Helping someone you love
Worried about a partner, child, parent or friend? You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Is it an emergency?
- Overdose, unresponsive or not breathing: call 911 now. Give naloxone (Narcan) if you have it.
- Talking about suicide or in crisis: call or text 988, any time. You can call for someone else.
- Needs detox tonight: see 24/7 detox and help now.
How to talk to them
- Choose the moment. When they’re sober and you’re both calm, not during a fight or while they’re using.
- Start with care. “I love you and I’m worried about you” lands better than “You have a problem.”
- Be specific. Name what you’ve seen: missed work, the drive home last week, how the kids reacted.
- Offer one next step. “Will you talk to a counselor with me?” or “I found a program; can we call together?”
- Listen, and expect a “no” at first. Keep the door open. Many people say yes on a later try.
- Protect yourself. Setting boundaries (no money for alcohol, no driving the kids) isn’t giving up on them.
Options you can offer
If it’s a teenager
Support for you
- Al-Anon: free groups for families and friends of people who drink.
- Nar-Anon: free groups for families and friends of people who use drugs.
- SMART Recovery Family & Friends: a science-based alternative, in person and online.
- Family counseling near you.
- Sobriety stories: real people from Colorado, in their own words.
Paying for treatment
Most treatment programs take insurance, and many take Colorado Medicaid (Health First Colorado): for example, most detox programs. Sober living is usually paid out of pocket; see what it costs. You can also call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (free, 24/7) for help finding care.
Common questions from families
How do I get my loved one to accept help?
Pick a calm moment when they are sober, say what you’ve noticed and that you care, and offer one concrete next step (a call, an assessment, a program). Approaches like CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) teach families to do this and often work better than confrontation. A professional interventionist can help you plan.
Can I force an adult into treatment in Colorado?
In limited situations, Colorado law allows involuntary commitment for substance use when a person is a danger to themselves or others, or gravely disabled. It goes through the courts and is a last resort. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911; for a mental health crisis, call or text 988.
What if my loved one is a teenager?
Look for programs that serve teens: on Step One, 9 IOP programs, 19 counselors and 2 residential programs list teens (13–17). A pediatrician or school counselor can also help with an assessment.
Where can I get support for myself?
Al-Anon and Nar-Anon run free groups for families and friends of people who drink or use drugs. SMART Recovery Family & Friends offers a science-based option. Family counseling helps the whole household.
General information to help you find care, not medical or legal advice. Editorial policy.
