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Greater New Bedford Opioid Task Force - Home

A Family & Friends' Guide to Our Website

If you’re reading this, you’re likely thinking about someone you love. Whether you have a gut feeling that something is wrong, are in the middle of a crisis, or are supporting a loved one in their recovery, finding clear, compassionate help can feel overwhelming.

 

The Greater New Bedford Opioid Task Force (GNBOTF) website has many resources, but we created this guide specifically for you—the parents, partners, siblings, and friends. Use the paths below to find the information you need right now.

I'm Concerned About a Child or Teen’s Substance
When Someone You Care About Is Using Drugs (But Not Ready for Treatment)
When Someone Is Ready for Treatment (And Where to Start)
Supporting Someone in Recovery (A New Chapter Begins)
I Need Support for Myself (Friends & Family)

I'm Concerned About a Child or Teen’s Substance Abuse

You are the most powerful protective factor in your child’s life. Prevention isn’t about one “big talk”; it’s about building small, consistent moments of connection that build trust and resilience. Start here to learn how to create a home environment that lowers risk and opens lines of communication.
  • Start with the power of everyday connection. Strong relationships are your best prevention tool. Learn how small moments—like a meal without phones or a car ride where you really listen—build the bonds that protect.
  • Know the signs before a crisis. It’s often hard to distinguish normal teen mood swings from signs of substance use. This guide helps you know what behavioral and physical changes to watch for.
  • Find safe, substance-free spaces. Supporting your child also means knowing where they are and who they’re with. Explore local activities and environments that promote healthy choices.

When Someone You Care About Is Using Drugs (But Not Ready for Treatment)

This is a frightening and isolating place to be. You may feel hopeless, but there is always something you can do. Harm reduction is a practical and compassionate approach focused on keeping your loved one alive and as healthy as possible until they are ready for change. It is not about approving of their use—it is about choosing their life above all else.
  • Understand the lifeline of harm reduction. Learn why meeting people “where they are” reduces overdose deaths, prevents infections, and opens a door to future treatment. This is about saving a life today.
  • Get Naloxone (Narcan) and learn how to use it. Narcan reverses an opioid overdose in minutes. This page explains what it is, how to get it, and provides simple, step-by-step instructions on how to use it. Carry it. It saves lives.
  • Create a “Safe Spot” plan. An overdose is less likely to be fatal if someone is there to help. This page guides you on talking to your loved one about using safely, not alone, and having a plan for an emergency.
Connect with Others Whose Loved One Is Still Using

When Someone Is Ready for Treatment (And Where to Start)

Hearing “I’m ready” is a moment of hope, but it can be followed by panic: Where do we even start? This section breaks down the many options into clear choices, helping you navigate insurance, levels of care, and different paths to healing.
  • Explore the many paths to recovery. There is no single “right way.” From inpatient detox to medication for addiction treatment (MAT) to recovery coaching, this page explains the options so you can make an informed decision together.
  • Find mental health support. Substance use and mental health are deeply connected. This page offers resources for addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, or other co-occurring conditions that are often at the root of addiction.
  • Don’t let insurance stop you. Navigating insurance for treatment is a common barrier. This resource provides practical advice on understanding your coverage, appealing denials, and finding affordable options.

Supporting Someone in Recovery (A New Chapter Begins)

Recovery is a lifelong journey of growth, not a finish line. Your role changes now, and your support is just as vital. This is a time to celebrate progress while understanding new needs—from finding community to rebuilding a meaningful life.
  • Build connections through sober events. Recovery requires a new social network. Explore the calendar of sober and supported activities in our community—from art nights to outdoor adventures. You don’t have to do this alone.
  • Understand that there are many paths to recovery. The journey is personal. This page (linked again here) reinforces that 12-step programs are just one option. Harm reduction, recovery coaching, and medication-assisted recovery are all valid, respectable paths.
  • Get involved with the recovery community through CREATE Recovery. Learn about the Community Recovery Education and Advocacy Team. This is a local initiative that helps people in recovery connect, find resources, and rebuild their lives through life skills, wellness, and social activities.

I Need Support for Myself (Friends & Family)

You cannot pour from an empty cup. The stress, grief, and uncertainty of loving someone with a substance use disorder is a heavy burden to carry alone. Your own support is not a luxury—it is a necessity. You deserve a space to be heard and to find hope.
No matter where you are on this journey, please remember: You are not alone. We are in this together. Thank you for being a loving, courageous force in your loved one’s life.
Access the full guide here: Friends and Family Support Groups