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a few helpful tips

How you can help your loved one

In a given year, there are 23.5 million people over the age of 12 who need treatment for substance use disorder, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. So remember - you are not alone. More importantly, your loved one's addiction is nobody's fault, and is not a moral failing or character flaw.

Rather, addiction is a treatable chronic illness, just like diabetes or heart disease, that has rewired the reward center of their brain. This rewiring tells the brain that using a particular substance such as opioids or alcohol is a behavior that should be remembered and repeated. Check out this helpful article to understand more about the science of addiction.

The first step in supporting your loved one is to continue to love them unconditionally, and point your hurt or anger at the illness rather than the person. Feel empowered to have open and honest conversations about their substance use, and also hold them accountable for their actions. Most importantly, don't feel guilty about prioritizing your own health and wellness. To best help your loved one, you need to first get help for yourself.

Your loved one may not be ready for treatment right now, and that is okay. In the meantime, get educated about harm & stigma reduction, and encourage your loved one to use safely and always have Naloxone (Narcan) on hand. Learn more about how to reduce the shame and stigma of addiction here

• Understand that your loved one's addiction is nobody's fault
• Start thinking about their addiction as a chronic illness, just like diabetes
• Remember that you need and deserve to prioritize your own health & wellness
• Educate yourself on stigma reduction, and encourage your loved one to use safely