How Can I Support My Loved One Struggling with Addiction?

In this inaugural episode of Circle of Chairs, Caroline Beidler dives into the critical topic of family recovery. Addressing frequently asked questions about how to support a loved one struggling with addiction, Caroline emphasizes the importance of family involvement, self-care for supporters, and understanding the normalcy and challenges of addiction. She advocates for reframing how we view our loved ones, recognizing the broad impact of substance use, and the significance of compassionate support. Caroline also highlights that recovery is a journey requiring ongoing support and that change, while challenging, is always possible.00:00 Introduction to Circle of Chairs00:14 Launching the Series: Circle of Chairs Conversations01:49 Family Recovery: Supporting Loved Ones03:06 The Importance of Family Involvement04:03 Self-Care for Families05:23 Normalizing Addiction06:59 Reframing Our Perspective08:33 Beyond Traditional Treatment10:47 Resistance to Change and Relapse13:19 Hope and Healing in Recovery14:33 Conclusion and ResourcesCaroline Beidler, MSW, is an author, speaker, and Managing Editor of Recovery.com, where she combines expert guidance with research to help people find the best path to healing and treatment. Her book, When You Love Someone in Recovery: A Hopeful Guide for Understanding Addiction, was released Spring 2026 with Nelson Books. Drawing from her own recovery journey through addiction, mental health challenges, and trauma, along with training as a clinical mental health provider and addiction recovery expert, Caroline is passionate about guiding you into seasons of greater healing. Learn more about her books here. Subscribe to her Circle of Chairs Substack community at carolinebeidler.substack.com