Watching a friend or loved one struggle with substance misuse and addiction can be an emotionally painful experience. You may try everything in your power to help a family member with drug addiction, but it often feels as if it isn’t enough. Supporting someone you love through the recovery process is a difficult journey. Family members who are unequipped to deal with an addicted person often unknowingly act in counterproductive and enabling ways. Learning more about addiction and taking care of your own mental health is crucial to being an active ally for your loved one’s treatment. Fortunately, many resources are available to help family members and other loved ones of someone with a drug addiction. Support groups, reading material and therapy sessions can give families a better understanding of addiction, how to provide support and how to ensure their own mental health remains a priority.