08/31/2026
If you're living with someone who is struggling with addiction and still actively using their substance (alcohol or other drugs) or doing the behaviour (shopping, gambling), how can you help?
It's a question I'm asked every day.
You cannot stop someone from using.
But you can decide what is allowed to happen inside your home.
Here are a few things to start doing immediately:
1. Stop arguing about whether they have a problem.
If you're arguing about whether they have a problem, you already have enough information.
The conversation is no longer:
“Do you have an addiction?”
The conversation is:
“What are you willing to do about it?”
2. Make recovery the requirement.
Promises don’t count.
Intentions don’t count.
“I’ll try harder” doesn’t count.
Recovery requires action, and a structured plan of action to follow EVERY DAY.
3. Stop providing a safe place for addiction to live.
Your home is for people pursuing recovery.
Not perfection.
Not promises.
Recovery.
If they want support, provide support.
If they want to continue using/doing, they are choosing a path that cannot continue under your roof.
That isn’t punishment or abandonment.
That’s reality.
If you’re living with an addicted spouse, child, or loved one - and have no idea where to start - comment FAMILY and we’ll show you what support is available.
Meanwhile, use the airplane analogy to take care of YOU first ❣
