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Understanding your options

How to Help a Loved One Get Treatment

Plain-English information summarised from official sources. Not personal medical advice.

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The Short Answer

Helping a loved one with a substance use disorder begin treatment can be a challenging and emotional process. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) emphasizes that addiction is a treatable medical condition, and there are many effective treatment options available. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) adds that recovery is a long-term process that often requires multiple episodes of treatment, and support from family and friends is a valuable part of that journey.

Key Points

  • SAMHSA states that substance use disorder is a treatable condition, and a range of evidence-based options are available, including medication like methadone.
  • NIDA explains that treatment does not have to be voluntary to be effective; pressure from family, employers, or the legal system can motivate someone to enter treatment.
  • The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) recommends having a calm, caring conversation and avoiding confrontation or accusations.
  • SAMHSA's FindTreatment.gov is a confidential resource to help locate treatment providers, including methadone clinics, across the United States.
  • The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, provided by SAMHSA, offers support for both individuals in crisis and their loved ones.
  • NIDA notes that relapses are common and should be seen as a sign to adjust the treatment plan, not as a failure.
  • NIAAA provides a detailed Alcohol Treatment Navigator to help families find quality treatment for alcohol problems.
  • Treatment for opioid use disorder, including the use of methadone, is effective and can improve health and quality of life.

Understanding Substance Use Disorder as a Medical Condition

SAMHSA and NIDA both describe substance use disorder as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that affects a person's behavior and ability to control substance use. While it is a serious condition, it is treatable. As NIDA explains, effective treatments can help manage the condition and improve a person's ability to function.

Understanding that addiction is a medical issue, not a moral failing, can help you approach your loved one with empathy and patience, as recommended by SAMHSA. SAMHSA also notes that medication for opioid use disorder, such as methadone, is an important part of treatment.

Supportive therapy setting; illustrative stock photograph

Starting the Conversation

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) advises using a calm and caring tone when talking to a loved one about their substance use. NIAAA suggests expressing your concern in a non-judgmental way, using specific examples of how the substance use has affected them or others. Avoid blaming, accusing, or using a confrontational tone.

SAMHSA notes that sharing your observations and expressing your desire to help can open the door to a conversation about treatment. The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator offers further guidance on how to have this discussion.

What to Do If They Refuse Treatment

If a loved one is not ready to accept treatment, NIDA points out that you should not give up. NIDA states that treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective, and many people are initially motivated by external factors like family pressure. SAMHSA recommends continuing to offer support and repeating your concern in a loving way.

You can also set healthy boundaries to protect your own well-being. It is important to remember that recovery is a process, and NIDA advises that people often need multiple attempts before they successfully engage in and sustain recovery.

Supportive therapy setting; illustrative stock photograph

Resources and Support for the Family

Supporting a loved one with a substance use disorder can be emotionally taxing. SAMHSA’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides crisis support for individuals and their families. To find treatment options for your loved one, SAMHSA recommends using FindTreatment.gov, a free, confidential resource that lists facilities offering various types of care, including methadone clinics.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) also encourages family members to seek their own support through counseling or support groups, which can provide education and coping strategies.

How Methadone Treatment Fits In

SAMHSA identifies methadone as one of the medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of opioid use disorder. It is dispensed at specialized clinics, often called methadone clinics or opioid treatment programs. SAMHSA explains that this medication, when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies, is a highly effective treatment that can reduce the risk of overdose death, improve social functioning, and increase a person’s ability to engage in long-term recovery.

NIDA notes that medication for opioid use disorder is the standard of care.

Find Treatment by State

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Sources

This guide summarises these official sources. Check them for the latest guidance.

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About This Guide

This guide is general information from official sources, not medical or legal advice. Ask a doctor, your insurer or the program itself about your own situation.

Supportive therapy setting; illustrative stock photograph

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Supportive therapy setting; illustrative stock photograph

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I help someone who will not get treatment?

If someone refuses treatment, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) recommends not to give up. You can continue to express your care and concern, and NIDA notes that treatment does not have to be voluntary to be effective. SAMHSA suggests you can also set healthy boundaries to protect your own well-being and use resources like FindTreatment.gov to learn about available options so that when the person is ready, you can help them take the next step.

How do I talk to a family member about their drinking or drug use?

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) advises using a calm, caring, and non-judgmental tone. Express your concerns with specific examples of how their use has affected them or your relationship. Avoid blaming or accusing. NIAAA also recommends planning what you want to say in advance and choosing a private, quiet time for the conversation. The SAMHSA treatment options page notes that showing you are coming from a place of love can be a powerful motivator.

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