Supporting Loved Ones with Substance Abuse: Stigma, Prevention, and Recovery Strategies
Recovery from substance use disorders is shaped by stigma, prevention strategies, and the support systems surrounding individuals. This blog examines how different types of stigma affect recovery, highlights research-backed prevention approaches, and offers practical ways to provide support. With understanding and connection, the path to healing becomes clearer and more achievable.
Starting the Conversation About Recovery
Substance use affects not only the individual experiencing it, but also the families, friends, and communities surrounding them. While recovery is possible, it is often complicated by stigma, misunderstandings about prevention, and uncertainty about how to provide meaningful support. Education and connection play critical roles in breaking down these barriers. Family and friends can offer meaningful support while also protecting their own mental and emotional health. This blog explores how stigma influences substance use and recovery, highlights evidence-based prevention approaches, and outlines practical ways loved ones can offer support throughout the recovery process.
Understanding Stigma in Substance Use
Stigma around substance abuse can profoundly impact a person’s life, influencing everything from self-worth to access to care. Different forms of stigma affect individuals in distinct ways, often creating additional barriers in recovery. The three forms of stigma discussed below include self-stigma, perceived stigma, and direct stigma.
Self-stigma is when an individual internalizes negative feelings and beliefs about themselves as a result of identifying with a stigmatized group. This internalized shame can lead people to avoid treatment and withdraw from interpersonal relationships due to fear, guilt, or low self-esteem.
Perceived stigma refers to a person’s belief about how common negative attitudes and behaviors toward their group are in society. Even when stigma is not directly experienced, the expectation of judgement can influence behavior and decision-making.
Direct stigma involves overt discrimination or negative treatment from others. This may include difficulty in obtaining employment, rejection within relationships, limited accessibility to housing, and reduced support or access to appropriate treatment services.
Evidence-Based Prevention Approaches
Some people may assume that prevention only occurs before symptoms begin; however, there are effective ways to prevent further substance misuse even after symptoms are established. Because substance use disorder is a lifelong condition, periods of relapse can occur. Prevention, in this context, focuses more on reducing prevalence and severity rather than eliminating symptoms entirely. Below are several prevention strategies that research has shown effective.
Programs that involve multiple components (community, family, school) have been shown to be effective, especially when these programs illustrate healthy ways of living versus emphasizing what may be dangerous.
Risk-factor based interventions should reflect on the age of the individual. Specifically, early interventions with risk factors have been shown to be much more effective at younger ages in comparison to later in life.
Programs that consider different audiences have shown effectiveness. Examples include adapting to populations with various ethnicities, characteristics, and cultures.
Like mentioned above, substance abuse is a disease that is chronic, therefore programs that are long-term and repetitive in their interventions can be beneficial as well.
The Power of Support in Recovery
Supporting someone through substance use recovery often requires more than encouragement alone. It calls for connection, consistency, and compassion. Different forms of support can play meaningful roles at different stages of healing. Whether through shared lived experiences, family involvement, or structured treatment environments, support systems help individuals feel less alone and more capable of change. Below are several key examples of how support can positively influence recovery.
Peer Support
Peer support is defined as giving and receiving help based on shared experiences. Peer support has been known to help people with various health conditions and has shown effectiveness for behavioral health as well. When peers support one another with substance abuse, it can help build confidence that recovery is possible.
Family Support
Research has indicated individuals with direct support from family members had reduced levels of use, especially those with dual disorders (e.g., Schizophrenia). Examples for family support are financial assistance, general care (cooking and cleaning), assisting with medication, and sharing structured leisure activities such as shopping.
Guidance for Family Members and Friends
While many strategies focus on supporting individuals struggling with substance use, it is equally important to consider the well-being of family members and friends who are closely connected to them. Supporting someone through addiction can be emotionally demanding, and caring for yourself is not only necessary, it is essential. Below are ways to support your loved one while also protecting your own well-being.
Learn about addiction. Gaining a clear understanding of substance use and addiction is an important first step in providing effective and compassionate support to someone you care about.
Practice harm reduction. It isn’t realistic to monitor every action of a loved one struggling with substance use; however, reducing risk where possible can make a difference. Keeping Naloxone (commonly known as Narcan) available can help prevent fatal overdoses.
Set healthy boundaries. Boundaries may include not lending money, choosing not to lie on their behalf, or limiting contact when they are actively using. Setting boundaries helps protect both you and your loved one.
Take care of yourself. Supporting someone with substance use challenges can be exhausting. Prioritizing rest, engaging in hobbies, and seeking therapy or support for yourself are meaningful ways to sustain your own mental and emotional health.
Healing Happens in Connection
Substance abuse recovery is not a linear or isolated journey, and no one should have to navigate it alone. Recovery is deeply influenced by stigma, access to support, and the quality of relationships surrounding someone struggling with substance use. When loved ones lead with understanding, patience, and compassion, they help create a safer environment where healing can feel possible. At the same time, supporting someone with substance abuse can be emotionally exhausting, which is why caring for your own mental health matters just as much. By continuing to educate ourselves, reduce stigma, and seek trauma-informed support, we move closer to a culture that prioritizes substance abuse recovery, dignity, and long-term healing.
If you or someone you love is impacted by substance use, trauma-informed therapy can provide support for both recovery and emotional well-being. Our Winter Park and Orlando area therapists offer compassionate, self-pay substance abuse support. Reach out to explore how we can help.
References
Clark, R. E. (2001). Family Support and Substance Use Outcomes for Persons With Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders. Oxford Academic. https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/article/27/1/93/1828977
Luoma, J. B., Twohig, M. P., Waltz, T., Hayes, S. C., Roget, N., Padilla, M., & Fisher, G. (2007). An investigation of stigma in individuals receiving treatment for substance abuse. Science Direct. Link
Medina-Mora, M. E. (2005). Prevention of substance abuse: a brief overview. National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
Scannell, C. (2021): By helping others we help ourselves: insights from peer support workers in substance use recovery, Advances in Mental Health, DOI: 10.1080/18387357.2021.1995452
Tracy, E. M., Munson, M. R., Peterson, L. T., & Floersch, J. E. (2010). Social Support: A Mixed Blessing for Women in Substance Abuse Treatment. National Institute of Health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2952953/pdf/nihms-236619.pdf
