A quality addiction treatment program will include group and individual therapy. It is important that your loved one attend these sessions regularly.
Removing drugs and alcohol from their environment is also helpful. They should also avoid triggers such as stress and financial problems.
Encourage your loved ones to take healthy actions and offer positive words of support. Remind them that many others have overcome their struggles with substance use disorder.
Be Honest
If your loved one is going through recovery, be honest with them about how their unhealthy behaviors are affecting you. Be careful not to accuse them or make assumptions. Instead, offer encouragement and accountability. Encourage them to keep their therapy appointments and attend support group meetings. This shows them that you take their addiction seriously and will be there for them if they are having a hard time.
Remind your loved one that they are not alone in their struggles and that many other people have overcome drug misuse. This can be a powerful message that helps them to feel optimistic about their future.
You can also support your loved one by encouraging them to create a supportive environment at home. This means removing drugs, alcohol and other potential triggers from their immediate environment. It may also be helpful to encourage them to participate in family therapy sessions that are often offered by rehab centers, like The Diamond Rehab Thailand. During these sessions, you can discuss the effects of your loved one’s drug or alcohol use on you and the rest of the family.
Encourage Self-Care
Addiction can be a lonely and confusing disease, so it’s important to help your loved one develop healthy ways of connecting with other people. Encourage them to take part in activities such as volunteering, attending community events and participating in family therapy sessions.
In many cases, a person’s addiction requires ongoing treatment. You can support your loved one by encouraging them to continue to attend regular counseling and support group meetings at their rehab center, or to find out if local recovery programs offer these services.
Your loved one will need to learn how to live in a world without drugs and alcohol. Help them set boundaries, and avoid enabling or “crutch” habits like excessive spending or lying to protect their substance use disorder. Encourage them to practice self-care by eating nutritious foods, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly, which can all contribute to their long-term health and mental well-being. Also, remind them that they can enjoy their life and make friends without the use of drugs or alcohol. They can even try a new hobby, such as painting or taking an art class, to get in touch with their creativity and feel productive.
Remind Your Loved One of Their Dreams
It is not uncommon for deceased loved ones to appear in dreams to provide guidance and support. It may be their way of addressing issues that were too difficult to address while they were alive or simply showing you they still care. The advice they give you will likely be more worldly and logical now that they are communicating from another dimension, but it will still feel warm and comforting to receive. Reminding your loved one of their dreams can help them stay focused on overcoming addiction and moving toward the future they want to live. Let them know you are proud of them and would love to attend their program graduation ceremony. Leaving out keepsakes they used to own or handwritten notes with their initials on them is also helpful in drawing in their energy and helping you recognize their presence.
Be Supportive
When you have a loved one in rehab, it’s natural to want to help them as much as possible. However, you must also be mindful of your own health and mental well-being. Otherwise, your efforts could end up backfiring and causing more harm than good.
To avoid this scenario, make sure your home is free from drugs and other drug triggers when your loved one visits. This will give them a place to feel safe and comfortable while they work through their addiction. Additionally, you can offer to help them clear their own homes of drugs and drug paraphernalia if they are having trouble doing it themselves.
In addition, make sure your loved ones know that you’re there for them and will always support their recovery. It’s important to remind them that they are not alone; millions of people have successfully overcome their substance use disorder and gone on to live their dreams. This can be a great motivator when they are struggling. Moreover, you can show your love for them by encouraging new hobbies or even taking them on day trips to help them stay busy and reduce stress.
Encourage Your Loved One to Stay in Therapy
Despite your best intentions, your loved one may not be receptive to your feedback about negative behaviors. Instead, ask for the help of a therapist to address your concerns. Often, a professional therapist is able to offer a less-threatening approach and more effective communication skills.
Encourage your loved one to continue attending therapy and participating in recovery activities as advised by their treatment program. They will likely need help navigating at-home triggers and stressors, so it’s essential that they stay engaged with their recovery.
In addition, remind them that self-care is a critical part of addiction recovery. Help them find healthy ways to relieve stress, such as exercise or a new hobby.
Remind them that millions of people have successfully overcome substance use disorders and are living their dreams. You can also support them by ensuring that their home is free of drugs and drug paraphernalia, encouraging them to attend support group meetings, and offering to be their plus one at sober events. Lastly, be sure to participate in family therapy sessions at their treatment center, if this is allowed.
Mitigate At-Home Relapse Risks
While relapse is always a risk, it can be minimized with the help of support groups and avoiding high-risk situations. Individuals in recovery learn to identify warning signs of relapse and create relapse prevention plans they can use when faced with triggers, stressors or negative emotions.
When they return home, it’s important to make sure their environment is free from alcohol and drugs, or drug paraphernalia. It’s also a good idea to encourage them to keep their busy and engage in healthy activities, which will help reduce boredom or stress that can lead to drug use.
You can also help them build trust by communicating openly, and not nagging or lecturing. Getting professional advice on how to best support your loved one in rehab can also be helpful. At Assistance in Recovery, our advocates can coach you on how to approach your loved one about their substance use disorder and explain the variety of treatment options for them. Call us today for more information. We can also help you find out if your insurance covers their treatment program.
Attend Support Group Meetings
When a friend or family member enters recovery, it’s important to balance involvement with restraint. After all, you must also take care of your own health and responsibilities while supporting them during this tough time. Set boundaries and keep communication calm, clear, and consistent. This ensures that your loved one can trust you and understands that certain behaviors, like using drugs or alcohol around them, are off limits.
Encourage your loved one to stay committed to their treatment plan by encouraging therapy attendance and active participation in group and individual counseling sessions. You can show your support by attending these meetings as their “plus one” or showing up to family-integrated alumni events. Additionally, many addiction treatment centers offer outpatient programs that mirror inpatient rehabilitation services, such as mutual-help groups, therapy, and counseling. You can also encourage healthy lifestyle habits, such as exercise and good nutrition. Practicing these healthy habits can inspire your loved one to continue their recovery outside of treatment, too. They will learn that they can have a meaningful and fulfilling life without the use of drugs or alcohol.