I've heard its good to talk with them(while sober) after a crisis about getting help.It would be good to have some information of a place to go should she agree to go. She should go immediately before changing her mind.( a professional interventionist is another good alternative should that fail). Good luck.
Al-Anon is good for you and your family regardless.
Take care,
Ross

I'm still pretty new at this myself. But one thing I can tell you, unless she wants to get clean, nothing you do is going to matter. We are completely powerless over our addicts and their addictions. It a very sad and scary fact. I'm sorry you're faced with this. I'm sorry any of us are faced with this. Heroin is the DEVIL.

I'm so sorry that you/your family are going through this. Yes you would think watching her own brother go through it would be the 'deterant' but everyone has their 'own' reasoning for turning to this evil drug.

I know my son, who was doing really well, getting clean, started college and SO excited for his new life, had a friend od and that sent him right back down the rabbit hole instead of reaching out. So this can go either way for her. We don't know when the 'switch' in ones head goes off and they see any light to be at that point of helping themselves.

You didn't mention how old she is. If she is under 18 parents can 'section' their kids through the law if they are a danger to themselves or those around them. My BF had this done to her 17 year old, it was ugly at the time, but he is doing well now and back at home where b4 he ran away and lived in the streets until they found him finally.

It's harder when they are an adult, the old saying you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink.

My advice would be to seek counseling for yourself and get the guidance you need to try to be of help. If she is an absolute danger then you could turn to your local authorities for help as well? Not sure if you want to go that far. You could try finding a hotline as well.

I will pray for you and your family. Stay strong for yourself and your family.

Thank you so much everyone. She is 23 years old. She is the youngest of the 5 of us, I am the oldest. Heroin is the worst thing ever and I am getting a list of places as we speak. Her best friend emailed me this am about the usage and how scared she is for my sister. i had no idea. I need to be supportive of her loss for the next 24 hours and then make my move to get her help. I am a firm believer in the tough love thing but I know right now if I push the topic, she will disappear and I am not willing to do that. Really does suck and I am so sorry for all of you who are going through this..

Welcome, unfortunately unless the addict wants to quit, "making them" go into rehap is waste of your time,, what you need to do us stop enabling her, set up boundaries, say what you mean, and mean what you say,,, tough love dies not mean you don't love them, it means you love them so much, that you are done watching them destroy their lives,,, addiction is a disease , and addict can not just stop,,, until they reach their very bottom, and have nothing left, they will not stop,,, at 23 years old, she is an adult, and there is nothing you can do except , manage your own life

This site, has wonderful people on here, this has been my life line,

Pray,,, and surrender her to your higher power
You can not control, cure, nor are do we cause their addiction

Hugs
Kim

Thanks Kim. I am praying that when she says she is going to get help she means it. Thank God I am not an enabler. She is skating on rock bottom but not there. Heroin is the devil!

when my son got out of rehab, 20 minutes off the bus, he found out that his best "addict friend" in NY (where he was then) was dead. He found out at a meeting. He could have easily gone off the deep end and undone all his hard work. Instead, thank God, he walked into a meeting and told perfect strangers what happened and asked for numbers and help.
There are resources, and we can offer it to them...but my son's friend chose to react in an unhealthy way and died, and my son chose life. Meanwhile, caring as I was, I knew none of what was going on...you are lucky in the fact that you will have this intersection of your lives to talk about things....if she doesn't bail.
remember, addicts want to be numb and not feel, so don't be surprised if she is wasted for the service.
Hope things go well for you. sending positive thoughts.

Well I went to the wake and my sister was a complete zombie. Her best friend who died was clearly one who supplied her. He used to be this healthy kid and he was 70 pounds in the casket. Our family is keeping a very close eye on her to make sure she doesn't hurt herself. In 3 little months my sister is a stranger. Breaks my heart.

Ellie.. so sorry ... thanks for sharing, this group has been a lifesaver for me, and I hope it will for you too.

No thank you for replying. Its been a saving grace. The support is very much appreciated.