Addiction services are vital for the tens of millions of people living with substance use disorders in the United States alone. However, for the best chance of a successful recovery, those who suffer from addiction also need the support and understanding of the people they're closest to. Here are a few of the best tips for supporting someone you care about on their recovery journey. 

Support Tips if You Have Loved Ones Recovering From Addiction

1. Attend Meetings

Community support is important for those experiencing addiction and is often lost when they remove themselves from triggering social circles. Help them find an addiction services support group they feel comfortable with and ask if they'd like you to attend meetings with them. Then, find and attend your own support group for people who are supporting loved ones with addictions and attend those meetings too.

2. Set Firm Boundaries

While your love for your addicted friend or family member may be unconditional, certain types of support should be conditional. If you are providing physical or financial support for your loved one, make it clear that you are supporting their recovery efforts only. You are not required to and should not financially support their addiction. Be sure to stick to the conditions you set forth.

3. Skip Manipulation Tactics

When a loved one is abusing drugs or alcohol, you may feel desperate to get them to stop. It can become tempting to resort to emotional manipulation. These tactics might include insisting that if they loved you, they would stop using. Manipulation is not helpful and only adds more stress to the situation. As a result, your loved one may use more to cope with that stress or become more secretive to avoid additional shame.

4. Protect Yourself

If you let your own life fall by the wayside while trying to support someone else, you'll end up being unable to help at all. Never set aside your own physical, mental, or financial wellbeing in an effort to rescue another person from themselves, no matter how much you care about them. Fulfill your own needs first, so that you're giving support from a place of wholeness and security. 

If your loved one is in need of addiction services, count on Tug River Health Association in Gary, WV for help. These compassionate medical professionals offer convenient and affordable addiction treatment, including medication when necessary. Visit their website or call (304) 448-2101 for more information about their income-based pricing model or to schedule an appointment.