Opioid use disorder (OUD) doesn’t just harm the person using opioids. Dependence often damages trust, finances, communication, and daily routines within relationships.
It might even feel like your loved one is a stranger. They forget about dates, dodge questions, and never seem to have any money. It hurts to watch them self-destruct. You don’t know who to trust anymore.
Addiction and relationships often get strained when opioid use disorder affects trust, safety, and communication. Here are five ways opioids affect relationships, plus ways to heal together.
How Opioid Use Disorder Hurts Relationships
Opioid misuse has an impact on everyone around the person using. Depression, fear, opioid cravings, and hiding opioid use can quickly change someone’s priorities.
Suddenly family time, honest communication, and active listening might take a backseat to drug-seeking behavior. Not being able to trust your loved one hurts. But your loved one has a path toward recovery with proper treatment and support.
5 Ways Opioids Harm Your Relationships
1. Secretive Behavior
Half-truths and secretive behaviors are one of the first things families notice. Your loved one might lie about using opioids, where they spend money, or where they have been.
These lies may start small at first.
“I had to work late.”
“I lost my wallet.”
“Oops, I forgot!”
But after time, you won’t believe your loved one when they give these excuses.
Signs your loved one is lying include:
- They have sudden changes in routine
- You’re always missing money or medications
- They avoid your direct questions
- They hide their phone, bag, or pill bottle
- They don’t spend as much time at home
Your loved one might lie to you out of fear, shame, or withdrawal symptoms. In treatment, your loved one will learn how to manage opioid cravings and withdrawal.
2. Broken Trust
Lying often leads to broken trust. Partners, children, parents, or friends might feel scared, angry, or defensive. Families start setting traps to “catch” their loved one in the act.
Trust is something that has to be earned over time. One apology will not fix the damage that has been done.
If your loved one gets treatment for OUD, they can learn how to be honest with you and others. Counseling and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) can help your loved one heal their relationships while staying stable.
3. Anger and Fighting
Do opioids cause anger? Opioids affect people differently, and can affect mood. Stress from opioid misuse can cause fights in any relationship.
Arguing about paying bills, hiding addiction, and feeling scared can cause anyone to feel upset. Your loved one might suddenly become short-tempered or defensive. You might start fighting over small things.
If you or your loved one feels unsafe or at risk of violence, please reach out for help. Never let someone hurt you or your children. Call emergency services or a local resource that you trust.
4. Enabling
Enabling happens when you inadvertently make it easier for your loved one to continue their substance use. Many loved ones enable out of love or fear of upsetting their friend or family member.
Enabling your loved one can look like:
- Paying bills without clear limits
- Calling their employers to let them skip work
- Doing everything around the house
- Giving them money to “cover emergencies”
- Lying about their drug habits to family friends
- Avoiding conversation about drug use to keep the peace
Enabling your loved one will not motivate them to get help; it just lets them continue their drug-seeking habits.
Setting firm boundaries and limits with your loved one can encourage them to get help. If you think your loved one needs addiction treatment, encourage them to go to therapy.
5. Codependency
Codependency is when you find your entire world revolves around your loved one’s opioid use disorder. You might protect them at work, cover responsibilities out of guilt, and check their phone for drug names.
Codependency can be stressful and frustrating for everyone involved. Usually, the loved one spends less time at home causing you to spend more time covering for them. Your loved one might delay treatment when someone else keeps protecting them from the consequences of their actions.
The best way to avoid codependency is to set firm boundaries. Support yourself by going to counseling and learning about opioid use disorder.
Opioid Use Disorder’s Impact on the Family
Children notice when parents don’t spend as much time at home. Partners might spend more time at work to avoid being alone with their loved one. Siblings might take on more responsibilities to keep the house clean.
OUD can cause:
- Broken trust
- More fighting
- Financial stress
- Burnout
- Fear of opioid overdose
- Kids feeling like they have to grow up too fast
Your family can learn how to support your loved one through substance misuse by seeking counseling.
Repairing Damaged Relationships During Recovery
Rebuilding your relationship takes time, love, and patience. Your loved one might need time to learn to control their emotions. Recovery usually starts with your loved one proving that they can stay stable.
MAT helps people manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Individual therapy can also help your loved one work through stress, triggers, and behavior patterns linked to opioid use.
You might notice your loved one start to:
- Keep their promise to go to treatment
- Tell you the truth, even if it hurts
- Show up for important dates
- Take care of their responsibilities at home
- Avoid people and places linked to use
Your loved one doesn’t have to be perfect. As long as they are trying to better themselves and stay engaged in recovery, that’s all that matters.
Get Help for Opioid Misuse
If opioid misuse is harming your relationships, reach out to BAART Programs. We offer outpatient opioid addiction treatment with MAT, counseling, and support services.
Contact BAART today or find the location nearest you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does opioid misuse affect partners?
Abrupt changes in routines, financial stress, fear of opioid overdose, and less quality time can affect partners. If your loved one has OUD, they may not be able to maintain a full-time job.
Does opioid misuse affect family?
Yes. Family members can be affected financially, emotionally, and physically. Children may have to take on some responsibilities that a parent used to do.
How long does it take for OUD to affect relationships?
Relationships can be affected as soon as your loved one starts hiding their opioid use. Lying about small things can make you doubt your loved one’s every word.
Will a person with opioid use disorder hurt their family?
Someone with opioid addiction might hurt their family by stealing, lying, and manipulating others. Some people act in ways that hurt trust, safety, and family routines.
