Introducing Help for Addiction
Watching someone you love battle drug or alcohol use can be one of life’s most difficult experiences. Feelings of worry, frustration, and uncertainty about what to do next are completely normal—but you are not alone. Many families face similar challenges, and the encouraging news is that effective help and treatment options are available.
This page will provide information and guidance to help you support someone who is struggling with addiction.
In many cases, family members are unsure whether their loved one is simply misusing a substance or has developed a dependence on it. You can find out more about the difference between substance abuse and dependence.
Challenging Aspects of Addiction
Dealing with a loved one’s addiction is one of the hardest challenges a family can experience. You can find more information here on how to talk to someone struggling with addiction and discover practical advice on the first steps to take toward helping them.
Approaching a loved one about their addiction requires care, understanding, and the right approach. This page outlines key DOs and DON’Ts to guide your conversations, helping you communicate effectively without pushing them away. Read more about some of the DOs and DON’Ts in helping someone.
You may have to face this with your loved one: you reach out for professional help, but they insist they can handle it on their own. Read more here on someone wanting to detox on their own
When a loved one refuses help despite clear signs of addiction, an intervention can be a way to break through denial. This page introduces the concept of intervention—what it means, when it’s needed. You can read more about navigating the challenges of addiction.
Denial is often a powerful barrier that you may encounter—many people struggling with addiction genuinely believe they are in control or that their substance use isn’t causing harm. You can read more about helping someone through denial here.
Taking that first step toward recovery is often frightening, and once the reality of change sets in, fear can cause a person to retreat. It’s not uncommon for someone struggling with addiction to back off after initially asking for help. You can read more about why people back off after asking for help.
Choosing a Facility for a Loved One
Choosing a rehab by focusing on key factors can make the decision clearer. This page outlines five important points to consider when selecting a treatment centre.
Also, here are ten key questions to ask a rehab facility before making your selection. The choice of rehab is as important as the decision to get help.
Family plays a crucial role in the recovery process, and family counselling can help strengthen family bonds. This page explores family counselling and the benefits it offers. You can read more about family counselling in rehabilitation here.
Life skills are essential to lasting recovery, helping individuals rebuild independence and confidence. This page explores how rehab programs can teach practical skills. Learn how life skills in treatment can support personal growth and a successful return to everyday life.
What is Enabling?
Enabling is a common but often misunderstood part of living with someone who struggles with addiction. This page explains what enabling is, how it can unintentionally support the addiction, and what steps families can take to set healthy boundaries that truly encourage recovery.
Intervention
Getting a loved one into rehab can be challenging, and there are often barriers that make it even harder. This page highlights five common obstacles families face when seeking addiction treatment. Read more about the barriers to helping someone with an addiction.
Planning an intervention can be a powerful step in helping a loved one struggling with addiction. This page explains how families can prepare an intervention effectively, offering guidance on setting boundaries, communicating concerns, and encouraging the person to accept professional help. You can read more on how to plan an intervention here.
Calling on an intervention service in many families can be a necessary step. There are many different intervention forms; you can learn more about professional intervention services here.
Relapse, Help and Response
Recognizing early warning signs of relapse can help prevent a full return to substance use. And if a relapse does occur, your response can make a real difference. Find out more about the signs of relapse and how to respond.
Knowing how to respond safely is essential when someone has had too much to drink. This page explains what you can—and can’t—do to help someone sober up, and the dangers of alcohol poisoning. You can read more on sobering someone who drank too much.
