Helping a Loved One Struggling with Addiction: A Guide for Family Members
If you have a loved one struggling with addiction, you are not alone. Addiction affects not only the person suffering from it, but also their family members and friends. It can be incredibly difficult to watch someone you care about spiral into a destructive pattern of substance abuse. However, there are steps you can take to help your loved one overcome their addiction and regain control of their life. In this guide, we will explore some strategies for supporting a loved one struggling with addiction.
Educate Yourself
The first step in helping a loved one with addiction is to educate yourself about the nature of addiction and its effects on the mind and body. Learn about the types of substances your loved one is using and how they impact the brain and behavior. This will help you better understand your loved one's perspective and behaviors, and allow you to approach them with greater empathy and understanding.
Seek Professional Help
Addiction is a complex disease, and professional help is often necessary for recovery. Encourage your loved one to seek out professional treatment, such as therapy, rehab, or a support group. Offer to assist them in finding and attending appointments, and be there to support them throughout the recovery process.
Practice Mindfulness and Self-Care
Seeing a loved one struggle with addiction can be incredibly stressful and emotionally draining. To prevent burnout, it is important to practice self-care and mindfulness. This can include engaging in activities you enjoy, seeking out support from friends and family members, and practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga. By taking care of yourself, you will be better equipped to support your loved one.
Set Boundaries
It is important to set boundaries with a loved one struggling with addiction. This can mean taking a break from communication if necessary or refusing to enable their behavior by covering up for them or lending them money. While it may be difficult to set these boundaries, they are crucial for your own well-being and for encouraging your loved one to seek help.
Encourage Them to Find Purpose and Meaning
One of the keys to overcoming addiction is finding purpose and meaning in life. Encourage your loved one to explore their passions and interests, and to make positive changes in their life by pursuing goals and dreams. By helping them find purpose and meaning, you can provide a sense of hope and motivation that can aid in their recovery.
Helping a loved one struggling with addiction can be one of the most difficult and emotional experiences a person can go through. However, with the right approach, it is possible to provide meaningful support and guidance to your loved one in their journey to recovery. By educating yourself, seeking professional help, practicing self-care, setting boundaries, and encouraging them to find purpose and meaning, you can help your loved one overcome their addiction and reclaim their life. Remember, recovery is a journey, and your ongoing support and encouragement will be crucial in helping your loved one stay on the path to healing.
What is the difference among practitioners who might be involved with me or my loved one?
Psychiatrist* (MD or DO) - A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can diagnose, prescribe medications for psychiatric (substance abuse and mental health) issues and counsel patients. Psychiatrists are licensed through the state in which they practice.
Psychiatric Physician Assistant* (PA) - A psychiatric physician assistant works under the license of a doctor and can diagnose, prescribe medications and provide counseling to their patients. Physician assistants are licensed through the state in which they practice.
Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner* (NP) - A psychiatric nurse practitioner can diagnose and counsel patients. Many can prescribe psychiatric medications, but some cannot (depends on state). Nurse practitioners are licensed through the state in which they practice.
Primary Care Physician/Family Doctor/other Doctor (MD or DO) - Any medical doctor can prescribe psychiatric medications although seeking a psychiatric specialist may be beneficial for long-term management. Medical doctors are licensed through the state in which they practice.
* The professions listed above are considered to be medical practices and they are THE ONLY professions on this list who can prescribe medications. However, they do not always provide traditional counseling sessions. Please check with your provider.
Psychologist (PsyD) - A psychologist is a doctoral-level practitioner who can provide comprehensive evaluation and testing for most mental health disorders. They can also diagnose and counsel clients. Psychologists typically specialize in specific disorders (i.e. addiction, depression, trauma, etc.) Psychologists are licensed through the state in which they practice.
Clinical Social Worker (MSW) - A clinical social worker is a master-level practitioner who can diagnose and counsel clients. They can provide counseling upon completion of their masters, but they must work under another practitioner until they complete the minimum 2-year requirement to become licensed. Clinical social workers typically specialize in specific disorders (i.e. addiction, depression, trauma, etc.) Clinical social work licenses are granted by each state. Common licenses for clinical social workers include LCSW and LMSW.
