It is crazy and overwhelming when we learn a loved one’s use is problematic. So many thoughts and questions start racing racing racing. Curious to know, where did you first turn to gain more knowledge and education?
When you first learned about your loved one's substance use, where did you turn for knowledge & education?
erica
#2
Great question @katie! It took me years to learn about my brothers substance use, I wasn’t really aware of it until I was in high school/college. I looked to the internet. That’s why I’m so happy to be part of this community where we can share our knowledge with each other!
Ginny
#3
First place I looked for knowledge was from professionals working with my son. Then other mothers and families in similar situations. I’ve done my part in finding books, working on supportive vocabulary, and reaching out for help from my support network (and this site) to get the best knowledge and education. I also look for evidence-based information so I know that what I’m looking at is backed by research!
katie
#4
I was literally typing full sentences into my search bar hoping something would turn up. I wish I could find my search history from the early days of trying to find answers for myself - asking such specific & desperate questions hoping THE GOOGLE would help me.
(Now, Village is a Godsend. 
You guys are actually here to hear & answer questions in real time!)
Dean_Acton
#5
My fiance told me the first night we hangout before we even started dating that she was a recovering addict. At that point I didn’t really think much if it, super naive. After couple months, I started noticing things that ended up being signs of relapse. So the first thing I did was talk to her Mom about it, she’s been dealing with it for years. She told how to protect myself and my money, something generally stressed. After that I started to get more emotionally involved in the recovery community and research like @Erica and took to Google. Researched everything I could think of and followed links down a rabbit hole for hours and hours. And now I find myself here, which I am tremendously grateful for
Kiz
#8
I initially spoke to my partners family members and then researched everything I could on-line. Through the internet I managed to find a local support group which helped my now husband a lot. It’s knowing you’re not alone, as the addict and as the loved one of an addict that makes all the difference.
feeling alone is the worst and somehow it can just creep up on you