FOR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Caring about someone can leave you with a lot of questions.

Caring about someone can leave you with a lot of questions.

You may know that someone you care about is struggling with alcohol or drugs. Or you may only have a feeling that something isn’t right.


You may have tried talking, helping, setting limits, giving another chance, or stepping away. Often the hardest part is not caring enough — it’s knowing what might actually help.


You don’t have to have the situation figured out before we talk.

CARING AND MANAGING

Supporting someone and managing their recovery are not the same thing.

Supporting someone and managing their recovery are not the same thing.

When you’re worried about someone, it can become difficult to know what belongs to you and what belongs to them.


You may find yourself watching, checking, questioning, covering for them, making arrangements, or trying to prevent the next problem.


Some involvement may be helpful. Some may leave everyone exhausted.


We can look at what is happening, what you can realistically influence, and where clearer boundaries or different kinds of support might help.


You can care deeply without carrying all of it.

MAKING SENSE OF THE OPTIONS

It can be hard to know what kind of help makes sense.

It can be hard to know what kind of help makes sense.

Treatment may be part of the conversation. So might counselling, recovery housing, peer support, medical care, recovery coaching, or some combination of these.


Families are often trying to understand the differences while also dealing with something difficult at home.


I can help you look at the options, understand what each kind of support can — and cannot — provide, and think through what might fit the situation you’re dealing with.


My role isn’t to steer you toward a particular program.

WHAT WE CAN LOOK AT

Sometimes a clearer view helps.

Sometimes a clearer view helps.

What you’re seeing

Looking at what has changed, what concerns you, and what you actually know — rather than what you fear might be happening.

How to talk about it

Thinking through difficult conversations without trying to script or control the other person’s response.

Treatment and other options

Understanding what kinds of help exist and what may be appropriate for the situation.

What happens afterward

Thinking beyond the immediate problem — including returning home from treatment, ongoing support, relationships and everyday life.

You can talk to someone even if they aren’t ready to.

Support doesn’t have to become a long-term arrangement.

Support doesn’t have to become a long-term arrangement.

You don’t need the other person’s agreement to have a conversation about what’s happening.


We can talk about what you’re seeing, what you’ve already tried, what options may exist, and what might be useful for you to do — or not do — from here.


The initial conversation is free.