Have you ever encountered or known someone who was addicted to heroin? What did they act like? Look like? Smell like? The truth is, whereas there are a few "tell-tale signs" that can indicate that someone has been using heroin, it's often hard to distinguish from the symptoms associated with the use of some other potent drugs, and there are even instances where the addict can masterfully "cover up" these symptoms in front of others, so that you're not even able to tell that they're "using". But what about those instances where we are able to tell, or where the person who's addicted "comes clean" and reveals this fact to their family and friends? What's the usual reaction? I've heard of cases where persons who revealed this about themselves got kicked out of home, or were ignored by family and friends, cast away and "left for dead". On the other hand, however, I've observed families who have suffered through this addiction spell with their loved one(s), and gotten them the help they needed, no matter how much resistance they were faced with, and often succeeded in leading their loved one(s) to recovery. So, my question for you is: if this were your family member or friend...how would you react?
Love. Constant love and acceptance. Not accepting their habit, but accepting them with compassion that I am willing to spend time to be their accountability partner to recovery and freedom.
It is difficult to keep on loving and trying to help someone in the family that has this addiction as they sometimes get angry and hurtful and abusive when you say no to money or ask them why they stole from you? Yes you do want to help in any way that you can and you don't want to send them off alone that is why it is necessary to get them into a rehab facility that can help where you cant. After they have come out of rehab it is important to talk about the low self esteem and it is vitally important to encourage them to keep on sober and let them know that they are loved but unfortunately they will have to be monitored because it can come back at anytime.
I think it would depend on the addict's behavior as to how I'd feel. If they were genuinely wanting help and didn't want to live like that any more it would be easier to be emotionally compassionate. If not, honestly, it would be harder. I would do everything in my power to reach out, to offer suggestions for treatment facilities and so forth -- but ultimately the addicted party needs to come to the table with the desire to change. That's not intended to sound uncaring (I hope it doesn't come across that way) but I do have to admit it would be hard if the addict was resistant to change.
Honestly, I would feel enraged toward their addiction. I mean, who would love to have such people surrounding them? And let's be honest concerning this question. Though things happen differently in reality: We love people who we feel that are facing struggles, unbearable ones... and we try to make them quit, even if they're stubborn... and even if their stubborness upsets us, we still go ahead, trying, trying, trying to accomplish something. Perseverance is the key, but most of us don't consider it, unfortunately.
I have seen some people who have been kicked out from the family as, the person was stealing to keep up with their addiction, and being around that person can have some dangers as the person's dealers could show up wanting money or being in debt to other people. It can be a hard choice for some families as to do, they want this person in the house when the person has been taking money and betraying their trust which, will be hard to regain unless they are willing to change and do something productive if they receive the support. Sometimes the family does not want to deal with the person or don't know, what to do and think maybe the person can change themselves with someone else's help and don't try and step in when they need to.
I personally am against the mentality most people adopt. Whenever family members err or deviate from the norm, they immediately abandon them. That's now how family works in reality. When you're a family, you stick with each other through thick or thin. And if you know you can still do something for them, then do it. I would never neglect family members who've gone astray. I'd do what I can to help them recover.