Due to heroin's intensely addictive nature, dependency on the drug can be formed upon initial use. Seeking treatment for a heroin user must therefore be attempted with the understanding that the user is likely not physically able to stop by sheer force of will. As heroin is one of the most damaging and addictive types of drugs, getting treatment from qualified professionals is imperative for a heroin user. As the body builds a tolerance to heroin with continuous use, the user will repeatedly increase his or her dosage, inevitably to lethal amounts.
If you are trying to get help for a heroin user, the first step is to confront the user and ask if he or she is willing to get professional help for the addiction. While some users may acknowledge they have a problem and accept professional treatment, many will express an unwillingness to receive help. It is important to remember in this case that a user's initial denial and unwillingness to stop using the drug is not uncommon.
Whether or not the heroin user has agreed to accept help once confronted, the next step is to call a local hospital to ask what sorts of resources are available for getting a loved one help with heroin addiction. A medical facility should be able to provide you with contact information for support groups and professional rehabilitation resources, either within the hospital or the community. Upon making contact with a group or counselor and explaining your situation, they may recommend staging a supervised intervention with the heroin user. The purpose of an intervention is to create a "rock bottom" state for the addict, to reinforce the severity of his or her addiction and its ramifications for on loved ones.
If you are seeking help for a heroin user, it is important that you also accept support as a casualty of the user's addiction. Groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA) offer support for the family and friends of drug addicts in addition to the addicts themselves. The effects of a heroine user's addiction on loved ones can include depression, anxiety, feelings of despair, and other damage to their overall quality of life.
