1. Have a basic understanding of the factors that contribute to addiction and how substance use disorders impair thinking and decision making.
2. Be aware of concurrent mental health disorders and other stressors and their potential relationships to problematic substance use.
3. Know about screening tools that may be used to identify risk of substance use.
4. Be aware of the stigma that those with substance use disorders often face, and understand that the resulting feelings of shame present barriers to treatment and recovery.
5. Explore and acknowledge your own implicit bias and the effects your beliefs have on your relationship with a family affected by a substance use disorder.