Support Each Other

Take Action! Preventing alcohol and other drug problems in your family

Having someone you can count on in your family can make a big difference. Show your love, listen, follow through with promises, and be ready to help when asked — all are ways to develop support in the family. Knowing you can count on your family can mean fewer problems with alcohol and other drugs.

Things You Can Do:

1. Build confidence and self-esteem. Be generous — and genuine — with praise for what family members do well and when they try to do better. Things can't always be perfect. Have realistic expectations and recognize even small achievements.
2. Express your worries about family members in a way that shows you care about the other person's wellbeing and safety.
3. Try to keep things in perspective. When there is a problem, don't be overwhelmed by it. Remember, there's something positive in most situations.
4. Accept and value each member of your family as a unique person. Everyone's different. Encourage differences and avoid making comparisons among family members.
5. Recognize that everyone has an opinion. Young children, teens, parents, grandparents, and family members not living at home can all have something important to contribute.
6. Don't put conditions on your love, by saying, “I'll love you if....” The people in your family need to know that, no matter what they do or say, you'll still love them.
7. Try different ways to show your love and that you care. Give warm hugs and smiles, listen, and take an interest in the activities of others.
8. Look for chances to share activities with individual members of your family, like going to a ball game, going for a swim, baking cookies, walking the dog, going for a bike ride or playing games.
9. When you're under stress, it's OK to ask for help. Give your immediate family, other relatives or friends a chance to offer support. There's often someone to give the support you need.

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