DO'S

Educate Yourself

Take the time to learn about addiction through research and reading. Becoming more educated on the topic of addiction will allow you to better understand what your loved one is feeling – and what he or she has gone through in active addiction – and what to expect in early recovery.

Communicate

Honesty is crucial – even if it’s difficult or negative. Opening up the conversation is better than saying nothing at all.

Connect

Find a local support group for families, friends or spouses of addiction where you’re able to open up about what you’re feeling and thinking when your loved one comes home from rehab.

You’ve seen it: the changes, the lies, the spiral.
You’re watching someone you care about disappear into addiction, and you’re scared. Rightfully so. Sometimes the heart-to-heart works, but often, it barely scratches the surface. Denial runs deep. That’s where an intervention comes in.

Let’s break down what it actually is, when to do it, and how to make it count.

What is an Intervention?

Well, first of all, it’s not some shouty, dramatic scene like you’d see on reality TV.

Addiction is a disease—but everyone around it catches the fallout.
 It breaks trust. Erodes connection. And often leaves a mess behind that feels impossible to clean up. Whether you're the one in recovery, or someone who’s been hurt by it all—it’s okay to be unsure about how to fix things.

The truth is: relationships can be rebuilt. But not overnight. It takes time, honesty, boundaries, and a whole lot of patience.

If you’re in recovery

This part’s for you—the addict in recovery.