SUBSTANCE USE
RECOVERY SUPPORT

HERITAGE HEALTH RECOVERY

Education

Signs of Addiction

People with substance use and behavior addictions may be aware of their problem but not able to stop even if they want and try to. The addiction may cause physical and psychological problems as well as interpersonal problems such as with family members and friends or at work.

Symptoms of substance use disorder are grouped in four categories:

Impaired control: the experience of a craving or strong urge to use the substance; desire or failed attempts to cut down or control substance use.
Social problems: substance use causes failure to complete major tasks at work, school or home; social, work or leisure activities may be cut back or given up entirely.
Dangerous use: substance is used in unsafe settings; continued use despite known problems.
Drug effects: tolerance (need for larger amounts to get the same effect); withdrawal symptoms (different for each substance)

Find Out More

Resources for Families

How to help a friend of family member

Some suggestions to get started:

Learn all that you can about alcohol and drug dependence and addiction.
Speak up and offer your support. Talk to the person about your concerns, and offer your help and support, including your willingness to go with them and get help. Like other chronic diseases, the earlier addiction is treated, the better.
Express love and concern. Focus the conversation on specific behaviors and avoid name-calling, which may cause the person to shut down.
Do not expect the person to change without help. Treatment, support, and new coping skills are needed to overcome addiction.
Support recovery as an ongoing process: once your friend or family member is receiving treatment, or going to meetings, remain involved. The goal is to let them know you care and are available when they need someone in their corner.

Some things to avoid:

Avoid lectures, threats, bribes, or emotional appeals, which can worsen shame and lead to isolation or the same compulsion to use.
Do not cover up, lie, or make excuses for their behavior; open and honest communication is vital for people with SUD to get the help they deserve.
Avoid confrontations with someone who is intoxicated; they will likely not be able to have meaningful or rational conversation and could escalate to violence.
Do your best to not feel guilty for their behavior; people with substance use disorder are suffering from an illness and, like other forms of disease, it is not caused by any one person or action.
Do not join them; drinking or using alongside someone with SUD wil not only them but also you.

How to talk to someone

Taking Care of Yourself

Find Al-Annon Support

Support Groups

Find a support group

Talking with people dealing with similar issues can help alot. Since they've "been there" and are doing the work to heal and recover, they can be a great support system.

There are national and local groups you can search for. Many have in-person and online meetings. These groups include:

How to Cope

Has it gotten harder to get through each day? If you're having issues with mental health, drugs, or alcohol or waiting for all treatment to start, here are some small steps you can take.

Reach out if you're in crisis

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. You'll be able to speak with trained crisis counselor any time day or night.

Accept where you are now

Know that where you are is okay. Healing isn't a straight line - there will be ups and downs along the way. Speak to yourself with kindness, as though you're speaking to a friend. Try some of the things below to help your body and mind. Taking care of yourself is healing yourself. Self care is different for everyone, so you may have to try a few things before finding what works for you.

Take care of your body

Get enough sleep - if you can, stick to a regular schedule
If it's safe, spend time outside
Play sports you enjoy or other types of exercise - even if its just stretching or walking

Take care of your mind

Write or draw your feelings
Take a few breaths to calm your mind and slow your heart rate
Take a break from news or social media if it causes you stress
Explore your interests and hobbies
If you can, follow a regular schedule each day and build in time to take breaks
Celebrate large and small successes.

Connect with people for support

When you feel ready, think about asking for help
Join a support group or connect with an online community that's a safe place
Talk to people who care about you and won't judge you - and be open to their advice
If you're in a safe relationship, be open with your partner about what your going through
Get involved with a sports team, school activity, or a religious or spiritual organziation
Volunteer for a cause you care about

For more information visit www.Samhsa.gov

Signs of Needing Help

How to ask for help

SUBSTANCE USE RECOVERY SUPPORT

Education

Impaired control: the experience of a craving or strong urge to use the substance; desire or failed attempts to cut down or control substance use.

Social problems: substance use causes failure to complete major tasks at work, school or home; social, work or leisure activities may be cut back or given up entirely.

Dangerous use: substance is used in unsafe settings; continued use despite known problems.

Drug effects: tolerance (need for larger amounts to get the same effect); withdrawal symptoms (different for each substance)

Resources for Families

How to help a friend of family member Some suggestions to get started:

Learn all that you can about alcohol and drug dependence and addiction.

Speak up and offer your support. Talk to the person about your concerns, and offer your help and support, including your willingness to go with them and get help. Like other chronic diseases, the earlier addiction is treated, the better.

Express love and concern. Focus the conversation on specific behaviors and avoid name-calling, which may cause the person to shut down.

Do not expect the person to change without help. Treatment, support, and new coping skills are needed to overcome addiction.

Support recovery as an ongoing process: once your friend or family member is receiving treatment, or going to meetings, remain involved. The goal is to let them know you care and are available when they need someone in their corner.

​

Some things to avoid:

Avoid lectures, threats, bribes, or emotional appeals, which can worsen shame and lead to isolation or the same compulsion to use.

Do not cover up, lie, or make excuses for their behavior; open and honest communication is vital for people with SUD to get the help they deserve.

Avoid confrontations with someone who is intoxicated; they will likely not be able to have meaningful or rational conversation and could escalate to violence.

Do your best to not feel guilty for their behavior; people with substance use disorder are suffering from an illness and, like other forms of disease, it is not caused by any one person or action.

Do not join them; drinking or using alongside someone with SUD wil not only them but also you.

Support Groups

​

Find a support group Talking with people dealing with similar issues can help alot. Since they've "been there" and are doing the work to heal and recover, they can be a great support system.

​

There are national and local groups you can search for. Many have in-person and online meetings. These groups include:

​

​

How to Cope

Has it gotten harder to get through each day? If you're having issues with mental health, drugs, or alcohol or waiting for all treatment to start, here are some small steps you can take.

​

​Reach out if you're in crisis

​If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. You'll be able to speak with trained crisis counselor any time day or night.

​

Accept where you are now

​

Take care of your body

Get enough sleep - if you can, stick to a regular schedule

If it's safe, spend time outside

Play sports you enjoy or other types of exercise - even if its just stretching or walking

​

Take care of your mind

Write or draw your feelings

Take a few breaths to calm your mind and slow your heart rate

Take a break from news or social media if it causes you stress

Explore your interests and hobbies

If you can, follow a regular schedule each day and build in time to take breaks

Celebrate large and small successes.

​

Connect with people for support

When you feel ready, think about asking for help

Join a support group or connect with an online community that's a safe place

Talk to people who care about you and won't judge you - and be open to their advice

If you're in a safe relationship, be open with your partner about what your going through

Get involved with a sports team, school activity, or a religious or spiritual organziation

Volunteer for a cause you care about

​

For more information visit www.Samhsa.gov

SUBSTANCE USE
RECOVERY SUPPORT

How to help a friend of family member

Some suggestions to get started:

Find a support group

Talking with people dealing with similar issues can help alot. Since they've "been there" and are doing the work to heal and recover, they can be a great support system.

Reach out if you're in crisis

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. You'll be able to speak with trained crisis counselor any time day or night.