What Does NOT Work

• Ultimatums without follow-through
• Screaming, shaming, or threatening
• Enabling — paying bills, making excuses, removing consequences
• Waiting for “rock bottom” (that concept is a myth — people can die before hitting it)

What Actually Helps

• Set boundaries and keep them. “I love you and I will not give you money for rent while you are using.”
• Stop managing consequences. Let the natural results of addiction happen — missed work, legal trouble, lost relationships
• Educate yourself. Addiction is a brain condition, not a moral failure. See How Addiction Hijacks Your Thinking
• Get your own support. Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, CRAFT method therapy, or individual counseling for yourself
• Keep the door open. Let them know treatment is available when they are ready. Have a plan ready to go

The CRAFT Approach

Community Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) is an evidence-based method that teaches families to change their interactions in ways that make treatment more appealing. It has a 64-74% success rate in getting loved ones into treatment — compared to 30% for traditional interventions.

Have Narcan Ready

If your loved one uses opioids, keep naloxone (Narcan) in your home. You may need it. This is not enabling — it is keeping them alive long enough for recovery to become possible.