Families impacted by addiction need support, guidance, and tools to help their loved ones—and themselves—heal.
For over 20 years, Allies in Recovery has provided resources to thousands of families.
But now, due to government funding cuts, this vital program is at risk of shutting down.
Your voice can make
a difference.
Whether you’re reaching out to legislators, organizations such as recovery centers and hospitals, or your personal network, this toolkit gives you everything you need to advocate for families who rely on Allies in Recovery. Below, you’ll find:
- A press release outlining the urgent need for support
- A fact sheet with key data on Allies’ impact
- Email & phone scripts to make outreach simple
- A Facebook post you can easily share
- A tool to find your legislators’ contact info
Take Action Today
Downloadable Resources:
⇒ Allies in Recovery Fact Sheet
⇒ If you’ve been affected by addiction in your family, you are welcome to use these scripts to reach out to legislators or your network:
For Families- Email & Phone Scripts
⇒ Are you an ally supporting families affected by substance use? Here are scripts for your outreach:
TAKE ACTION – Find Your Legislators
Easily locate contact information for your elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels:
https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
https://www.commoncause.org/find-your-representative
You can also call Congress directly:
U.S. House of Representatives Switchboard: (202) 225-3121
U.S. Senate Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Spread the Word:
Share our podcast with someone: Share a link to Coming Up for Air. Tune in and learn more from Allies families. (link to listen on Spotify — link to listen on Apple Podcasts)
Press release to share:
Contact: Allies in Recovery
57 Prospect St #2, Northampton, MA 01060
413.387.9395
support@alliesinrecovery.net
www.alliesinrecovery.net
For immediate release
May 7, 2025
Families on the Front Line: Federal Aid Cuts Hit Local Addiction Work
Raise your hand if you know of a proven way to help someone in the throes of addiction.
Look—someone’s raising their hand. In fact, thousands of families are raising their hands. What helped them get two-thirds of their loved ones to reduce substance use, enter treatment, and stay in recovery six times longer? Allies in Recovery, a proven program that trains families to guide their loved ones into lasting recovery. These families are living proof that healing from addiction is within everyone’s reach.
On March 3, just 42 days into the Trump administration, massive reductions in federal aid to states cut the legs out from under Massachusetts programs supporting critical, family-centered addiction programs. One of the programs defunded is Allies in Recovery, a lifeline for thousands of families dealing with a loved one’s addiction. Advocates warn that these cuts will leave families without the tools they desperately need for lasting recovery and stability, and risk reversing hard-earned declines in deaths from opioids and other drugs.
In Massachusetts alone, over 3,500 families have engaged with the science-backed CRAFT (Community Reinforcement and Family Training) approach through Allies in Recovery, creating informed and empowered individuals who can effectively guide their loved ones toward care and sustained recovery.
Families are the first responders in the opioid epidemic. They are the most plentiful and dedicated labor force in our national struggle with substance use. They are uniquely motivated and work for free. Training family members is the best investment we can possibly make.
Since its founding, Allies in Recovery has been at the forefront of the fight against substance use disorder, successfully implementing the CRAFT method through a scalable, self-paced eLearning program that includes live groups, blogs, podcasts, individual guidance, and access to specialists. It’s a success story in every sense of the word.
Allies is sounding the alarm about these federal aid cuts, as well as the envisioned ripple-down cuts across the Commonwealth—and using an advocacy toolkit to mobilize families and supporters to petition their representatives for their reversal. “The families we work with have proven their dedication and effectiveness time and again,” says Allies CEO and founder Dominique Simon-Levine, “and we’ve been helping more of them every year. Our message to our representatives, community leaders, and the public at large is simple: don’t let this happen.”
With nearly 50% of U.S. families reporting having loved ones with substance use disorder, the importance of family-focused support programs cannot be overstated. Simply put, training and supporting families saves lives, rebuilds community, and ensures long-term recovery. If we end this vital support, we risk undoing all of this progress.
To find out more about Allies in Recovery and its make-or-break search for new funding, contact Dominique Simon-Levine at support@alliesinrecovery.net.
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