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My loved one is in recovery
Recovery can bring relief and hope, alongside uncertainty. It's natural to feel cautious, or to wonder where you fit in now.
Understanding what's happening
Recovery looks different for different people. It may involve treatment, mutual-aid groups, medication, counselling or other changes. Trust is often rebuilt gradually, and families have their own adjustment to make too.
Things to consider
- You can be supportive without monitoring or managing their recovery.
- Old hurts don't disappear overnight. It's okay to need time.
- Celebrating progress matters, but try not to place all your hope on any single milestone.
- Your own support remains important during recovery, not only during crisis.
Possible next steps
- Read 'Supporting someone in recovery'.
- Talk openly about what kind of support they would find helpful.
- Keep some time and energy for your own life and relationships.
- Consider continuing with your own support group or counselling.
Read more
Supporting someone in recovery
How to be supportive without taking responsibility for someone else's recovery.
Read Understanding · 2 min readUnderstanding different recovery pathways
There is no single route to recovery. Here are some of the options people take.
Read Direction · 2 min readNavigating dishonesty and broken trust
Why dishonesty often accompanies addiction, and how trust can be rebuilt over time.
ReadTrusted UK support
SMART Recovery UK: Family & Friends
Details checked Oct 2026SMART Recovery runs science-informed mutual-aid meetings. It also offers meetings and resources for family and friends of people with addictive behaviours.
- Who they help:
- Families, Partners, Friends
- Type of support:
- Support groups
- Coverage:
- UK-wide
- Availability:
- Family & Friends meetings run online and in person. Use the meeting finder on the SMART Recovery website.
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
Many family groups welcome people whose loved one is in recovery. The experience of others who have been through this stage can be valuable.
If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999. Addiction & Us is not an emergency service.