6 Ways to Support Our Loved Ones in Recovery

A Trauma-Informed Approach for Overdose Awareness Month

Every person holds immense value and wisdom to share. Yet for those navigating the challenges of substance use, stigma often overshadows their humanity. Overdose Awareness Month is a time to remember lives lost, uplift those still with us, and strengthen the web of care around our loved ones.

Here are six ways we can walk alongside our family, friends, and neighbors in their journeys—guided by compassion, respect, and a trauma-informed lens.

1. See the Person Beyond the Struggle

When we use language like “addict” or “clean/dirty,” we reduce people to labels. Instead, say “a person living with substance use challenges” or simply “my friend.” Trauma-informed care begins with seeing people as whole human beings, not defined by one part of their story.

2. Listen Without Fixing

Healing often starts with being heard. Instead of rushing to advice or judgment, practice deep listening. Try:

• “What has helped you feel supported before?”

• “I’m here for you, no matter where you’re at.”

The gift of presence often matters more than solutions.

3. Support Choice and Autonomy

Every recovery journey looks different. Some people choose harm reduction, some choose treatment, and some are simply surviving day by day. Trauma-informed support means respecting their choices and empowering them to define what recovery—or stability—means for themselves.

4. Celebrate Small Steps

Recovery is not linear. Progress can be as simple as showing up to a meal, keeping an appointment, or choosing a safer coping strategy. Celebrate those steps. Affirmation builds resilience, while pressure often deepens shame.

5. Advocate for Safe and Welcoming Spaces

We can’t heal in environments where we feel judged or unsafe. Whether it’s at home, in the workplace, or in the community, work to create spaces free of stigma. Advocate for resources like harm reduction programs, peer support, and trauma-informed healthcare that meet people where they are.

6. Learn From Lived Experience

The greatest teachers are those who have walked this path themselves. Listen to peers, elevate their voices, and support organizations that prioritize peer leadership. Their lived wisdom helps us all understand substance use—and recovery—with deeper compassion.

Why This Matters

Overdose Awareness Month is more than remembrance—it’s a call to action. Every one of us has the power to dismantle stigma and replace it with dignity, understanding, and care. By practicing these six approaches, we help create a culture where healing is possible and no one is left behind.

We believe in the resilience and worth of every individual. Together, we can be the bridge that carries compassion into places where it’s most needed.

For a calendar of our groups and activities this month, Click here.