Understanding Addiction: A Guide for Families

If your family member is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, you may feel a range of emotions, such as anger, frustration, and sadness. You may want to help, but you may feel that you don't know how. The challenges of supporting a family member with addiction can feel overwhelming at times, but you’re not alone. Many people struggle with addiction each year in the U.S. In 2019, 14.5 million Americans aged 12 and older had an alcohol use disorder (AUD), while 8.3 million people aged 12 and older had an illicit drug use disorder.