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Apart from directly finding heroin, the signs just mentioned do indicate that something is wrong.

If your loved one starts these habits, you should keep watching his behavior and find professional help.

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Related: The ‘Mecca’ for Opioid Addicts

How to help. Heroin addicts need strong encouragement and support. At this time, your loved one will need your help more than ever.

Here are a few steps you should take if you suspect addiction.

  • Cut addiction support. If the loved one is receiving money or free shelter from you, you have to stop enabling the addiction. He will see no reason to change unless you do. However, you can perform this step with graciousness. For example, instead of free meals and shelter, you can require the loved one to work for them. Refuse to give them money, and let other family and friends know not to do the same.
  • Offer help. Talk with your loved one and offer him your help with this problem. Be as soft as possible but as firm as necessary. Often, heroin users may face criminal charges, giving him other motivation to change as well.
  • Find outside support. Heroin addicts need to go through treatment and support groups. They need the professional advice and medicine that will get them out of their addiction. Many times, surrounding themselves with these groups and supportive family will give them a boost into life again. Also, get teachers, supervisors, and other family members involved in case any suspicious activity is happening at work or school.

While heroin addicts will need support to overcome addiction, they can get past it. You should learn to recognize heroin addiction signs and find professional help as soon as possible. Show addicts that you care without enabling them, and stay part of their lives throughout treatment. Together, you can make the addiction part of your loved one’s past, not his future.

Related: A Letter to My Heroin Addict Daughter

Dr. Manny Alvarez serves as Fox News Channel’s senior managing health editor. He also serves as chairman of the department of obstetrics/gynecology and reproductive science at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. This Fox News piece is used by permission; it also appeared on AskDrManny.com. 

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