♡Leave It to Love It Foundation

When addiction affects someone you love, know what to do next.

Free, practical guidance for relapse, treatment decisions, hard conversations, and protecting your own wellbeing.

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501(c)(3) nonprofit • Free family resources • Created from lived experience
Two women reviewing addiction guidance together at a table

Start with what’s happening right now.

↻They relapsed◌I don’t know what to say⇄I’m trying to choose treatment◎I feel completely overwhelmed

Clear next steps when everything feels confusing.

▤

Understand what’s happening

Straightforward guidance explains addiction, relapse, and treatment in plain language.

☑

Choose the next right step

Practical tools help you take action with more clarity and less guesswork.

♧

Find trustworthy support

We connect families to vetted resources and a compassionate community.

Felice Leavitt, founder of Leave It to Love It Foundation

Our story started with one family.

I created Leave It to Love It after my own family’s experience with addiction—when we were overwhelmed, confused, and couldn’t find clear answers or real support.

This foundation exists to make sure no family has to navigate it alone. We share what we’ve learned so you can find steadier ground.

Read our full story →

Get the Family Addiction First-Step Kit

Practical tools for the moments when you do not know what to say or what to do next.

  • Relapse first-response checklist
  • Hard-conversation starters
  • Treatment decision questions
Need urgent help? Call 911 for immediate danger. Call or text 988 for suicide or mental-health crisis support.

We respect your privacy and never sell your information.

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Immediate danger: call 911.
Suicide or mental-health crisis: call or text 988.

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Help us put clear guidance into more families’ hands.

Your support helps us create and share free, practical resources for families facing addiction.

Every donation makes a real difference.

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If this is a crisis, help is available.
Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. You are not alone.
Need guidance?
Explore the free guides or contact us with general questions about our resources.
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♡  Leave It to Love It FoundationHelping families navigate addiction
Free, practical support

Free Guides

Clear guidance for the moments when you don’t know what to do next. Choose the situation that feels closest to what’s happening right now.

↻

What to Do If Someone Relapses

The first 24 hours matter.

“ ”

What to Say—and What Not to Say

Words matter more than you think.

⇄

How to Choose a Treatment Program

The questions that actually matter.

◎

When You Don’t Know What to Do Next

A guide for when you feel overwhelmed.

Emergency help

Call 911 for immediate danger or a suspected overdose. Call or text 988 for suicide or mental-health crisis support.

© 2026 Leave It to Love It Foundation
♡  Leave It to Love It FoundationHelping families navigate addiction
The First 24 Hours Matter

What To Do If Someone Relapses

Relapse can feel overwhelming and scary. Your response in the first 24 hours can make a big difference. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you stay calm, support your loved one, and take the right next steps.

1. Take a Breath. Stay Calm.

It’s normal to feel shock, anger, or fear. But staying calm helps everyone.
Your loved one is more likely to open up if they don’t feel judged or attacked.

2. Make Sure Everyone Is Safe.

Check for immediate safety concerns. If your loved one is at risk of harming themselves or others, don’t hesitate to call a professional or go to the ER.
Safety comes first.

3. Start a Calm Conversation.

Choose a quiet time and place to talk. Avoid confrontation.
Try starting with:
“I’m here for you.” “Do you want to talk about what happened?”

4. Focus on the Next Right Step.

Don’t try to solve everything in one conversation. Ask what they need right now and focus on one next step together—whether that’s rest, support, a meeting, or contacting a professional.

5. Get Support for Yourself Too.

This is hard. Make sure you have someone to talk to and lean on.
You can’t pour from an empty cup.

♡  Remember

Relapse doesn’t mean failure. It’s a setback, not the end of the story.
Your support, patience, and love can make a huge difference.

Last reviewed: July 20, 2026

Emergency help

Call 911 for immediate danger or a suspected overdose. Call or text 988 for suicide or mental-health crisis support.

Educational disclaimer

This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance about your circumstances.

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Related free guides

What To Say (and What Not To Say) →How To Choose A Treatment Program →When You Don’t Know What to Do Next →
© 2026 Leave It to Love It Foundation
♡  Leave It to Love It FoundationHelping families navigate addiction
Words Matter More Than You Think

What To Say (and What Not To Say)

The right words can keep the conversation open.
The wrong ones can shut it down. Here are examples of what helps—and what to avoid.

