Struggling with addiction is one of the most difficult hardships one can face, yet those who support loved ones going through this process endure the same highs and lows as their loved one who suffers from addiction, but from a slightly different vantage point. While there is no guarantee that anything you do will help “cure” your loved one, there are some things you can do to provide a positive, supportive environment to help them in their quest to achieve lasting recovery.

Intervene as soon as possible. Some say that someone who suffers from addiction has to hit rock bottom in order to understand the harm they are doing to themselves and others, in order to truly start to change their ways…this is a myth. The earlier that addiction treatment is sought, the easier the transition back to sobriety will be and the smaller the chance of relapse. Therefore, the best time that you can seek to intervene is as soon as you notice that substance use could potentially become abuse, before a full-fledged addiction takes hold. Express your concerns in a non-threatening, concerned tone, and suggest preventive addiction therapy, or another form of treatment, to help the problem.

Stop enabling your loved one. If addiction is already a reality, make sure your behaviors aren’t making the situation any worse. The following are helpful ways to avoid enabling behaviors: don’t make a habit of lending money or paying bills for your loved one; refrain from making excuses for his or her behavior (even to yourself); set limits and boundaries for behaviors you will deal with and stick to them; and don’t fight over his or her behaviors. While these are all very hard things to do, they will help to ensure a stable environment for both you and your loved one suffering from addiction.

Take care of yourself! This is one of those instances where you have to help yourself in order to help those that you love, and this advice is two-fold. First, make sure you set an example by staying clean and sober as well. If you keep alcohol in the house for special occasions, you are creating a tempting and easily accessible trap for a spouse who is a recovering alcoholic. Secondly, you can’t help anyone else if you break down emotionally or physically, so make sure to proactively manage stress. It’s very likely that in the time you’ve been witnessing this addiction, you’ve suffered emotionally, financially, and even physically. If necessary, seek counseling and support to help you deal with the stress. Counselors can also teach you the steps you should take to help your loved one stay on the road to recovery.

Recovering from addiction is difficult, but it’s never impossible. Informed, patient support from friends and loved ones can be a key to successful recovery for anyone seeking to recover, whether one is just beginning to show signs of a problem, or whether one has struggled with addiction for decades. By knowing when to intervene and what to say, you can help make a difference for your loved one!

MEDIA ADVISORY/PHOTO OP                                                            Contact: Liz White, 401.831.3700

For immediate release: September 8, 2010

Rhode Island to Host 8th Annual Rally for Recovery, Welcome Gil Kerlikowske, White House Director of National Drug Control Policy, to State

PROVIDENCE, RI - As part of its Recovery Month celebration, the Rhode Island Recovery Month Coalition and Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities, and Hospitals (BHDDH) will welcome Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy as keynote speaker at the state’s 8th annual Rhode Island Rally for Recovery.

The annual Rally is Rhode Island’s celebration of National Recovery Month and those who have achieved long-term recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.  The event is supported and attended by thousands of allies and supporters, including mental health, developmental disability, and addiction treatment providers, the Rhode Island National Guard, and elected officials.

Over fifty organizations from across Rhode Island will be on site to raise awareness about drug and alcohol addiction, mental illness, developmental disabilities, and the journey of recovery.  The event will also feature two musical sets from the 88th Army Band (National Guard), music from NGP, and performances from the Tim Taylor Blues Band and The Recovery All-Stars, featuring Doreen Collins.

The Rally for Recovery is a free, family-friendly festival with great activities for kids, including arts and crafts, face painting, a reptile show, toys and balloons, and more.  For more information, visit www.rally4recovery.com.

WHO: R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy

Ivette Torres, Associate Director of Consumer Affairs, SAMHSA/CSAT

U.S. Representative Jim Langevin, 2nd Congressional District, State of Rhode Island

The Honorable Donald L. Carcieri, Governor, State of Rhode Island

The Honorable Elizabeth Roberts, Lieutenant Governor, State of Rhode Island

The Honorable Frank Caprio, General Treasurer, State of Rhode Island

Mayor David N. Cicilline, City of Providence

Mayor Scott Avedisian, City of Warwick

Mayor Allan Fung, City of Cranston

Craig Stenning, Director, Dept. of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals

Major General Robert T. Bray, Adjutant General of Rhode Island

Dannie Greenberg, Faces and Voices of Recovery

WHEN: Saturday, September 11, 2010

2:00 PM - 7:00 PM

WHERE: Roger Williams Memorial National Park

Corner of Canal Street and Park Row

Providence, Rhode Island

** MEMBERS OF THE PRESS SHOULD PROCEED TO THE INFORMATION TENT NEXT TO THE STAGE **