A:If you suspect a loved one has a problem with drugs or alcohol, it is important you urge them to seek help and be careful not to enable their addiction. It is not uncommon for family members to actually cause more harm than good when they lend money to the individual, for example, or when they make excuses for their behavior. Confront your loved one in a gentle way and do not shame them for their struggles. Seeking to understand your loved one without judgment can help them feel safe and give them the push they need to seek help. If your loved one is in denial or refuses to acknowledge an obvious problem, consider staging an intervention with the help of a professional.