What to say: “I’m here for you.”

Simple, but powerful. It reminds them they’re not alone.

What not to say: “You need to get help.”

This can feel pushy and make them shut down.

What to say: “What’s been hardest for you lately?”

Opens the door for them to share without feeling judged.

What not to say: “Why can’t you just stop?”

This creates shame and defensiveness, not understanding.

What to say: “I’m listening.”

Lets them know you care and want to understand.

What not to say: “You’re just making excuses.”

This invalidates their experience and closes the conversation.

What to say: “How can I support you right now?”

Gives them space to share what they actually need.

What not to say: “I told you this would happen.”

Brings up past mistakes and creates guilt, not solutions.

What to say: “I love you, and I’m worried about you.”

Shows love and concern without blame.

What not to say: “You’re selfish.” or “You don’t care about anyone but yourself.”

Name-calling creates more distance and resentment.

♡  Remember

You don’t need the perfect words. You just need to lead with love,
stay calm, and keep the door open for connection.

Last reviewed: July 20, 2026

Emergency help

Call 911 for immediate danger or a suspected overdose. Call or text 988 for suicide or mental-health crisis support.

Educational disclaimer

This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance about your circumstances.

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Related free guides

What To Do If Someone Relapses →How To Choose A Treatment Program →When You Don’t Know What to Do Next →
© 2026 Leave It to Love It Foundation
♡  Leave It to Love It FoundationHelping families navigate addiction
The Questions That Actually Matter

How To Choose A Treatment Program

There are a lot of treatment options out there, and it can feel overwhelming. These questions will help you look beyond the marketing and find a program that’s actually the right fit.

What kind of support do they provide after treatment?

Recovery doesn’t end when the program does. Ask what kind of aftercare, alumni support, or ongoing resources they offer to help with the transition back to daily life.

How do they handle relapse?

Relapse can happen. What matters is how the program responds.
Ask about their approach, their support, and what options are available if your loved one needs additional help.

How involved can the family be?

Addiction affects the whole family. Ask how the program includes and supports families through education, communication, and healing.

What is their approach to individualized care?

Every person’s story is different. Ask how they create personalized treatment plans and whether they adjust care as needs change.

What are their qualifications and success indicators?

Ask about staff credentials, experience, and how they measure success.
Look for transparency, not just promises.

♡  Remember

You’re not just choosing a program. You’re choosing a team, a community,
and a path forward. Trust your gut, ask questions, and take your time.

Last reviewed: July 20, 2026

Emergency help

Call 911 for immediate danger or a suspected overdose. Call or text 988 for suicide or mental-health crisis support.

Educational disclaimer

This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance about your circumstances.

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Related free guides

What To Do If Someone Relapses →What To Say (and What Not To Say) →When You Don’t Know What to Do Next →
© 2026 Leave It to Love It Foundation
♡  Leave It to Love It FoundationHelping families navigate addiction
A Guide For When You Feel Overwhelmed

When You Don’t Know What to Do Next

It’s easy to feel stuck, scared, or unsure of what the right move is. When your mind is racing, this simple step-by-step can help you focus on what matters.

Pause and take a breath.

When you’re overwhelmed, your mind goes into overdrive.
Take a few deep breaths and remind yourself:
“I don’t have to figure everything out right now.”

Focus on what’s in front of you.

You can’t control everything, but you can control your next step.
Ask yourself: “What’s one thing I can do in the next hour?”
Keep it small, clear, and doable.

Reach out. You don’t have to do this alone.

Talk to someone you trust, join a support group,
or connect with a professional. Getting support
can bring clarity and relief.

Write it out.

Put your thoughts on paper. Get it all out.
Sometimes just seeing it written down
makes it feel more manageable.

Be kind to yourself.

You’re doing the best you can in a really hard situation.
It’s okay to not have all the answers.
Showing up matters more than you know.

♡  Remember

You don’t need to have it all together.
You just need to keep showing up with love, one step at a time.

Last reviewed: July 20, 2026

Emergency help

Call 911 for immediate danger or a suspected overdose. Call or text 988 for suicide or mental-health crisis support.

Educational disclaimer

This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a qualified professional for guidance about your circumstances.

