Watching someone you care about struggle with addiction is heartbreaking. You may feel powerless, unsure of what to say or do, and fearful for their future. The good news is there are ways you can make a positive difference, whether you’re supporting a family member, a friend, or even a co-worker. Learning how to help someone with addiction begins with understanding their struggles, approaching the situation with empathy, and knowing when to step back. Above all, it’s essential to remember you’re not alone in this—help is out there.
Insight Recovery Center offers addiction treatment in Asheville, NC. Call 828.826.1376 today to learn how our comprehensive outpatient treatment programs and medication-assisted treatment can help you, a loved one, a friend, or a co-worker.
Ways to Help Someone Struggling with Addiction
Making the decision to support someone battling addiction is both noble and challenging. Here are clear, actionable steps you can take:
- Educate yourself – Start by learning about addiction itself. Understand that it’s a disease, not a moral failing, and that recovery is a process, not an overnight event. This knowledge can help you approach your loved one with compassion rather than judgment.
- Practice active listening – Often, people with addiction feel isolated and misunderstood. Give them the space to talk about their feelings and struggles without interrupting or offering immediate solutions. Sometimes, just being heard can be a huge relief for them.
- Set boundaries – While it’s natural to want to help, enabling addictive behaviors by giving them money, covering for missed responsibilities, or ignoring the issue does more harm than good. Setting clear boundaries shows you care about their well-being and expect accountability.
- Express concern without shame – When addressing addiction, avoid being confrontational or accusatory. Use “I” statements rather than “you” statements—for example, “I’m worried about you because I’ve noticed you seem upset lately,” rather than, “You’re ruining your life.”
- Encourage treatment – Gently suggest professional help and offer to help research treatment options. Addiction recovery is rarely achieved alone. Programs like those at Insight Recovery Center in Asheville, NC, provide essential tools for long-term success.
- Help with logistics – Whether it’s driving them to an appointment, helping them verify insurance, or sitting with them as they make an initial call to a recovery center, these small acts of support can remove barriers that might otherwise feel overwhelming.
- Focus on emotional support – Recovery is a long road, and setbacks are common. Remind your loved one of their strengths and the progress they’ve made. Celebrate their milestones, no matter how small.
- Take care of yourself – Supporting someone with addiction is emotionally taxing. Build your own support system, whether it’s through friends, support groups, or counseling, to ensure you’re in a healthy place to help others.
- Avoid ultimatums (unless necessary) – Threats and ultimatums can deepen resentment and push someone further away. Only set ultimatums when it’s about maintaining your own safety or well-being.
- Model healthy behaviors – Show them the benefits of a stable, balanced life. Whether that’s through your self-care practices, hobbies, or relationships, demonstrating that healthy habits lead to happiness can be influential.
By practicing these strategic steps, you can provide strategic and compassionate support for a family member, friend, or co-worker.
Family, Friends, or Co-workers? Tailoring Your Approach
Your role in someone’s life can shape how you approach helping them recover, as relationships differ in their dynamics and responsibilities.
Helping a Family Member
Supporting a family member with addiction can be deeply personal and emotionally intense. You likely see the impact of their addiction not just on themselves but on the entire family unit. It’s important to:
- Keep communication open, but avoid letting the addiction dominate family interactions.
- Consult with professionals who understand the dynamics of addiction in families. Many treatment centers offer family therapy programs to help rebuild trust and establish healthy relationships.
- Strive to separate the individual you love from the disease they are dealing with. Remember, their behavior may be influenced by the addiction, not their true self.
Helping a Friend
Friends often act as a lifeline for people with addiction because they provide an outside perspective that feels less judgmental than family. If your friend is struggling:
- Be honest and authentic in your approach. Show them that your concern comes from a place of love and not criticism.
- Avoid blaming yourself if your friend resists help. Their choices are ultimately their own, and they have to be ready for change.
- Stay patient, but keep the conversation around their health and recovery active. Sometimes, consistent nudges from a friend can make all the difference.
Helping a Co-Worker
It can be tricky to assist a co-worker without crossing professional boundaries, but your support might be the encouragement they need. Keep these tips in mind:
- Look for opportunities to express concern in private and not in front of others.
- Avoid gossiping about their situation with other employees. Confidentiality is key to maintaining their dignity.
- If you’re comfortable, explore workplace-provided support options, such as counseling benefits or employee assistance programs (EAPs).
The nature of your relationship with the person struggling with a substance use disorder calls for tailored strategies. However, the goal is always to steer them toward professional treatment options that can help them achieve recovery.
Let Insight Recovery Center Help You Help a Loved One
Addiction recovery is a complex process, and professional help is often essential. Treatment programs, like those at Insight Recovery Center in Asheville, NC, offer a compassionate and mindful approach to healing. Their comprehensive individualized approaches address not only the addiction but also the underlying emotional and mental challenges that fuel it.
Insight Recovery Center offers a partial hospitalization program (PHP) and intensive outpatient program (IOP), as well as gender-specific women’s rehab and supportive aftercare programs.
If you or someone you love is navigating the difficult path of addiction, don’t wait to seek help. Contact Insight Recovery Center online or call 828.826.1376—we are ready to help you help someone you love.