Mental Health Counselors (MHC) - A mental health counselor is a master-level practitioner who can diagnose and counsel clients. They can provide counseling upon completion of their masters, but they must work under another practitioner until they complete the minimum 2-3 year requirement to become licensed. Mental health counselors typically specialize in specific disorders (i.e. addiction, depression, trauma, etc.) Mental health licenses are granted by each state. Common licenses for mental health counselors are LMHC and LPC.
Marriage and Family Therapists (MMFT) - A marriage and family therapist is a master-level practitioner who can diagnose and counsel clients. They can provide counseling upon completion of their masters, but they must work under another practitioner until they complete the minimum 2-3 year requirement to become licensed. Marriage and family therapists typically specialize in specific disorders (i.e. addiction, depression, trauma, etc.) but will treat the family or couple. Marriage and family therapy licenses are granted by each state. A common license for marriage and family therapists is LMFT.
Pastoral or Church Counselor - Often affiliated with a faith-based denomination, pastoral counselors blend lived experience with training in counseling and religious teachings. By combining more than one degree, these individuals may hold counseling credentials described elsewhere on this list as well as hold a Masters (M.Div.) or Doctorate in Divinity (D.Div.). Often co-located in church or religious institutions, families can expect emotional support in a care setting with additional resources.
Spiritual Counselor/Spiritual Life Coach- Not necessarily affiliated with a faith-based denomination, spiritual counselors help individuals establish an understanding of their spiritual beliefs and seek a deeper connection with their spiritual side. They may additionally hold a therapeutic counseling credential. Alternatively, these counselors and coaches may have been certified by a private organization after completing a training course. There is a wide variety of training available.
Credentialed Addiction Counselors - Credentialed addiction counselors have completed specific training to provide counseling services to people struggling with addiction. Although they may have a related bachelors or masters degree in a counseling field, there are credentials that do not require a degree of any kind. Addiction counselor titles and credentialing vary widely from state to state in both education and experience and are most commonly recognized by the term “addiction counselor” somewhere in the title. Common credentials include CADC, CAC, CAP, and NCAC.
Peer Support Specialist - Peer support specialists are usually people in recovery themselves who have completed specific training through their state or certifying body to provide support to those in addiction treatment or early recovery programs. Although peer support specialists may have bachelors, masters, or doctoral degrees, there is no degree requirement for this position.
Case Manager - Case managers are individuals who provide specific services to those in addiction treatment or early recovery by assisting them in completing their recommendations upon discharge from treatment. Common duties can include making appointments, applying for services, assisting in locating community support meetings, monitoring drug and alcohol screenings, and acting as liaisons between care providers. Although case managers may have bachelors or masters degrees, there is no specific degree requirement to perform case management services.
Interventionists - Interventionists are people who assist families to motivate a person for addiction treatment. There is no specific degree requirement for interventionists and no state- specific licensure. However, there are some certifying organizations for interventionists. Interventionists typically follow a specific modality. Common modalities are Johnson, CRAFT, Family Systemic Intervention, Love First, ARISE, and others.
Sober Escorts - Sober escorts are individuals who provide companionship and accountability to an addicted person who is traveling. Peer support specialists, case managers, sober companions and sober coaches could each act as a sober escort, however, there is no formal training or certification specific to this position. Training and behavioral expectations for a sober escort are specific to the organization with whom they are employed.
Sober Companions - Sober companions are individuals who provide companionship and accountability to an addicted person by spending time with them or living with them. Peer support specialists, case managers, sober escorts and sober coaches can each act as a sober companion. However, there is no formal training or certification specific to this position. Training and behavioral expectations for a sober companion are specific to the organization with whom they are employed.
Recovery Coaches/Recovery Specialist - Recovery coaches receive training and credentials from private organizations. While Peer Support Specialists are often affiliated with a treatment provider, recovery coaches and recovery specialists are affiliated with private entities or independent consultants. While the training varies, recovery coaches and recovery specialists will work with individuals establishing early sobriety. As such, they will help an individual build and maintain sobriety goals, incorporate 12-step recovery, and liaison with care providers and sometimes family. Most credentials will require training on ethics, relapse prevention, and crisis management.
For more resources and support, join the Family Recovery Collective.
