Content medically reviewed by Vicky Magobet, PMHNP-BC, on August 17, 2020.
For many people in addiction recovery, their families have to go through a recovery of their own. Since family makes up a large part of life for a lot of people, they affect and experience the effects of a relative's substance use disorder. While this involvement can put a family through stress, it also means they can help their loved one have a successful recovery.
The resources for family members of addicts that we will discuss in this post offer ways to support yourself and your loved one as they go through addiction.
During family support group meetings, family members of people with addiction share their experiences and strategies. These spaces allow family members to find solidarity in people who have a similar situation with their loved ones.
Family support groups serve two purposes — helping the participants cope with their challenges and teaching them new ways to support their loved ones. To find one of these meetings in your area, ask a local addiction treatment center or substance use support group.
When addiction complicates a family's relationships with each other, family therapy can help them strengthen their bonds and better support one another.
Some addiction treatment centers that offer individual substance use counseling also have family-based services. During family addiction counseling, a therapist helps everyone involved understand and support each other. If your loved one goes to one-on-one addiction therapy, ask them if their provider has options for family counseling.
Nonprofits dedicated to helping families in recovery often have resources such as toolkits, guides and provider listings. Some examples of these organizations include:
The organizations under the National Institutes of Health have plenty of evidence-based resources for people with addiction and their families. If you need an overview of the support process for a loved one with addiction, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has two guides:
Plenty of addiction treatment centers, including Diamond House Detox, have blogs and resources to help families in recovery. Topics can include life in recovery, how to support a person with addiction and healthy living tips for recovery. You can keep up with their updates by following them on social media or signing up for their email newsletter if they have one.
If your loved one wants to begin addiction treatment in Northern California, consider Diamond House Detox for residential programs. We offer personalized treatment in a home-like environment where they can feel safe and supported.
For more information about our services, call us at 800-205-6107 or contact our team online.
