Friends of Addicts Support Group
CARES for Friends
- Welcome Home
You Don’t Have to Carry This Alone
Loving someone who struggles with addiction is painful, confusing, and lonely—especially when you’re just a friend. You may feel like you don’t have a “right” to speak up or reach out for help. But your heart is heavy, your mind races, and you’re not sure what to do anymore.
At CARES, we see you. We’re here for you. Because being a friend of someone struggling with addiction can be just as heavy. Our friends of addicts support group offers understanding, connection, and a place where you don’t have to carry it all alone.
- Join Us
You’re Not “Just” a Friend. You’re Someone Who Cares.
Whether you’re watching a childhood friend slip away, trying to support a roommate in crisis, or struggling to maintain boundaries with someone you love deeply, your role matters. And your pain is real.
CARES offers a place for caregivers of all kinds—including friends—to receive support, education, and tools to navigate the emotional toll of addiction.
- Essential Resources + Support
Finding the Line & Helping Your Friends
When a close friend is struggling with addiction, it can be emotionally exhausting to support them while trying to protect your own well-being. Finding the right balance between caring for your friend and maintaining your mental health is often challenging and overwhelming. The emotional toll can leave you feeling helpless, guilty, or unsure of how to help without losing yourself in the process.
At CARES, our friends of addicts support group provides a safe and understanding space where you can share your experiences, learn healthy boundaries, and find comfort among others who truly understand what it means to love a friend in addiction.
CARES is an organization dedicated to providing essential resources and support specifically designed for individuals who are trying to help a friend facing addiction. They offer guidance on how to approach conversations about substance use, tools for setting healthy boundaries, and strategies to manage your own stress and anxiety. By fostering a community of understanding and offering practical advice, CARES empowers friends of those in need to navigate this complex situation with compassion and care, while also prioritizing their own mental wellness.
- A Community Who Cares
What to Expect With CARES
Weekly Expert-Led Talks
Every Monday night in Austin (and soon online), hear from therapists, doctors, authors, and people in long-term recovery. Learn how addiction affects relationships, what boundaries really look like, and how to care without losing yourself.
Click-to-Use Resources
We don’t just talk about support—we give it to you. Access books, videos, worksheets, and podcasts right from the sessions. No guesswork. Just guidance.
A Place to Be Heard and Understood
You might not be their parent, partner, or sibling—but you still love them. At CARES, we honor the whole circle of care. You belong here.
Burnout Relief & Emotional Support
If you’ve felt the stress of trying to “be there” while not knowing what to do, you’re not alone. CARES helps you take care of yourself while being a compassionate presence in someone else's life.
Why CARES: Compassionate Support Groups for Friends of Addicts
Because you shouldn’t have to carry this alone, being a friend doesn’t mean standing helpless on the sidelines. It means learning how to love with clarity, strength, and healthy boundaries.
At CARES, we help you do exactly that. With understanding, guidance, and community, you’ll find the support you need to care for someone you love without losing yourself in the process.
- creating a supportive environment
Join Us
We are excited to introduce the Cornerstone CARES speaker series, a collaborative initiative with The Texas CARES Program and the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. Starting at Cornerstone Church ATX, our series aims to reach communities across the nation, creating a supportive environment for families affected by addiction. Through these sessions, we will share personal stories, expert insights, and evidence-based strategies to assist individuals and families on their journey to recovery. Join us in building a compassionate community dedicated to healing and hope.
- Articles + Events
You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to show up.
The overarching mission of CARES is to create an environment where “those who love and protect can feel love and protection.” Each gathering is a step towards helping caregivers find clarity and confidence in their roles, equipping them with the knowledge to navigate the recovery landscape without the burden of doubt.
- Contact Us Today