Substance addiction recovery is the last hurdle in the fight to break the cycle of addiction, although it may be the longest and, in some cases, on-going, depending on the substance that has been abused, the effects it has had on the addict, the personality of the addict and a whole host of other factors. Family members and close friends should arm themselves with detailed knowledge on the recovery process that the addict will go through as this will provide an overall sense of calm and confidence, not just amongst themselves, but also in the addict. This will make the recovery process a little easier on the addict and will ensure that he has little chance of relapsing back into addiction. Friends and family members should not underestimate the importance of this support. They can have a significant influence on the outcome of the addict’s recovery by understanding the steps involved in the recovery process.