Start With What Your Family Needs Most
Understanding Addiction
Learn what addiction is and how it affects your loved one.
I Need Immediate Help
Access emergency resources and crisis support services.
Supporting Recovery
Practical guidance for helping a loved one through treatment.
Caring for Yourself
Resources to protect your own mental health and well-being.
Your Role in Recovery
Matters
When someone you care about is struggling with addiction, it affects the whole family. Understanding what your loved one is going through — and knowing how to help without losing yourself in the process — is an important part of the recovery journey.
We provide families with the information, guidance, and support they need to navigate this difficult time. From educational resources to family counselling, our team is here to help you play a positive role in your loved one's recovery while caring for your own well-being.
Recovery is stronger when families are supported too. You don't have to navigate this alone.
If someone you love is in crisis, immediate support is available.
Crisis services are confidential and available 24/7. Whether your loved one is experiencing a mental health emergency or a substance-related crisis, trained professionals can provide immediate guidance and help.
Educational Resources for Families
Understanding addiction as a medical condition
How treatment works and what to expect
Setting healthy boundaries
Managing stress and caregiver burnout
How to Support a Loved One in Treatment
Supporting someone through recovery means learning when to step in and when to step back. Our team can help you understand the treatment process, communicate effectively, and create a home environment that supports progress.
- What to expect during treatment
- How to have supportive conversations
- When and how to set boundaries
Information and Guidance
for Families
Warning signs include changes in behaviour, withdrawal from family and friends, neglecting responsibilities, financial problems, and physical signs such as weight loss or poor hygiene. If you are concerned, encouraging them to speak with a healthcare professional is a good first step.
If there is immediate danger, call 911. For mental health or substance-related crises, contact the 988 Suicide Crisis Helpline (call or text 988). Our clinic can also provide guidance during regular hours.
Approach the conversation with care and without judgment. Express your concern using specific examples, listen without lecturing, and offer to help them take the first step — such as booking an appointment or attending a consultation together.
OAT is a medical treatment that uses prescribed medications like methadone, Suboxone®, or Kadian® to reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal. It is safe, evidence-based, and helps patients stabilize so they can focus on recovery.Learn More
With your loved one’s consent, family involvement can be a positive part of recovery. We offer family counselling and can include you in care planning when appropriate. We also respect patient confidentiality at all times.
Setting boundaries is about protecting your own well-being, not punishing your loved one. Our counsellors can help you learn to communicate boundaries clearly and compassionately, in a way that supports both your health and theirs.
We offer family counselling, educational resources, and referrals to community support groups. Organizations such as Al-Anon, Nar-Anon, and SMART Recovery Family & Friends provide peer support for people affected by a loved one’s substance use.
Caregiver burnout is real. Prioritize your own mental health by seeking support — whether through counselling, peer groups, or simply setting aside time for yourself. You cannot support someone else effectively if you are not well.
Relapse is a common part of recovery and does not mean treatment has failed. Encourage your loved one to reconnect with their care team. Our clinic is here to adjust the treatment plan and provide continued support.
We can connect families with local support groups, educational programs, social services, and community organizations across Ontario that assist families affected by addiction.
Use age-appropriate, honest language. Let children know that addiction is an illness, not a choice. Reassure them that they are not to blame and that help is available. Our counsellors can provide guidance on having these conversations.
You are Valued
Road to Recovery is an outpatient opioid detoxification center, with locations across Ontario.
- Confidential care
- Same-day support
- Personalized treatment