Free Resources For Loved Ones of Those Struggling with Substance use DISORDER
As someone who has faced alcohol use disorder head-on, I understand the profound impact this disorder has, not only on the individual, but also on their loved ones. My husband, Evan, has felt the intense fear and despair of watching a loved one struggle with alcohol use disorder as he supported me through my recovery.
In my ongoing commitment to supporting not only those facing substance use challenges, but also the loved ones standing by their side, I am proud to share this FREE Resource Page to help the Loved Ones of Those Struggling with Substance Use Disorder.
You ARe Not Alone
You are not alone on this journey, and these resources are here to guide you with compassion and care. Come back regularly—as even more helpful and supportive content will be continuously updated and added to this very special resource page.
Kristin 💜x
The Impact of Kristin’s Resource Page ❤️
Why Loved Ones Need Support Too
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Loved ones are often the first to suffer the effects of someone struggling with substance use disorder.
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Loved ones often feel confused and alone and don’t know how to help, leaving them isolated and afraid.
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Most loved ones have never faced these situations before and find them distressing and hard to deal with.
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Loved ones may find it difficult talking to ‘outsiders’ who don’t understand about what’s happening in their lives.
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Loved ones may not know how to communicate with their family member suffering from substance use disorder.
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Loved ones may crave support and guidance but don’t know where to turn or who to talk to which increases their stress and anxiety.
What DO You Need?
FIND YOUR RESOURCE
Organizations TO HELP THE LOVED ONES
OF THOSE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
ORGANIZATION:
CMC: Foundation for Change
CMC: Foundation for Change is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing evidence-based tools to everyone who cares about a person struggling with substance use.
Recovery Research Institute
dedicated to the advancement of substance use disorder treatment and recovery.
PodcastS TO HELP THE LOVED ONES
OF THOSE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
PODCAST:
RETHINKING ROCK BOTTOM
Hosts Dr. Carrie Wilkens and Rev. Jan Brown explore the complicated and often life-altering experience of loving someone struggling with substance use.
This podcast sheds light on the impact shame and stigma have on those struggling and the people who care about them, providing insights that can help everyone involved find the belonging they need.
PODCAST:
Living While Loving Your Child Through alcohol use disorder Podcast
Heather Ross is the mother of a child who struggled with alcohol use disorder, a Certified Parent Support Coach, Invitation to Change Certified, CRAFT trained, and the host of the popular podcast called Living While Loving Your Child Through Alcohol Use Disorder Podcast.
This podcast is a wonderful, supportive resource for parents providing helpful and insightful ideas and viewpoints.
PODCAST:
ANDREW HUBERMAN’s "What Alcohol Does to Your Body, Brain & Health"
Regularly ranked as the #1 health podcast in the world, Dr. Huberman discusses science and science-based tools for everyday life.
In this episode, explore how alcohol impacts the brain and body, from its metabolism as a toxin to its effects on neuronal function and overall health. Discover the genetic predispositions to alcohol misuse, and learn science-backed strategies to mitigate hangovers, helping listeners make informed health decisions.
PODCAST:
DUPE WITHERICK’s "THRIVE ALCOHOL FREE" PODCAST
GUEST EPISODE FEATURING KRISTIN HORSTMAN!
Ever find yourself stuck in the cycle of craving, chaos, and overthinking—wondering if peace is even possible without alcohol? This episode is your gentle invitation to explore what healing really looks like… beyond just willpower.
I’m joined by the incredible Kristin Horstman—Gray Area Drinking Master Coach, Health Coach, speaker, blogger, ZeroProof Experiences facilitator, and family support advocate.Together, we explore the emotional, physical, and nervous system roots of alcohol cravings—and how small shifts can lead to profound calm.
✨ Inside this episode:
Why cravings aren’t just “in your head”—and how your body plays a starring role
The magic of therapy, small-group connection, and being truly seen
Loving yourself through transition and building nurturing routines
How nature, puppies, and fresh starts can become unlikely tools for healing
Films TO HELP THE LOVED ONES
OF THOSE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
FILM:
‘Keep Coming Back’ by Mark Rosman
The film’s mission is to help and change the lives of parents and other loved ones of people struggling with substance use disorder.
The ‘Keep Coming Back’ film is inspired by Mark Rosman’s firsthand experience with his daughter's intense struggle against substance misuse—a battle that lasted seven long years. Through this film, Mark shifts the focus of the narrative from the sufferer to the often-overlooked heartaches and struggles of their loved ones.
