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I'm struggling with guilt, anger or exhaustion
Guilt, anger and exhaustion are very common among people who love someone with an addiction. Feeling them doesn't make you a bad parent, partner, sibling or friend.
Understanding what's happening
Living alongside addiction can mean constant worry, broken sleep, financial pressure and repeated disappointment. Over time this takes a real toll on your physical and emotional health. Your wellbeing matters in its own right, not only because of how it affects your loved one.
Things to consider
- You did not cause someone else's addiction, and you can't cure it by trying harder.
- Anger often sits alongside love and fear. Both can be true at once.
- Isolation tends to make things heavier. Many people find relief simply in being understood.
- If you're having thoughts of harming yourself, please contact Samaritans on 116 123 or call 999 if you are in danger.
Possible next steps
- Work through the self-care checklist and pick one thing to protect this week.
- Tell one trusted person how you're really doing.
- Contact your GP if low mood, anxiety or sleep problems are affecting daily life.
- Try a family support group, in person or online.
Read more
The emotional impact on loved ones
Naming the feelings that so many families carry.
Read Understanding · 2 min readShame, guilt and stigma
Why so many families feel ashamed, and why it doesn't have to stay that way.
Read Direction · 2 min readLooking after your own wellbeing
Why your wellbeing matters too, and practical ways to protect it.
ReadTrusted UK support
Samaritans
Details checked Oct 2026Confidential emotional support for anyone who is struggling to cope, including people worried about someone else. You don't have to be suicidal to call.
- Who they help:
- Anyone
- Type of support:
- Helpline
- Coverage:
- UK-wide
- Availability:
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Shout
Details checked Oct 2026A free, confidential text support service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope.
- Who they help:
- Anyone
- Type of support:
- Text or chat
- Coverage:
- UK-wide
- Availability:
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Al-Anon Family Groups UK & Eire
Details checked Oct 2026Support groups for anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else's drinking. Meetings are held in person and online, and there is a confidential helpline.
- Who they help:
- Families, Partners, Parents, Friends
- Type of support:
- Support groups, Helpline
- Coverage:
- UK and Republic of Ireland
- Availability:
- Helpline 10am to 10pm, every day of the year. The helpline cannot return calls, so please don't leave a message.
Families Anonymous
Details checked Oct 2026Self-help groups for families and friends of people who use drugs or have related behavioural problems. Meetings run in person and online.
- Who they help:
- Families, Parents, Partners, Friends
- Type of support:
- Support groups, Helpline
- Coverage:
- UK-wide
- Availability:
- Helpline staffed daily, 1pm to 4pm and 6pm to 9pm
Finding further human support
Samaritans and Shout offer emotional support at any time of day or night, for anything that is weighing on you.
If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999. Addiction & Us is not an emergency service.