Impact of Substance Use Disorder and Recovery on Families of Tradespeople

Our past data showed that substance use doesn’t just affect the worker, it deeply impacts the entire family. With the goal of enhancing the support we provide for clients and their families, this study investigated how addiction and recovery affect loved ones and the family unit.

We aimed to:

1. Highlight family perspectives – ensuring the voices of spouses, children, and other family members are heard and valued.
2. Identify key support needs – clarifying what families need most and proposing solutions.
3. Empower families – providing tools and knowledge to navigate a loved one’s addiction and recovery.
4. Engage employers and unions – showing how family well-being impacts work performance, safety, and retention.

Key Findings:

1. Addiction impacts the entire family
   • Family members and friends of someone with an addiction most often experience stress, anxiety, depression, anger, frustration, and worry — especially about their loved one’s safety.
   • Many reported that the addiction harmed their personal relationships, especially with the person struggling.
   • Two in ten said they began using substances themselves or increased their use because of their loved one’s addiction.
2. Family support is a powerful recovery tool
   • 90% of people who are sober or have reduced their substance use said family or friends played an important role in their recovery.
   • The most common type of help was emotional support, followed by assistance in finding recovery programs.
   • Family members described support as “love and understanding,” “being there without judgment,” and “working together as a team.”
   • While some families faced barriers — such as a loved one refusing help or not knowing where to find information — most said they would not give up trying to support them.
3. Families need more education, resources, and self-care tools
   • Families want to learn how to support their loved one and take care of their own mental and physical health.
   • Many asked for guidance on preventing relapse, having healthier conversations, and setting boundaries.
   • Access to educational materials, family support groups, and recovery programs were among the most requested resources.

Why This Matters for the Trades

Addiction doesn’t just impact the worker—it affects everyone around them, and that stress can follow workers to work. In the trades, this means more distractions, safety risks, and turnover. By supporting families in the recovery, employers and unions can promote:

1. 1. • Safer workplaces: Workers who have strong family support are less likely to experience stress-related errors on the job.
      • Better retention: Employees with healthy home lives are more likely to stay in their roles long-term.
      • Stronger teams: Families who are informed and engaged contribute to a worker’s recovery, which strengthens workplace cohesion.
      • Healthier workforce: Investing in family-focused recovery reduces the risk of relapse and promotes overall well-being.

Outcomes

Recovery is stronger when families are supported. With the right tools and resources, families can play a vital role in their loved one’s success—helping workers stay healthy, focused, and supported in their recovery. De Novo will use these findings to enhance our residential and family programs to better support workers and their loved ones.

How to cite this data: De Novo Treatment Centre. (2024). Impact of Substance Use and Recovery on Families of Tradespeople. https://denovo.ca

This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

Ce projet Emploi Ontario est financé en partie par le gouvernement du Canada est le gouvernement de l’Ontario.

Special thank you to our project supporters: