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Family & Friends

Know someone in recovery? Find out how you can help them in their journey as well as how you can cope on your own with our supportive articles.

Supportive family members during treatment process

How Families Can Be Part of the Addiction Treatment Process

By Liemann Valdimar

While family input is only typically required in youth recovery, getting family members to share their perspective in adult rec... Continue Reading

Young hip couple

What I Learned About Helping My Partner With His Drinking Problem

By Cassandra Huerta

One writer shares 5 indispensable lessons she's learned when it comes to helping a loved come to terms with their own substance... Continue Reading

maladaptation

The Maladaptive Process in Addiction

By Toshia Humphries Toshia Humphries is a Texan freelance writer, artist, and life coach and possesses three degrees in counseling and psychology, focusing on addictions and women’s studies.

There are also unfortunate changes that take place and bring a family out of balance, including addiction. Continue Reading

distraught woman

When to Stop Trying to Save an Addict

By M. Lujan

Although it may be one of the toughest things you’ll ever have to do, the friends and families of addicts need to let go of the... Continue Reading

addict in denial

Distortion and Denial: Addiction's 2 Most Powerful Bodyguards

By Toshia Humphries Toshia Humphries is a Texan freelance writer, artist, and life coach and possesses three degrees in counseling and psychology, focusing on addictions and women’s studies.

Individuals in active addiction often become very defensive when confronted about their drinking or drug problem. Continue Reading

holding hands

Acceptance vs. Enabling: The Difference Between a Caring Habit and a Destructive Pattern

By Toshia Humphries Toshia Humphries is a Texan freelance writer, artist, and life coach and possesses three degrees in counseling and psychology, focusing on addictions and women’s studies.

Though the root of enabling is clearly prefaced with the seven caring habits, including but not limited to accepting, it does n... Continue Reading

5 Essential Components of a Successful Intervention

By Audrey Beim

We spoke with Addiction Intervention Specialist Kevin Dixon of KD Consulting to break down the 5 essential components of every ... Continue Reading

hands holding hearts

6 Ways Friends & Family Can Support an Addicted Loved One

By Dominica Applegate Dominica Applegate has worked in the mental health field for 12 years before launching her own business as a writer. She earned her Master's in Counseling from Liberty Universit

If you have a loved one in recovery, your love and support can make a tremendous difference in their path towards change. Here ... Continue Reading

Are You an Enabler? Here's How You Can Tell

By Tess Chedsey

The terms “enabler” or “codependent” have negative connotations, but those who exhibit these behaviors are often loving, caring... Continue Reading

Adult child of an alcoholic sitting alone

ACOA: 5 Traits of Adult Children of Alcoholics

Do you have any of these common characteristics of adult children of alcoholics? Reading this article will provide some answers. Continue Reading

silhouettes of couple back to back

6 Steps to Loving the Addict in Your Life

By Dominica Applegate Dominica Applegate has worked in the mental health field for 12 years before launching her own business as a writer. She earned her Master's in Counseling from Liberty Universit

It's not always easy to love the addict who has exhausted your patience. Here's how you can stay sane and happy as you care for... Continue Reading

6 Things to Never Say to a Recovering Alcoholic

By Dominica Applegate Dominica Applegate has worked in the mental health field for 12 years before launching her own business as a writer. She earned her Master's in Counseling from Liberty Universit

Some well-meaning remarks can actually offend or even trigger a recovering alcoholic. Instead, encourage those in recovery by a... Continue Reading

person holding a glass heart

5 Most Encouraging Things You Can Say to an Addict

By Dominica Applegate Dominica Applegate has worked in the mental health field for 12 years before launching her own business as a writer. She earned her Master's in Counseling from Liberty Universit

It’s not always easy to know what to say to encourage a recovering addict. Continue Reading

sober friends

3 Attributes to Look for in a Sober Friend

By Elizabeth Seward

Someone who doesn't just talk the talk but who also walks the walk. Continue Reading

What Not To Do: Damaging "Helping" Behaviors That Hurt the Person Struggling with Addiction

By Audrey Beim

You may have the best intentions in the world, but these actions make more trouble than good. Continue Reading

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