Supporting a loved one who is experiencing addiction can be a challenging journey. Addiction, whether it involves alcohol, drugs, or other substances, affects not only the individual, but also their family and close relationships. Understanding how to provide the right support without enabling destructive behavior is crucial for the individual’s recovery and the well-being of those around them.
Understanding addiction
Addiction is a chronic disease that affects the brain’s reward system, leading to compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences.1 According to the 2023 United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 48.5 million (16.7%) Americans age 12 and older had a substance use disorder in the past year.2 Drug and alcohol addiction can happen to anyone, regardless of age, race, or background, and its impact on families can be devastating.
Recognizing that addiction is a disease — not a moral failing — is important for offering supportive, nonjudgmental care. Here are some steps you can take to help:
- Educate yourself on addiction. Before you can support someone with a substance use disorder, you must understand the nature of their condition. Learn about the substance they’re using, how addiction works, and the recovery process. Organizations like the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Institute on Drug Abuse provide information on different types of addiction and treatments available.
- Encourage treatment, but don’t force it. It’s natural to want to help your loved one stop their harmful behavior immediately, but recovery is a process that the individual must want for themselves. Instead of demanding immediate action, gently suggest they seek professional help, such as therapy, support groups, or rehabilitation programs. If they resist, remind them that help is available whenever they’re ready.
- Set boundaries. One of the hardest parts of loving someone with an addiction is finding the balance between helping them and protecting your own mental and emotional health. You might set a boundary that you won’t lend money to support their habit, or you may decide not to allow them in your home if they’re under the influence. Clear boundaries help protect you from burnout and reinforce the message that while you love them, you won’t support their addiction.
- Offer emotional support. Addiction often stems from underlying mental health issues like depression, anxiety, or trauma. Let your loved one know you’re there to listen and provide emotional support. Avoid shaming or blaming them for their addiction.
Additional resources
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) — A free, confidential, 24-hour hotline for treatment referral and information (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
- FindTreatment.gov — A confidential and anonymous website to help people find treatment options.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Connect with a counselor if you or someone you know is facing mental health issues, emotional distress, or alcohol or drug use concerns.
Supporting someone with an addiction requires patience, understanding, and emotional strength. By educating yourself, setting boundaries, offering emotional support, and encouraging treatment, you can help your loved one on their path to recovery.
Stay protected: Get your flu, COVID-19, and RSV shots
This winter season, staying healthy is more important than ever. Viruses like the flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause severe illness — especially for older adults, young children, and those with chronic conditions. If you’re an AmeriHealth Caritas DC enrollee, you can get the flu, updated COVID-19, and RSV vaccines at no cost through your primary care provider or local pharmacy.
The flu shot helps prevent common strains of influenza, while the COVID-19 vaccine targets the latest variants of the virus. RSV is a leading cause of respiratory illness in young children and adults older than age 65.3 The RSV vaccine offers protection against illnesses like pneumonia, giving you and your family the best defense against seasonal illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the RSV vaccine for all adults age 75 and older and adults ages 60 – 74 who are at increased risk of severe RSV.4
The CDC also recommends that everyone age 6 months and older receive both the flu vaccine and the updated COVID-19 vaccine, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, or those who might become pregnant in the future.5,6 It is safe to get all three vaccines at the same time.
Staying up to date on vaccines is crucial for safeguarding your health and reducing the spread of illness. Don’t wait until it’s too late — schedule your appointment today! If you need help finding where to get vaccinated, call the AmeriHealth Caritas DC Community Outreach Solutions team at 202-216-2318.
Sources
- “Addiction,” Cleveland Clinic,
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6407-addiction - “Alcohol and Drug Abuse Statistics (Facts About Addiction),” American Addiction Centers, https://americanaddictioncenters.org/addiction-statistics
- “RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus),” Cleveland Clinic,
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/rsv-respiratory-syncytial-virus - “Vaccines for Older Adults,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/vaccines/older-adults.html#:~:text=CDC%20recommends%20an%20RSV%20vaccine,Weakened%20immune%20system - “Who Needs a Flu Vaccine,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/vaccines/vaccinations.html
“Staying up to Date With COVID-19 Vaccines,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
https://www.cdc.gov/covid/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/stay-up-to-date.html
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