Addiction/Substance Misuse

Updated: 02/2023

“You have to have a family of support. It’s all about connection and not about throwing a loved one into rehab with a ‘come back when you have fixed yourself’ attitude typical in our culture. Together we are changing the culture”
– Anne Moss Rogers

This page has support resources for families of those suffering from Substance Use Disorder/Substance Misuse as well as some for those with SUD. Both Virginia area resources since I live in Richmond and national resources as well.

• Peer Recovery Warm Line – Richmond, Virginia, 1-833-473-3782 (1-833-PEERRVA), 8 am-12 am. You don’t have to face this alone. Talk to a peer who has been through what you’ve been through and find treatment resources, recovery support, housing, food, and health resources
• List of warm lines by state– This is a peer-to-peer recovery

Substance Use Disorder (Addiction) National Resources

• CRAFT-based resources – CRAFT = Community Reinforcement and Family Training is intended to help family members of people with a substance use disorder/substance misuse and other addictions (e.g. gambling) learn how to steer their loved ones away from the behavior by changing our communication patterns and understanding their loved ones motivation to use or engage in those behaviors.
  • What is CRAFT?
  • Beyond Addiction: Book for families on how to love and live with a family member who is addicted
  • Book and workbook series for loved ones of those who are addicted or misusing substances
  • Sober Families Podcast– This 5 part audio series will help you create an environment of recovery for your loved one. It teaches you how to change yourself because that’s the person over whom you have control
  • CRAFT-based community groups, therapists, and more. And what is CRAFT?
  • Community Reinforcement And Family Training (CRAFT)– A online video course that teaches parents the skills they need to meet the risks of substance abuse.
• Addiction Policy Forum -Find recovery resources in your area that take your insurance. This is a trusted resource. Not all of them are. Many of the “call now” ads you see are not in your best interest.
• USA Support Group Locator
• COAP-Comprehensive Opioid Abuse Program– As a national resource, COAP’s strategic focus is to combat the opioid epidemic to reduce the number of fatal overdoses and to protect the American people.
  1. Educational materials
  2. Descriptions of effective programs being implemented throughout the United States
  3. Access to services, support, and resources of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Training and Technical Assistance Center
  4. Profiles of BJA (Bureau of Justice Assistance) grantee sites across the nation
  5. Funding and training and technical assistance opportunities.
• Resource Guide for Parents/Relatives of Addicted – Written by Tom Bannard, a recovery expert
• Guide to setting boundaries from Families Anonymous
• How to talk to a person with addiction from Families Anonymous
• Colleges with Collegiate Recovery Programs
• HARP – Helping Addicts Recover Permanently. Incarceration Program for those who suffer from substance use disorder. I have spoken to participants in this program

Substance Use Disorder (Addiction) Virginia and RVA Resources

• Virginia Center for Addiction Medicine (VCAM)– Comprehensive care from detox to recovery for those that suffer from addiction. Located in Richmond, VA. Reasonably priced
• Collegiate Recovery Program at VCU – Rams in Recovery (One of the best)
• Find help in Virginia by zip code, Sink or Swim
• Tucker Pavilion Wellness & Recovery Center – Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program
• VCU Motivate Clinic – Lists resources for loved ones struggling with addiction
• The Journey House Foundation – Recovery services- Detox, peer recovery, transportation, sober living, family support, and more.

National & Local Support and Education Groups for families and loved ones

There are several support groups in the area and many of the treatment centers have their own support groups. Here are just a few of those suffering from the addiction of a loved one

• Families Anonymous Central Virginia – Support group for families w/ children addicted or abusing drugs/alcohol
• Families Anonymous – National. Support group for families w/ children addicted or abusing drugs/alcohol
• Nar-Anon Family meeting/support groups– Richmond, VA Nar-Anon Family Support group -Meets at 6:45 pm on Wednesdays at Trinity United Methodist Church
• Mar-Anon– Group who has loved ones who are addicted to marijuana and high THC concentrates like dabs which can trigger psychosis symptoms and suicidal tendencies.
• Al-Anon Meeting Locator
• Smart Recovery Meeting Locator for Friends and Family of those who are addicted
• Every Brain Matters Support Groups + more for those with loved ones addicted to marijuana
• MomPower- Where love and addiction meet. The mission is to help moms with addicted children find strength, wisdom, perspective, sanity, and hope.

Family Educational Group for Substance Abuse Disorder National

This is a virtual group focused on educating families on substance abuse disorder (addiction). You will find resources, what to do next, and how to use the opioid trainers. These are structured with speakers and topics each week. For anyone with a loved one with an addiction, this is a fantastic group started by area expert, Tom Bannard and hosted by Scott and Theresa McBean.

REGISTER here. You will be so glad you did!

National College Resources

From re-entry back into college after medical withdrawal to groups that can support your student. Helpful resources for students struggling with mental illness and/or Substance Use Disorder (SUD)

• Colleges with SUD recovery programs. Most of these are aimed at addiction recovery.
• College Re-entry –This program is dedicated to helping students with re-entry into college after having withdrawn from their studies. This could be due to any issue including a suicide attempt to loss of a parent or even due to cancer treatment.
• Interactive Screening Program (ISP) from AFSP, American Foundation of Suicide Prevention. Those who exchanged anonymous online messages with an ISP counselor were three times more likely to enter treatment. This program is successfully used at many US colleges. It’s an anonymous online tool for students experiencing mental health issues or suicidal ideation. It’s anonymous until they make the choice to reach out. Advocates – Ask your college to implement this program. UCLA ISP Program
• Active Minds Chapters–Active Minds is a mental health organization at colleges across the US

Non-Profits, Virginia

• The Healing Place (Part of Caritas) – Addiction treatment for men 18+ (no cost)
• Virginia Recovery Foundation – The VRF is supporting several projects, one of which is a program called the RVA Recovery Project. Anyone suffering from addiction who ODs and asks for help will be referred to services
• Northstar Community – Addiction, abuse, trauma, mental illness resources and support
• COBE – Research, addiction and recovery communities in college (VCU Podcast)
• JHW Foundation – Collegiate Addiction Recovery
• Rams in Recovery – Collegiate Recovery & Support for those in recovery
• SAARA – Substance Abuse & Addiction Recovery Alliance​
• Real Life – Transition from jail/prison to the community
• McShin Foundation – Peer to peer addiction recovery and recovery high school through Henrico County
• Chesterfield SAFE – Preventing and reducing substance abuse in Chesterfield County

SUD Websites

• YouTurn.net – Help at work. Employees and families are struggling at unprecedented rates with mental health and the substance misuse that comes with constant coping efforts.
• YouTurn.net Video Library– Great Resource of helpful videos for parents, loved ones, and those who struggle including young adult alcohol use, marijuana use, and more
• MomPower.org – Nonprofit- Where love and addiction meet
• Parents Opposed to Pot – Nonprofit
• Johnny’s Ambassadors– Nonprofit, Preventing suicide by pot
• The Addict’s Mom – Sharing Without Shame, National
• How to Help Teens Overcome Substance Abuse– NIMH
• Learn about SAM, Marijuana information

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Virginia Area Nonprofits for Addiction

Sober World – Florida. Check out their resource page. Patricia, the site and owner/publisher of this magazine about Substance Use Disorder, has vetted her recommended resources, many of which are in Florida. The site is in memory of her son, Steven