Expert Resources for Supporting Loved Ones with Addiction
Discover expert insights and practical guidance from clinicians, researchers, and specialists to help parents, families and professionals support loved ones and community members with substance use disorder and addiction.
Bipolar disorder is a complex mental health condition marked by extreme mood swings. Integrated treatment addressing both bipolar and substance use is key to helping loved one cope with the challenges of these disorders.
The link between panic attacks and substance use is complex and often co-occur as part of other mental health conditions. By providing consistent support and encouragement, you can play a vital role in your loved one's journey toward recovery.
The Behavioral Health Network and Directory Improvement Act would strengthen network adequacy standards and directory accuracy requirements for mental health and addiction provider networks.
Trauma can feel like a powerful wind, and can leave a person feeling broken and lost. When someone is hurting like that, it’s not uncommon to turn to anything that can make the pain go away, even for just a little while. That’s where substances come in.
COVID flexibilities allowing buprenorphine prescribing without first requiring an in-person exam are set to expire. The TREATS Act would make these flexibilities permanent to preserve expanded treatment access.
When we talk about harm reduction, we are not asking our loved ones to use substances less or to stop altogether; rather, we want them to be safe. Having these conversations can be difficult, but communication strategies like the Information Sandwich can help.
Developed in Switzerland, the Bernese Method allows your loved one to continue using their opioid of choice at first, while adding in small, increasing doses of buprenorphine at the same time. This gradual approach has led to promising results, as patients report the process to be more manageable and less overwhelming.
Stimulants, which include cocaine and amphetamines, speed up the body’s system, which increases blood pressure and heart rate. This can result in serious health issues, and they are often involved in overdoses.
Opioids have been involved in most overdoses in the U.S. over the past several years. These include heroin, morphine, prescription opioids and synthetic opioids like fentanyl. While you may wish that your loved one not use opioids at all, if they do, here are some harm reduction strategies for opioid use that you can share with them to reduce their risk of illness and death.
Regular drinking can have serious health consequences, including the risk of several kinds of cancer. You may wish that your loved one not drink at all, but if they do use alcohol, occasionally or frequently, here are some strategies you can share with them to reduce the risks associated with use.
Dabbing is a method of consuming marijuana in a concentrated form. Referred to as “dabs,” these marijuana concentrates usually look like dark brown or yellow-colored wax and can feel very sticky and gummy. Marijuana dabs are used by vaporizing the concentrates on a hot surface and inhaling the resulting fumes. Slang terms for dabs include butane hash oil, honey oil, budder, crumble and shatter.
It can be hard to know how best support and care for an adult child. There is no playbook. It can sometimes be more challenging if they are not living at home, especially when you receive that panicked phone call they need help. While there are no one-size-fits-all answers to these concerns, we offer some suggestions as to ways you can maintain positive relationships with your adult children.
The SAFE in Recovery Act would make care more accessible for parents with SUD, prevent undue family separation, and ensure effective treatment and wraparound services are available to families.
Concerns about marijuana being laced with fentanyl are mostly untrue. Public health experts agree that the real danger of fentanyl comes from fake pills and drugs like heroin and cocaine, not marijuana.
In recent years, edible products containing THC, flavored alcoholic seltzers, and nicotine vapes are marketed to young people with sweet, fruity, and minty flavors. Companies pay influencers and celebrities to endorse them. Plus, the discreet packaging makes it easy to hide from adults.
Having co-occurring depression and substance use can make both conditions worse and harder to treat. A loved one may use substances to cope with their depression, but this can lead to using more and more of the substance to get relief.
This website uses cookies. We use cookies and similar technologies to give
you the best experience. By using this website, you accept our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
