Sometimes family members help, rescue, support, or protect their loved one from facing the negative consequences of their substance use. For example, giving them money, lying for them, or paying their bills. These are called “enabling behaviors” or “enabling.”

Wanting to help someone you care about is natural. However, do not let your behaviors prevent them from facing negative consequences. Enabling should be avoided because it can make substance use easier or increase use. In this part, we will help you understand how to avoid enabling. This may allow your loved one to experience negative consequences, which will help them stop using.

Hang in there! This may be hard to imagine, but keep going - you can do this!