About us News & stories Contact us Open Main Menu Open Search Modal Donate Supporting someone with a drug or alcohol addiction Being a carer for someone with a drug or alcohol addiction can be rewarding but it is often very challenging too. Having an addiction can affect every aspect of someone’s life as well as the lives of the people around them. As a carer for someone with an addiction, it is normal to experience a wide range of different emotions including anger, frustration and fear. You may not even think of yourself as a carer at all. You may just think of it as ‘being there’ for a friend or relative. But if your support allows them to manage their everyday needs and stay safe, then you are their carer. You don’t even have to see them in person; you could provide all your support at the other end of the phone and still count as a carer. It is also common for other people to not understand or appreciate your caring role too. They may not realise that the person you care for needs support at all, as addictions are often hidden from others. The person with the addiction may even say they don’t want or need your help. It can therefore sometimes feel like a thankless task, but remember the difference you are making. The person you care for has a much greater chance of recovering from their addiction with support than they do alone. We provide some advice and guidance below for how to navigate your caring role. Helping someone with a drug or alcohol addiction Dealing with emergencies Getting help with your finances You can keep working if you’d like to Managing changes to your relationships You need to look after yourself too Online support Carer's assessments Everyday tasks Financial support Legal matters Looking after yourself Planning ahead Support entitlements Working and caring Young carers Is this page useful? Is this page useful? Yes No Send feedback Carers First About us Complaints Contact us Local support Online support Working for us Terms & privacy Accessibility statement Cookies Privacy notice Policies Follow us Facebook Twitter Instagram linkedin © 2021 Carers First We are registered as a charity in England and Wales (1085430). Carers First is also a Company Limited by Guarantee, registered at Companies House (04144820). Registered office: Unit 4 Michael Gill Building, Tolgate Lane, Rochester, Kent, England, ME2 4TG Site by Mentor Digital