Back in the summer of 2021, The Sober Curator did a survey of our monthly readers (over 5,000 of you!) and discovered that nearly 20% of you are coming to our website because you have a family member or loved one battling addiction and/or substance abuse disorder. We realized we needed to start creating more content and resources just for you.
Addiction often wreaks havoc in the lives of family members and loved ones of the addict. If someone you love is struggling with alcohol or drug addiction, you are not alone, and there is hope for recovery in your own life. We have put together a list of mutual support groups and other resources specifically designed for family members and friends.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that works to improve behavioral health and decrease substance abuse and mental illness in the nation. There are a number of resources available on their website including downloadable publications for families and loved ones: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Mutual Support Groups:
Al-Anon Family Groups – Help and hope for family and friends of alcoholics.
Al-Anon for Parents – Al-Anon also offers support groups specifically for parents in some locations.
Alateen (part of the Al-Anon fellowship) – A program for adolescent members of families affected by alcohol and drug addiction.
Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA)/Dysfunctional Families – A program for adult children who struggle with the effects of alcoholism or other family dysfunction, including the effects of alcohol and drug addiction.
Find a Meeting: Adult Children of Alcoholics (ACA)/Dysfunctional Families
Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDA) – A fellowship of men and women whose common purpose is to develop healthy relationships.
Faces & Voices of Recovery – The nation’s leading recovery advocacy organization promoting policies that are grounded in science, compassion, health, and human rights.
Families Anonymous (FA) – A 12-step fellowship for family and friends of individuals with drug, alcohol, or related behavioral issues.
Grief Recovery After Substance Passing (GRASP) – A support community for people who have lost someone they love to addiction and overdose.
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation – A variety of resources and support services for families facing alcohol and other drug addiction.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family Support Groups – Support groups for family members of anyone who has experienced the symptoms of a mental health disorder.
Nar-Anon Family Groups – A 12-Step program for the family and friends of people who are addicted to drugs.
Virtual Meetings Nar-Anon Family Groups
Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) – A Christian-run, non-profit organization that provides support for parents who have children with drug and alcohol addiction.
Self-Management and Recovery Training (SMART) Recovery Family & Friends – A science-based program for family members of people living with addiction.
Additional Resources
Melody Beattie books on codependency
Inspiring daily meditations from Al-Anon Family Groups
Speak Out Speak Loud is a space echoing Madonna’s call to “Express yourself!” This is where our readers and contributors take center stage, sharing their transformative sobriety journeys. Often, sobriety uncovers hidden talents, abilities, and new avenues of self-expression. By sharing these stories, we not only facilitate personal healing but also offer hope to those still navigating the path of recovery. So, let’s raise our voices, Speak Out, and Speak Loud! In doing so, we combat the silence that often shrouds addiction, offering solace and inspiration.
We invite you to share your unique expressions of recovery here—be it through videos, poems, art, essays, opinion pieces, or music. We can’t wait to hear from you! Please email us at thesobercurator@gmail.com or DM us on social!
Disclaimer: All opinions expressed in the Speak Out! Speak Loud! Section are solely the opinions of the contributing author of each individual published article and do not reflect the views of The Sober Curator, their respective affiliates, or the companies with which The Sober Curator is affiliated.
The Speak Out! Speak Loud! posts are based upon information the contributing author considers reliable. Still, neither The Sober Curator nor its affiliates, nor the companies with which such participants are affiliated, warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such.
Help is Available
THE SOBER CURATOR RESOURCE GUIDE: At The Sober Curator, we provide high-quality content centered around the vibrant and fulfilling lifestyle of sobriety. While our focus is on the positive aspects of sober living, we also acknowledge that life can present challenges without the aid of alcohol or substances. Coping with these challenges alone can be daunting, which is why we strongly believe in finding recovery within a supportive community because it is the opposite of addiction.
If you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol use disorder, substance use disorder, a co-occurring illness, or a behavioral health disorder, we urge you to seek help. While the task may seem daunting, it’s important to remember that support is readily available and that there are people out there who want to help.
It’s crucial to remain persistent in your search for assistance until you find the right solution for your unique situation. In some cases, it could be a matter of life or death, so it’s essential to never give up on finding the necessary help.
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Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