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Related free guides

What To Do If Someone Relapses →What To Say (and What Not To Say) →How To Choose A Treatment Program →
© 2026 Leave It to Love It Foundation
♡  Leave It to Love It FoundationHelping families navigate addiction
About the foundation

Our story started with one family.

I created Leave It to Love It Foundation after losing my brother, Devon, to addiction. My family knew what it felt like to love someone deeply while constantly wondering what to say, what to do, and where to find trustworthy help.

I built this foundation so other families would have clearer next steps than we did. Our resources focus on the moments that can feel impossible to navigate—relapse, treatment decisions, difficult conversations, boundaries, and grief.

Our story began with one family, but this work is for every family affected by addiction.

Felice Leavitt

Founder

Felice Leavitt, founder of Leave It to Love It Foundation
Felice Leavitt
Founder

Lived experience, responsibly informed

The foundation combines lived experience with credible public-health information. Our educational resources are designed to make reliable information easier for families to understand and use. They do not replace individualized professional care.

View our transparency information
♡  Leave It to Love It FoundationHelping families navigate addiction
Accountability

Transparency

Clear information about who we are, where we are in our development, and how donations are used.

Leave It to Love It Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

We are currently building and distributing free educational resources for families affected by addiction.

Organization information

EIN41-5237289
State of incorporationArizona
FounderFelice Leavitt
Board membersEmily Leavitt
Mary Goldman
Contact email[email protected]
IRS determination letterView the IRS determination letter

How donations currently support the work

Donations currently support resource development, accessibility, website and email infrastructure, and community distribution.

Professional resource review: Compensating qualified professionals with relevant addiction, mental-health, or public-health experience to evaluate our guides for accuracy, safety, clarity, stigma-free language, appropriate crisis guidance, and alignment with credible public-health information. Reviewers and relevant credentials will be identified once engaged. Our resources remain educational and do not replace individualized professional care.

Leave It to Love It Foundation does not accept referral fees for treatment placement.

Our transparency commitment

The foundation will publish periodic updates showing donations received, expenses, guides distributed, and current projects.

♡  Leave It to Love It FoundationHelping families navigate addiction
General questions

Contact

Explore the free guides or contact us with general questions about our resources.

Email the foundation

[email protected]

We typically respond within 3–5 business days.

Please do not email addiction histories, medical information, or crisis details.

Scope of our work

Leave It to Love It Foundation is not a crisis service, treatment provider, or medical practice. We cannot provide medical advice, diagnose conditions, recommend a specific treatment program, or respond to emergencies.

Helpful links

Explore Free GuidesGet the First-Step KitPrivacy PolicyEducational Disclaimer
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♡  Leave It to Love It FoundationHelping families navigate addiction
Your information

Privacy Policy

A plain-language explanation of the information we collect and how it is used.

Information collected through the email form

When you request the Family Addiction First-Step Kit or join our email list, we collect the first name and email address you enter. Please do not submit addiction histories, medical information, crisis details, or other sensitive health information through our forms or general email address.

Why we collect it

We use this information to deliver requested resources, send confirmation and follow-up emails, and occasionally share foundation news or educational resources when you have consented to receive them.

Email provider

MailerLite processes and stores email-form submissions on our behalf and helps us send email. MailerLite’s own privacy terms also apply to its processing of this information.

Unsubscribing

You may unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link in any foundation email.

Information sharing

We do not sell personal information. We share information only with service providers needed to operate the website and email program, when required by law, or when necessary to protect rights and safety.

Data deletion requests

To request deletion of your email-list information, contact [email protected]. We may retain limited records when legally required.

Cookies and analytics

We do not currently use optional analytics or advertising trackers. Carrd, MailerLite, Stripe, or other linked services may use cookies or similar technologies as part of providing their services. If we add analytics in the future, we will update this policy.

Contact

Privacy questions may be sent to [email protected].

Last updated: July 20, 2026

♡  Leave It to Love It FoundationHelping families navigate addiction
Please read

Educational Disclaimer

The foundation’s resources are provided for general educational purposes.

They do not replace professional medical, mental-health, legal, or emergency assistance. Nothing on this website creates a professional-client or provider-patient relationship.

Leave It to Love It Foundation does not endorse or recommend a specific treatment provider or treatment program. Families should independently evaluate providers and consult qualified professionals about individual needs.

External links are provided for convenience and general information. The foundation does not control external websites and is not responsible for their content, availability, privacy practices, or services.

