You don't have to struggle with addiction and mental health challenges alone.

The opioid crisis affects millions of people and their loved ones every day. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) declared the opioid crisis a nationwide public health emergency, with opioids causing nearly 75% of all drug-related overdose deaths.

Though the conversation typically centers on the physical consequences of opioid abuse, it can also be an emotional roller coaster for these individuals and their families. This emotional roller coaster often starts quickly with euphoric highs but promptly crashes, causing hopelessness and despair for all involved.

According to Johns Hopkins, it's unknown why some people get addicted to opioids while others do not. Opioid addiction typically starts because opioids reduce feelings of pain and create intense feelings of euphoria.

Opioids work by interacting with pain receptors and producing floods of dopamine, creating a euphoric feeling. The dopamine relieves physical pain but also numbs the user to the emotional pain and stress they may be feeling. Someone experiencing addiction may then constantly seek to re-create that feeling again, causing the emotional spiral typically associated with drug abuse.

Once the thrill subsides, a powerful feeling of nothingness floods in. This crash often causes users to get caught in a painful cycle that involves struggling to manage the physical and emotional withdrawal by themselves -- or use again. If they use again, they'll get temporary relief but risk an even more intense drop.

Loved ones may be caught in this emotional whiplash, too. They may see the person with the addiction swing wildly between fleeting moments of happiness and long periods of emotional withdrawal.

This can be confusing for families, especially if they feel they cannot help their loved one change their behavior. As they watch the addiction worsen, they may experience feelings of anger and resentment, wishing the person with the addiction could see the harm they're causing.

Here are some strategies to help people with an addiction start and manage their sobriety journey:

Seek professional medical help.

The first step should be seeking help from medical professionals who specialize in addiction treatment. They can help a person with an addiction manage physical withdrawal symptoms while they seek therapy to address the emotional challenges they may be facing.

Build a good support network.

Though addiction can often make users push loved ones away, a support network is crucial for recovery. This can be friends, family, or a specialized group of others experiencing addiction, such as Narcotics Anonymous, where they can share their struggles with those who understand.

Get drug therapy.

Going to therapy can help a person with a substance use disorder identify triggers that lead to drug use. With continued help, they can learn how to manage their triggers in healthier ways.

People with an addiction aren't the only ones who need support through the challenges of addiction. Here are some tips for ways family members can take care of themselves while supporting a person with a substance use disorder on their recovery journey:

Seek support and consider seeing a therapist.

Loved ones can benefit from seeking out therapy or discussing challenges with a community of people who have faced similar issues.

Set boundaries.

It's essential for family and friends of the person experiencing addiction to take care of themselves, too. Setting strict boundaries is a good way to do that.

Get educated on addiction.

Working to understand addiction can help loved ones approach users with compassion instead of judgment, which helps create space for the person with an opioid addiction to ask for help.

Opioid addiction is an emotional roller coaster for all those involved. Having the right tools and resources to help you can make everything much easier. Learning to recognize and understand the dramatic emotional dynamics that come with addiction can ensure that both people with opioid addiction and their loved ones can work together to heal and move forward.

If you or someone you know is struggling with opioid addiction, you are not alone. Hennepin County offers resources designed to help you navigate the challenges of addiction, including treatment and recovery programs, harm reduction services, and more.