An addict usually needs to want recovery to work towards it.  It’s rare they can be successfully forced into it.  The hard fact is most addicts are in denial or simply think they are still in control. Interventions often help to get addict past the denial stage but that is just the beginning.

If you are not the addict, and someone you love is, educate yourself quickly on how to handle situations. Local family drug education groups are commonly available in most areas. I learned more then I can say from a program at the Lighthouse at Mays Landing.  Attending Naranon or Alanon Meetings is important as well. The help these groups offered is amazing.  The fright, anger, and confusion that families endure make the phrase “Addiction is a family disease” fully understandable.  I have listed some resources below that I have found most useful.

Prevention

http://www.drugfree.org/

The Partnership for a Drug Free America.  This site has has tons of information for Parents and Teens.  It's content is up-to-date and the layout and graphics make it easy browsing. Drug Free America continues to do research on all topics.  The site includes a links for Prevention, How to Talk to you Children, Intervention & Treatment among many other important subjects.   I currently sit on the Parent Advisory Board of this site and am partial to their resources.

http://www.justthinktwice.com/drugfacts/

This DEA site is good place for teens and adults to find accurate information regarding drug facts. Make sure to visit the “It can’t be me link”.

http://www.dare.com/home/newdareprogram.asp

The Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program, is taking a new approach to drug and violence prevention.

Recovery

http://www.soberrecovery.com/

This is a great site for all types of recovery.  You can search by Type of treatment, geographical area,  Special focus groups/dual diagnosis. The site also has some other features like forums and blogs.

http://www.na.org/

Narcotics Anonymous world services link.  This  site includes a link to search for meetings as well as provides literature to what the program is about.

http://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org/en_information_aa.cfm

Alcoholics Anonymous link.  Provides information on A.A. as well as a meeting list.

Family & Friends Dealing with a loved one’s addiction

http://nar-anon.org/aboutnaranon.htm

Nar-Anon members are relatives and friends who are concerned about the addiction or drug problem of another.  Nar-Anon’s program of recovery is adapted from Narcotics Anonymous and uses Nar-Anon's Twelve Steps, Twelve Traditions, and Twelve Concepts

http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/english.html

For over 50 years, Al-Anon (which includes Alateen for younger members) has been offering hope and help to families and friends of alcoholics.