Top Things to Do in Addiction Support

addiction support

Loving someone with an addiction can feel overwhelming, especially when you can’t exactly “force” them into going to rehab. Although your loved one’s decision to start rehab is out of your control, there are plenty of things within your control. The small, everyday things can feel insignificant, but they’re great ways to empower yourself in managing life with addiction.

Your life doesn’t end when you care for someone with an addiction. So, let’s investigate the question: How can you support a loved one with an addiction while also empowering yourself?

Our certified addiction counselors and specialists recommend the following steps:

  1. Saving non-emergency contacts. 
  1. Carrying Narcan and learning how to administer it. 
  1. Setting and maintaining firm boundaries. 
  1. Educating yourself on the science of addiction as a chronic disease. 
  1. Practicing self-preservation for your mind, body, and spirit.

Let’s explore these in more depth.

1. Save Non-Emergency Contacts

We’ve been taught since preschool to call 9.1.1 for emergencies. And while it’s definitely important to have, there are additional, non-emergency numbers you can save in the case of a crisis.

Non-emergency contacts are contacts that either know the person with the addiction directly or can aid without calling emergency services. These can include both people and facilities/organizations. Here are a few examples:

  • Personal Contact: This type of non-emergency contact is any specific person with a connection to your loved one that you feel can be helpful in emergencies. These can include a trusted family member, a religious figure (like a pastor, Rabbi, clergy member, monk, etc.), a roommate, an AA or NA sponsor, or a therapist.
  • Group Contact: This type of non-emergency contact can be any organization that can provide additional support, such as your local community service board (CSB), social services, or a crisis counselor center.

We also recommend saving additional hotlines, such as the National Suicide Prevention Line, Veterans Crisis Line, Domestic Abuse Line, and others you may feel are appropriate. You can find a list of crisis hotlines here. When a situation arises, the last thing you want to do is frantically Google phone numbers, so it’s best to have these contacts handy as a precaution.

2. Carrying Narcan

Narcan—also known as Naloxone—is a readily available, life-saving medication used for opioid overdose. The medicine works by reversing the effects of the opioid, blocking the opioid receptors in the brain, and “waking up” the person from their stupor.

However, it’s important to remember that Narcan is NOT an end-all-be-all-cure to an overdose. Think of it like an EpiPen, which stalls the immediate fatal effects of an allergic reaction but doesn’t cure the person from the reaction itself. Narcan is the same way: it stalls the fatal effects but doesn’t cure the overdose, so be sure to call emergency services still immediately.

You can find Narcan and trainings at these resources:

  • REVIVE! Opioid Overdose and Naloxone Education (OONE) program. 
  • Local Virginia health departments.  
  • Over-the-counter purchases at most pharmacies. 

Remember, too, that knowing this can save anyone’s life, not just your loved one’s, so it’s important to be prepared.

3. Setting & Maintaining Firm Boundaries

Boundaries are a tricky line, where it’s easy to get caught up in the gray area between tough love and enabling. You may focus more on “saying the right thing” to get your loved one into rehab, but where do you draw the line? How do you protect yourself before reaching the breaking point?

It’s crucial to remember that by not protecting your emotional health or communicating your limits, you’ll hurt yourself more than your loved one. Setting boundaries can look like:

  • Saying “no” to uncomfortable requests. Refusing to drive your loved one to a questionable location or refusing to let them borrow specific items can be a boundary.
  • Refusing to support their harmful habits. This can include not bringing alcohol to their house or sending money for unknown reasons.
  • Physically distancing yourself. Not inviting your loved one to your child’s birthday party, canceling a visit, or even temporarily moving out is a way to set a physical boundary.

Don’t forget that it’s never too late to set a boundary, and it’s important that your loved one feels the consequences of your decisions to fully understand how serious you are about their disease.

4. Learn About Addiction

Knowledge is key, and another way to empower yourself is to learn about the science of addiction as a complex brain disorder. Knowing this can equip you with a better understanding of the new person your loved one has become and their motivations or behaviors.

Learning about addiction is just an online search away, but other examples can be going to webinars, attending community events and panels, or calling helplines. Master Center has a free resources page for family and friends on how to learn more about addiction with books, podcasts, webinars, and more on various topics.

You can also explore various treatment options available. There may come a time when your person is ready and, when they are, you want to have a good idea of where they can find help. This can look like collecting rehab center brochures, saving center addresses and phone numbers, and having emails ready. You can learn more in our rehab options and cost of rehab blogs as well.

5. Practice Self-Preservation

We talk about self-care a lot, but self-preservation is crucial to addiction support, especially in the face of fear. You cannot be productive when you’re not taking your health into consideration. This concept can look different for everyone, but our licensed therapists recommend the following:

  • Join local support groups to alleviate feelings of isolation. We also offer a free community support group database to help you find local resources and programs, but there are plenty of support services at libraries, churches, and more. 
  • Build a routine that strengthens your mind, body, and spirit. Whether that’s using mental health apps, starting a new diet and exercise regimen, or picking up an old hobby, it’s important you build a routine that helps you be at your best for yourself and your loved one. 

Feel free to explore more about self-care in our webinar recording on the topic on our Family & Friends program resource page.

You can’t force someone into treatment, but you can do everything in your control to support them, protect your peace, and be ready for whatever the day may bring. Using these strategies is a great start to managing your life with someone with an addiction. Never forget that you can take back control, too.

About Master Center for Addiction Medicine

Master Center for Addiction Medicine is a groundbreaking addiction treatment program headquartered in Glen Allen, Va. Based on a vision of comprehensive outpatient care, Master Center was launched in 2016 and now includes locations throughout the Commonwealth.

The Master Center offers a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach rarely seen in the outpatient setting, staffed by experienced addiction physicians, psychiatrists, counselors, therapists, and peer recovery coaches. This evidence-based approach, both reliable and flexible, is meant to provide a physician-oriented response to addiction that can work seamlessly in the mainstream system of healthcare.

Give us a call today at 804.332.5950 to schedule an appointment or learn more about us.