Whether it is with drugs or alcohol, addiction is never easy. If you have a loved one with the disease, you may not know exactly how to support him or her without condoning the harmful behavior, but your support is crucial for your loved one’s recovery. Here are three tips for helping a loved one with addiction.

Seek Help

Unless you happen to be an addiction counselor, you probably don’t have the knowledge to help a friend or family member to navigate addiction. Seeking professional help is the best way you can support your loved one. Research Austin rehab centers to find one that will be a good fit. You can also look for counselors who can help your loved one work on his or her mental health.

Be Patient

Overcoming addiction is a constant struggle, and your loved one may struggle at times. It is important to stay patient and be empathetic towards your friend or family member. While you need to set boundaries so your loved one doesn’t take advantage of you in any way while you are under the influence, you also need to refrain from judging your friend or family member’s decisions. The fact that your loved one is trying to overcome addiction is something to celebrate, not point out what he or she is doing wrong.

Offer a Place To Stay

Addiction causes many people to lose their homes, so if your loved one needs a place to stay after completing rehab, offer him or her your spare bedroom. It’s okay to set rules, and you should both remember that the situation is temporary, but this show of support goes a long way.

Having a loved one who is addicted to any kind of substance is difficult. By using these three tips, you can be supportive of your friend or family member through recovery.