There are several myths about rehabilitation and recovery. One of the most persistent of these is that it is an entirely solitary task. The reality, however, is that addiction does not just affect the individual who is addicted. It also affects every member of that individual’s family, their friends, and their coworkers. For this reason, everyone must understand how to support a loved one through recovery.
When considering how to support a loved one through recovery, the three key practices are easy to remember. You must support your loved one, you must encourage your loved one, and you must educate yourself about recovery.
How to Support a Loved One Through Recovery
There are several important ways that you can provide support as your loved one goes through the rehabilitation and recovery process. If you have been considering how to support a loved one through recovery, you can:
- Support your loved one in their efforts to get sober by supporting their participation in a treatment program. Whether they are participating in treatment as a residential client or an outpatient client it is imperative that you support the time they spend in treatment.
- Support their participation in self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Smart Recovery, or Life Ring. Attending self-help group meetings may mean that your loved one is home less often in the short term, but participation in these meetings can make all of the difference in the world.
- Support your loved one’s efforts at health and wellness. Many individuals experience a physical decline while in their addiction. Supporting them in improving diet and exercise is important while they are in treatment and after they have completed treatment.
- Show your support by participating in the treatment facility’s family program if they have one. This experience will not only help your loved one but will prove beneficial to you as well.
- Demonstrate optimism and hope. Hope is one thing that individuals in recovery often lack. And lacking hope is a significant contributor to relapse. By living the hope you have for your loved one, you can support their recovery every day.
Encouraging Your Loved One in Recovery
With recovery comes the need for encouragement, as well. Some of the ways you can encourage your loved one are by:
- Encouraging abstinence from all substances. This extends to substances that are not the primary substance your loved one is in recovery for.
- Encourage your loved ones to follow the recommended course of treatment. Every little bit of support counts!
- Make sure that your loved one knows what constitutes a quality support network.
Educating Yourself
The final piece of the puzzle is educating yourself about how to support a loved one through recovery. This involves:
- Knowing the signs of relapse, and speaking up when those signs appear
- Learning about strategies regarding coping skills and ways of managing
- Educating yourself about what constitutes a strong social network for yourself and your loved one. This means helping to ensure that you and your loved one get the right kind of support.
Contact New Bridge Foundation® for Help
When you are considering how to support a loved one through recovery, you don’t have to do it alone. The experienced healthcare professionals at New Bridge Foundation® have decades of experience dealing with substance use disorders of all kinds. If you or someone you love needs support, reach out to New Bridge today using our online form, or call us at 866.772.8491. It’s time to get the support you need.
