First and foremost, know that you are not alone and that there are people who love you and who want to help you, both in emotional support as well as daily chores.  This is not a time to reject those individuals that come to help, lend a hand or offer a shoulder on which to cry.  Family is great, but sometimes close friends can have a more powerful impact on our recovery. Don’t feel guilty about this. For me, my friends are my extended family and they were able to support and help me in ways that my family could not.