Entries by Andy Buccaro

How to Help an Addict Without Enabling –  Key Strategies for Support

Helping someone struggling with addiction is never easy.  The emotional toll on loved ones can be overwhelming, especially when trying to find the right balance between offering support and unintentionally enabling their destructive behaviors.  How to help an addict without enabling can be a delicate line to walk, on one hand, you want to help […]

Being Married to an Alcoholic – How to Cope and Heal

Being married to an alcoholic is an emotionally complex and challenging experience that can take a toll on your mental and physical well-being.  The constant uncertainty, stress, and emotional turmoil of living with someone struggling with alcohol addiction can lead to feelings of isolation and frustration. Relationships often feel imbalanced, as the addict’s behavior can […]

Addiction is a Family Disease – 10 Ways Substance Use Disorder Affects Families

Addiction doesn’t happen in isolation—it sends shockwaves through entire families, leaving emotional, financial, and relational turmoil in its wake, showing just how addiction affects families on every level. Why is Addiction a Family Disease? Addiction is called a family disease because it affects not just the person using substances, but everyone close to them. It […]

How to Help an Alcoholic Family Member – 8 Essential Steps

Alcoholism affects millions of families worldwide, with studies showing that almost 19 million children in the U.S. live with at least one parent who struggles with alcohol addiction. To help an alcoholic family member you should offer compassionate support while encouraging treatment and healthy boundaries, all while educating yourself about addiction and prioritizing your own […]

How to Help an Alcoholic Daughter – A Practical Guide for Families

Watching your daughter struggle with alcoholism is heartbreaking and confusing. Knowing how to help an alcoholic daughter starts with understanding that alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic disease that affects the brain, making it difficult for her to control alcohol consumption despite the consequences. Recognizing that AUD is a medical condition, not a moral […]

Children of Alcoholic Parents – What Families Need to Know

Growing up with an alcoholic parent can deeply impact a child’s emotional and psychological well-being. In 2025, it’s estimated that over 11 million children in the United States are living with at least one parent who struggles with alcohol use disorder (AUD) (Source: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism). Children of alcoholic parents often […]

Effects of Drug Addiction on Family Members – 10 Major Effects

Drug addiction doesn’t just affect the individual—it sends shockwaves through entire families.  From emotional distress and broken trust to financial strain and disrupted roles, the fallout can be overwhelming.  This article outlines the far-reaching effects addiction has on family members and offers a path forward through understanding, support, and healing.  If you’re navigating this struggle, […]

Group Therapy for Drug Addiction – A Comprehensive Guide

Recovery can feel like a lonely journey, but group therapy for drug addiction provides a space to connect with others, share experiences, and heal together in a supportive environment. Group therapy for drug addiction is a structured, therapist-led session where participants connect, share experiences, and work on recovery in a safe, supportive environment with others […]

Living with an Alcoholic – Everything You Need to Know

Living with an alcoholic can feel like a never-ending rollercoaster, one moment you’re hopeful, the next you’re overwhelmed. Whether it’s your partner, spouse, or family member, alcoholism doesn’t just affect the person drinking, it affects everyone around them. What is it like to live with an alcoholic? Living with an alcoholic often means navigating emotional […]

How to Help a Family Member with Addiction – 10 Essential Tips

When someone you love is battling addiction, it can leave you feeling helpless, overwhelmed, and unsure of where to begin. With over 48 million Americans struggling with substance use disorders, addiction is not just a personal crisis—it’s a widespread family issue affecting countless households across the country. If you’ve found yourself searching for answers, you’re […]