What should my family do?

Families can struggle in secret for years. It can be scary to get help, but the sooner the person using drink or drugs gets help, the easier it will be to help them.

• Don’t feel guilty or ashamed about the person with the drug or alcohol problem - they just need help. Alcoholism and drug addiction are like illnesses which are nobody’s fault.
• Don’t try to argue with someone when he or she is using alcohol or drugs. They might not be thinking clearly. Speak to them when they seem calm and able to listen – perhaps write them a list of what is okay and what’s not.
• Some people use drink or drugs more when they are sad or stressed, but even if you do everything you can to make them happy, it still won’t cure them. And no one’s drink or drug problem is caused by you arguing with them or upsetting them.
• You have no control over someone else’s drinking or drug mis-use. It is up to them to get treatment.