What can I do to support my addicted family member or friend?

If your friend of family is open to getting treatment for their substance abuse or alcohol problem, you can be of immense help in not only providing emotional support, but assisting them in finding out about treatment options.

If it is a crisis and you are worried about their safety, then call 9-1-1 or take them to the closest emergency department.

If your friend or family has a religious background, then helping them share their problems with clergy may be a good way to open up a dialogue about getting treatment.

If your friend or loved one is in denial, then they may refuse to see that they have a problem. Remain supportive. If your friend is open to this, given them objective examples of how their drinking or drug use has gotten out of control.

Once in treatment, your friend and family need all the support that you can provide. Just knowing that people care for them and don’t hold their past behavior against them, will provide a positive support during the difficult work of rehabilitation.

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Questions:

Where can I get help? I can’t afford treatment…what do I do? Can a treatment center help me if I have other problems besides addiction? Do treatment centers help the family members of people who are addicted? How can I avoid the physical and emotional pain of withdrawal and detox? What is the most successful way to treat addiction? What can parents do to help their kids avoid drugs and alcohol? How do I help my friend see that he/she has a drug and alcohol problem? Does everyone need to be admitted to a hospital for treatment? My child is taking drugs, I can't believe it…what can I do? Where can I learn more about addiction and alcohol abuse? Where can I get help after I go through rehab if I think I may relapse? Where can I learn to talk about drugs and alcohol with my children? How can I help myself or my loved one when we live far away from any services? What can I do to support my addicted family or friend? My neighbor's kids are involved in drugs, how do I help?