Addiction is challenging not only for the person concerned but also for the loved ones, family members and friends. If someone we care about is using addictive substances, we may feel so many ways: scared, anxious, angry, sad, helpless, lonely. Not only do we see the person we love suffering, but we are often hurt ourselves. It is quite common not to be sure whether to try to force a loved one into treatment or to patiently await their own decision to seek treatment. Sometimes we don't know whether to continue to support the addict or, on the contrary, to let them "hit bottom." It can also be quite difficult to understand what the addict is going through when we have never experienced such addiction ourselves.

At the same time, the treatment period for the addict can also be burdensome to their family members and other dear ones, because it is generally necessary to work on the recovery not only of the addict, but also on the family dynamic and the addict’s relationships with others. It may be necessary to agree upon changes and measures that could make it both easier for the addict to abstain and return to normal life and for the family members and friends to find a healthier approach to the addict’s situation and to their own situation, too.

In the whole complex process of getting well, it is especially important that we do not forget ourselves and know to seek out sources of help and support for ourselves as well.