are also strong signs.
- Be aware of opioid misuse signals. Opioid misuse can look like the opposite of a meth problem: drowsiness, small pupils, non-responsiveness, or nodding off mid-conversation. Track marks or unexplained sleeve-wearing in warm weather may also signal intravenous (injected) use of opioids.
- Notice new paraphernalia. Small plastic bags, tiny paper folds, or cling-film wraps may mean the person is storing substances. Pipes, rolling papers, a pierced can or bottle, burnt foil, spoons, or syringes are also objects that a person could be using to take opioids.
- Take more action around patterns, rather than a single incident. A single night of hard partying doesn’t necessarily prove there’s a larger, more sustained problem. However, if certain details start to repeat (despite obvious consequences), you can be more confident that something serious is unfolding.
Unfortunately, following these tips doesn’t always lead to a diagnosis, let alone one that the person agrees to treat. But if any of these descriptions apply to you or a family member, it may be worth considering confronting the issue head-on with us in Waukesha.
How to Talk to a Loved One About Drug Use
Waiting to resolve an issue doesn’t guarantee that the conversation will be any easier. Once you’ve noticed a real pattern, it may be best to address it while taking steps to feel more prepared.
- Choose a calm, substance-free moment. Pick a time when both of you are level-headed and unhurried, rather than in the middle of a crisis or a suspected comedown when emotions may be high—or when attention is very low. A private setting where nobody feels cornered could work better than one where the person could feel publicly ambushed.
- Focus on naming what you’ve actually seen. Describe specific behaviors (such as missed work shifts, days-long stretches of no sleep, or money or other valuables that have gone missing) instead of throwing out stigmatized labels like “addict” or “junkie”. Focusing on behaviors rather than the person’s character may create a more productive conversation.
- Listen before reacting. Let your loved one talk without interrupting or arguing, even when what they say is hard to hear. Feeling heard, even for a moment, may make them more likely to see you as an ally rather than an opponent, or stay more open-minded about getting treatment.
- Point toward concrete next steps. Vague concern may not move the needle here. Instead, you can offer something concrete: a doctor’s appointment, a helpline, an outpatient program, or a peer group like Narcotics Anonymous.
- Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Denial, anger, or a flat refusal to engage may be unavoidable the first time you confront your loved one. But that doesn’t necessarily mean your efforts were in vain. You can table the subject and make a mental note for when you’ll return to it—ideally with support from our Miramont teams.
How Miramont Supports Substance Recovery in Middleton
A small clinical family involvement study from 2020 showed that incorporating family members alongside an individual’s treatment measurably improved their outcomes for a sustained period. At Miramont, we can help you involve yourself in your loved one’s evidence-based care and connect you with programs that support families in your exact situation.
Our dual diagnosis program treats both SUD and several underlying mental health conditions that could be contributing to it. And if a crisis requires psychiatric or behavioral medicine, our inpatient care program can provide continuous supervision and coordinated aftercare planning for whatever should come next.
To receive support, simply reach out—we’re here for you.
