Helping family members and friends

First, understand that addiction is a disease. Additionally, understand that a family member, a friend, a health care professional cannot force a person through recovery. Each individual must choose to walk down the path of recovery on their own. They are up against a tough fight, but you can be there to support them. There are a number of ways to help them including: 

• Learning about addiction
• Seeking a professional for guidance including how to help the one you care about choose to receive help
• Lending a listening ear when your loved one wants to share their thoughts and feelings
• Expressing praise for their good goals and actions 
• Joining them in their favorite wholesome activities 
• Helping them stay in clean and supportive environments
• Helping them see recovery is good and beneficial

As there are a number of ways to help them, there are number of things which can isolate them or detract from their desire to receive help including:

• Blaming and judging
• Punishing, threatening, and preaching
• Hiding or sheltering them from the reality of their situation
• Taking responsibility for their behaviors