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Supporting Someone in Recovery

It’s never easy to watch a loved one suffer from substance abuse or addiction. It's even harder to try and support their recovery when they've also abused you, manipulated you, stole from you, lied to you, betrayed your trust, and all the horrible things the monster of addiction leads them to do.

Maybe you’ve seen them go through withdrawal or watched them lie about their use. Maybe you’re worried about their health or the choices they’re making. It’s a tough road for both the person struggling and for those who care about them. 

Figuring out how to help someone with an addiction can be incredibly challenging but  can help give your loved one a greater chance at continued sobriety.

A solid support system can provide a greater sense of belonging, empowerment, and motivation to recover.  Without a strong support systems, those in recovery are at risk of isolation, depression, and a feeling of hopelessness. All three of these conditions can increase the risk of relapse.









The first step is understanding that addiction is a disease.  Drugs and alcohol can rewire the brain, disrupting function and leading to dependency. It results in a distorted value system that shifts toward supporting ongoing substance use.

The brain’s reward system has been compromised and the part of the brain responsible for impulse control and cognitive reasoning has been damaged.  The good news is, serotonin and dopamine levels can be rebalanced and neurological pathways can be either repaired, or rewired. 

Hopefully, knowing that addiction is not a matter of willpower or a moral failing, but the result of a brain that's been hijacked, will help you be more patient and compassionate toward the challenges they are going through.   However, don't forget to set boundaries as your health and wellbeing are important, too.


Ways to be supportive:

  • Check in on them daily
  • Listen to their daily challenges and successes
  • Recognize and celebrate small steps and victories as well as the big ones
  • Encourage healthy habits
  • Try not to judge
  • Reduce elements that might cause triggers such as people, place, memories, holidays, etc.
  • If you come to the point where you've done everything you can and it's still not helping, learn to let go.  You're healthy, wellbeing, and sanity are important, too.