If you need non-emergency information, explore the Free Guides or contact us with general questions about our resources.

♡  Leave It to Love It FoundationHelping families navigate addiction
Public record

IRS Determination Letter

The Internal Revenue Service determined that Leave It to Love It Foundation is exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) and classified the organization as a public charity.

EIN41-5237289
Effective date of exemptionApril 23, 2026
IRS letter dateMay 26, 2026
Public charity status170(b)(1)(A)(vi)

A readable image of the official determination letter appears below.

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IRS determination letter confirming Leave It to Love It Foundation 501(c)(3) status
IRS determination letter confirming Leave It to Love It Foundation 501(c)(3) status
♡ Leave It to Love It Foundation
The Founding 50 Campaign

Help build the resource families wish they had sooner.

When someone you love is struggling with addiction, it can be difficult to know what to say, what to do, or where to turn. Leave It to Love It Foundation creates free, practical guides for those moments.

Our first campaign will raise $5,000 to strengthen these resources, have them professionally reviewed, make them more accessible, and distribute them to more families.

Become one of the first 50 people helping Leave It to Love It put clear, compassionate guidance into families’ hands.

Become a Founding DonorGive Monthly

Campaign progress

$600 raised of $5,000
0 of 50 founding donors

Campaign deadline: October 19, 2026

Campaign progress is updated periodically and may not reflect gifts received within the last 48 hours.

What donations will support

Professional resource review

Compensating qualified professionals with relevant addiction, mental-health, or public-health experience to evaluate our guides for accuracy, safety, clarity, stigma-free language, appropriate crisis guidance, and alignment with credible public-health information.

Accessible resources

Improved readability, accessible PDFs, mobile-friendly materials, and formats that are easier for families to use.

Spanish-language resources

Professional translation and cultural review rather than unreviewed automated translation.

Community distribution

Printing and sharing resources through therapists, pharmacies, hospitals, libraries, universities, and community partners.

Essential infrastructure

Website, email-delivery, donation-processing, compliance, and basic operational expenses required to keep the resources available.

Choose an amount that feels right for you

Every gift helps build the foundation for trustworthy, accessible family resources.

$25$50$100$250Choose a one-time amount
Felice Leavitt, founder of Leave It to Love It Foundation

Why I created this

I created Leave It to Love It after losing my brother, Devon, to addiction. My family knew what it felt like to love someone deeply while constantly wondering what to say or do next. This campaign is about giving other families clearer guidance during those moments—not making my family’s story the only story the organization tells.

Felice Leavitt
Founder

Trust and transparency

Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit · EIN 41-5237289 · Incorporated in Arizona

TransparencyIRS determination letterPrivacy[email protected]

Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. No goods or services are provided in exchange for contributions unless explicitly stated.

Donation FAQ

How will my donation be used?

Gifts support accessible resources, translation, distribution, and the basic infrastructure necessary to provide free educational materials.

Professional resource review: Compensating qualified professionals with relevant addiction, mental-health, or public-health experience to evaluate our guides for accuracy, safety, clarity, stigma-free language, appropriate crisis guidance, and alignment with credible public-health information. Reviewers and relevant credentials will be identified once engaged. Our resources remain educational and do not replace individualized professional care.

Does the foundation provide treatment or therapy?

No. The foundation currently provides free educational resources and connections to established public resources. It is not a treatment provider, medical practice, or crisis service.

Will I receive a receipt?

Yes. Stripe should automatically provide a payment receipt. The foundation will also maintain appropriate donor records and acknowledgments.

Can my employer match my donation?

Possibly. Donors can check their employee-benefits portal or ask their human-resources department whether charitable contributions are matched.

Can I donate monthly?

Yes. Monthly donations help the foundation plan its resource work more consistently.

Can I donate anonymously?

We do not publicly identify donors without their permission, but Stripe and the foundation retain the information required for payment processing and legal records.

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♡ Leave It to Love It Foundation

Thank you for becoming part of the foundation.

Your support is helping us build clearer, more accessible resources for families affected by addiction. A donation receipt should arrive by email.

Employer matching: Check your employee-benefits portal or ask your human-resources department whether charitable contributions are matched.

Explore the Free GuidesJoin the email list

Joining the email list is optional and requires separate consent. Donors are not automatically subscribed to marketing email.

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