Family & Friends

Drug and alcohol problems can affect every one of us regardless of age, sex, race, marital status, place of residence, income level, or lifestyle. You may have a problem with drugs or alcohol, if: 

• You can’t predict whether or not you will use drugs or get drunk
• You believe that you need to drink and/or use drugs in order to have fun
• You turn to alcohol and/or drugs after a confrontation or argument, or to relieve uncomfortable feelings
• You need to drink more or use more drugs to get the same effect as previously
• You drink and/or use drugs alone
• You have periods of memory loss
• You have trouble at work or in school because of drinking or drug use
• You make promises to yourself or others that you’ll stop getting drunk or using drugs but are unable to keep them
• You feel alone, scared, miserable, and depressed

• You can’t predict whether or not you will use drugs or get drunk
• You believe that you need to drink and/or use drugs in order to have fun
• You turn to alcohol and/or drugs after a confrontation or argument, or to relieve uncomfortable feelings
• You need to drink more or use more drugs to get the same effect as previously
• You drink and/or use drugs alone
• You have periods of memory loss
• You have trouble at work or in school because of drinking or drug use
• You make promises to yourself or others that you’ll stop getting drunk or using drugs but are unable to keep them
• You feel alone, scared, miserable, and depressed

If any of the above are true, you may have a problem. To get help, please, contact us at (617) 445-1123 Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. 

Adapted from JUST THE FACTS, published by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Support from family and friends is crucial to successful addiction treatment. Building stable, healthy relationships that can support treatment goals is essential for long-term recovery. Friends and family who commit to supporting a loved one through recovery will want to learn how to address common challenges, what to expect at each stage of recovery, and available resources for support. One of the most important things a loved one can do is to educate themself about addiction. 

For most people, family is the primary source of attachment, nurturing, and socialization. Family input into treatment ensures plans address the specific needs of the patient and their family. Input from family and friends also offers insight into substance misuse history and potential resources for aftercare. Support can range from actively participating in a loved one’s treatment to simply listening without judgement. It is important to avoid accusations or rehash past choices. Recovery is a life-long journey with many bumps in the road. 

If your family member is 18 or older, they must consent in order for you to be involved in treatment planning. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) prohibits clinical staff from sharing treatment information without written consent. This does not prohibit friends and family from sharing information they think may be important for a patient’s treatment and recovery with providers who are treating the patient. Patients may choose to release as much or as little information about their diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment plan as they wish with friends and family who are supporting their recovery. 

Family and friends can play a vital role in helping a loved one stay focused on recovery and wellness goals. Here are some suggestions for supporting and encouraging recovery:  

• Know your loved one’s goals and acknowledge progress  
• Offer to go with a loved one to meetings  
• Participate in parts of the treatment plan and/or family therapy 

Support from friends and family can help patients navigate challenges and rebound from setbacks. Here are some suggestions for supporting accountability:   

• Set clear expectations, boundaries, and consequences around potential challenges  
• Agree to regular check-ins about progress on recovery goals  
• Encourage your loved one to seek additional support when challenges arise 

Family and friends can offer significant support by ensuring communal spaces and activities are recovery friendly.   

• Organize sober social gatherings or agree to a substance free home  
• Commit to productive methods for working through challenges  
• Help identify potential risks and plan for setbacks 

For other organizations’ resources about substance use disorder, visit: 

• Start Your Recovery  
• Recovery Research Institute 
• Department of Public Health 
• Partnership to End Addiction  
• Help Guide 

For information on how to prevent and avoid opioid overdose, go to:

• Opioid Overdose 
• How to Prevent Opioid Overdose 
• Prevention of Opioid Overdose 

For information about Substance Use Prevention for Parents, go to:

• Mass.gov 
• Samhsa.gov 
• Nih.gov