The opioid crisis has taken too many lives. As the number of deaths from opioid misuse and abuse increases, it has become too easy to lose sight of those who have been impacted by the seemingly unstoppable epidemic. As a registered nurse, I know there are a number of things we can do to change this outlook, which for me, hits close to home.

My daughter, Nikki, was 26 when she died of a fentanyl overdose. As the mother of a 6-year-old and a critical care nurse working in a respected health care organization, Nikki was the picture of success. But even with a thriving personal and professional life, she kept a secret that would eventually take her life—an addiction to opioids.

To handle the pressures of nursing school, a full-time job, and life as a single mother, Nikki had sought prescriptions for Adderall and Xanax from multiple physicians. Over time, her addiction to these substances gave way to a new addiction: fentanyl, which she’d begun to confiscate from the critical care unit where she worked. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is so potent it can stop breathing within just one minute.

Like many others, Nikki didn’t show any signs of addiction—not at home nor in the workplace. But five years after her son was born, Nikki sat at my kitchen table and admitted her private struggle: She was addicted to heroin. She was afraid to get help because she did not want to lose her job or the respect of her peers, and she insisted she could recover on her own.

Even though I knew the odds were not good that Nikki could manage her recovery alone, I respected my daughter’s wishes. It’s a decision I will forever regret.

Eleven months later, Nikki died of an accidental overdose in front of her son and a friend.

The opioid epidemic is continuing to rapidly grow, affecting families in every city across our nation. While conversations around addiction are beginning to impact physician-prescribing patterns, there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done not only to prevent addiction but also to support those suffering as they struggle to recover. Family support is a critical part of this process. The following are key strategies we can leverage to help loved ones live healthy, vibrant lives.

Become Involved In The Recovery Process For A Loved One Suffering From Opioid Addiction

Difficulties managing family conflict are a key contributor to opioid abuse. When families are involved in the recovery process, this provides opportunities to holistically address the family dynamics that may have contributed to abuse. Family members also are a critical link in providing health care professionals with information about their loved one’s history, habits, and relationships. Numerous studies also point to the effectiveness of family support and intervention in overcoming substance use disorder (SUD) when led by competent professional staff who have parenting experience as well as backgrounds in family or group work and have been trained in family therapy models.

Knowing the signs of opioid addiction is a critical starting place and key in improving chances of recovery. To help those suffering from SUD achieve the lifestyle changes needed during the challenging trajectory toward health, family members and friends should:

Family members can also aid in the recovery process by seeking to understand treatment options, including medication-assisted therapy, psychotherapy, mental health treatment, and treatment of medical conditions. To become involved in the recovery process and receive or contribute information about a loved one, family members must gain consent to have access to learn about the patient’s illness and treatment plan. Privacy protections under HIPAA require that the patient provide written consent before this type of information exchange can occur. Obtaining their loved one’s consent is not always easy—but it could mean the difference between life and death.

Actively Seek Alternatives To Opioids For Pain Relief

The chances of opioid addiction increase sharply after just five days of use. Before a loved one turns to opioids to combat pain, encourage your loved one to discuss alternative options with a doctor, including the use of a pain management coach instead of medication. Pain management coaches use digital therapy and motivational interviewing to help patients manage their pain without turning to opioids. When family members are involved in a loved one’s care—such as during a serious illness or after surgery—they can advocate for alternatives to opioids for pain management that eliminate the risk of addiction.

When I think back to my daughter’s struggle with fentanyl addiction, I remember the shame she felt in admitting her illness to me and her fears of sharing her struggle with her employer or her peers. In Nikki’s case, her fear not only kept her from getting help but also resulted in continued access to fentanyl in the hospital where she worked. Unfortunately, her situation is not unique: One study estimates 10 percent of nurses, anesthesiologists, and pharmacists are diverting drugs in their workplace.

People suffering from addiction need to know they are not alone—that there is someone who cares, someone who will connect them to the resources they need to support an effective recovery. Taking the time to educate and empower yourself and others in the fight against opioid addiction is a critical first-line defense to ending the impact of opioid abuse for all.

Author’s Note

The author’s employer, Magellan Health, provides services offered in the recovery process and encourages people to use the resources they have at hand—to speak out and work with professionals that support recovery. Magellan’s customers include health plans and other managed care organizations, employers, labor unions, various military and governmental agencies, and third-party administrators.