Exploring the Distinction Between Support and Enabling in Families With Substance Use Disorder

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a pervasive public health problem facing families in the United States. Although families are frequently urged to support loved ones who have SUDs and cautioned against enabling them, there is a dearth of literature that distinguishes between supporting and enabling. This phenomenological study examined the experiences of parents (n = 8) with adult children with SUD who were currently in recovery. The primary research question in this study centers on how parents navigate their loved one’s SUD, attempting to support recovery without enabling addiction. Three themes emerged from the data, including (a) addiction and recovery knowledge, (b) support group philosophy, and (c) differentiation. The results of this study add to the literature by demonstrating the importance of respective family support group affiliation on family’s perception of enabling versus supporting. More research is needed to compare and contrast family support groups and their respective philosophies.