GUIDES TO HELP THE LOVED ONES
OF THOSE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
Heather Ross’ “enabling Guide”
A Guide for Parents Who Want to Help Their Child But Aren't Sure How
The guide will give you 3 key tools:
A new understanding of "enabling" so you feel confident about how you choose to help your child
Decrease the chaos in your home and increase your connection with your child because connection = opportunities to influence.
3 science-backed strategies to help your child be open to and ready for change even if they say they don't want help.
JEFF JONES’ The Family Recovery Solution “assessment Guide”
Identify where you are in the family substance use jOURNEY—and discover what to do next
Beyond Traditional Methods
The Family Recovery Solution offers a complement/alternative to conventional approaches, providing proactive family education and engagement strategies.
Their methods focus on long-term, sustainable change, involving the whole family in the recovery process and the rebuilding of trust.
INVITATION TO CHANGE (ITC) SHORT GUIDE - IN SPANISH!
La Invitación al Cambio: Una Breve Guía
Los creadores del ITC y la Guía Breve saben que es posible que ya hayas intentado muchas cosas para ayudar a tu ser querido (o cliente) y que puedas sentirte impotente frente al uso de sustancias de tu hijo, pareja o amigo. No hay una solución rápida ni una respuesta fácil al problema, pero al desarrollar tu conjunto de herramientas de ayuda a través de una nueva Comprensión, Conciencia y Acción, el ITC te lleva un paso adelante: hacia la empatía, la conexión, el cuidado de ti mismo y de tu ser querido, y el avance en el proceso.
La Invitación al Cambio: Una Guía Breve es una oferta de CMC:Foundation for Change, una organización sin fines de lucro 501(c)(3) dedicada a apoyar a las familias y seres queridos de personas que luchan contra el uso de sustancias. Todas las ganancias de la venta de este libro de trabajo nos ayudarán a proporcionar recursos gratuitos y de bajo costo a las comunidades que los necesitan.
Support GroupS:
Invitation to Change Support groups
ITC Community Groups are designed for people who care about someone struggling with substance misuse. These support groups give you space to express your thoughts, feelings, and struggles as you try to help your loved one, while actively teaching you ITC skills that we hope can improve your situation with your loved one who is struggling with substances (or other compulsive behaviors). This includes tools for understanding, communicating, and creating an environment that is supportive of change—all while making time for practice and self-compassion for group members.
Support Groups TO HELP THE LOVED ONES
OF THOSE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
BLOG:
’Don’t Take It Personally’
If you are a family member of someone misusing substances, you have probably heard suggestions that include distancing yourself, using tough love, or detaching until your loved one bottoms out and decides to change. On one hand, given how awful you feel (e.g., constantly angry, tired, scared), these recommendations can make a lot of sense. On the other hand, the odds are that you really want to help your loved one. And when you try to detach or distance yourself, you still feel angry, tired and scared, maybe even more scared because now you have so little contact!
BLOGS TO HELP THE LOVED ONES
OF THOSE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
BLOG:
’Don’t I JUST NEED TO CONFRONT THE PROBLEM?’
When someone you love is using substances or engaging in a host of other risky behaviors, it’s natural to feel afraid, angry, betrayed, ashamed, and confused. It’s also normal to find yourself expressing these emotions by yelling, lecturing, shutting down, and maybe even throwing a few things.
EVENTS TO HELP THE LOVED ONES
OF THOSE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
EVENTS:
by CMC: Foundation for Change
Workshops to the loved ones of those struggling with substance use disorder.
HELPING THE LOVED ONES
OF THOSE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
OVERCOME STIGMA
CMC: Foundation for Change
One Size Does Not Fit All: Thoughts from Heather Ross
Eleanor Health
Language Matters: Focused on substance use disorder
Podcast: Living While Loving Your Child Through Addiction
EP81: “The Enabler” Stigmatized with Guest Andrea Seydel from Saving You is Killing Me
CMC: Foundation for Change
The power of language in reducing stigma
Podcast: Living While Loving Your Child Through Addiction
EP67: Are You More Influenced by Stigma Than Science?
Podcast: Living While Loving Your Child Through Addiction
EP111: THE TRUTH ABOUT CODEPENDENCY AND ENABLING
Recovery Research Institute: “ADDICTIONARY”
If we want addiction destigmatized, we need a language that's unified.
Help From Kristin
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Help From Kristin ♥︎
KRISTIN’s Bookshop
HELPFUL BLOG ARTICLES FROM KRISTIN
HELPFUL VIDEOS FROM Kristin
If you have a loved one struggling with substance use, these videos are for you.🫶
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