When you’re loved one is in need of alcohol or drug addiction rehab, it can be difficult to know how involved you and your family should be in their treatment process. Should you step back and let them work the program on their own or should you be right there every single step of the way? From sub-acute detox to the first day at a residential addiction treatment facility, knowing the part you play in their addiction is vital to their recovery. The more you understand about the treatment process and your part in their addictive behavior, the better you can help them reach long-term sobriety. Here is how you can be involved and supportive in your loved one’s addiction recovery.
Before Drug Addiction Treatment
Starting out, let your loved one know exactly how you feel about their using. Be cool, calm, and collected when you approach them and be honest. Let them know that this is where you draw the line in the sand and that you can no longer support or enable their drug or alcohol problem. Try something like this:
“I love you and I want to see you get better. I can’t help you continue down the path you are going but I will help you get help. Let’s do this together.”
If you are unsure is this approach will be effective, just ask them how you can help them get through this. It’s such a simple question, but many people don’t think of it amid the issues and tension that comes with having an addiction in the family.
During Residential Drug Rehab
During their time at an addiction recovery center, your loved one is going to be quite busy on their road to recovery. Don’t be alarmed if they don’t call you every day with an update. If you are in the same state, many drug addiction treatment programs have family visiting hours or days. For example, here at The Discovery House, we have a family therapy program where each week families come and visit with their loved ones and participate in family as well as individual therapy. This encourages family togetherness and helps to address any issues that lay deep within your family dynamic.
One thing that is arguably the most important thing to bear in mind is that addiction is a family disease. It affects not only the person who is actively using but the entire family unit. You should never discount your family’s involvement in your loved one’s addictive behaviors or patterns. Everyone plays a part.
After Completing Addiction Treatment Programs
Once they’ve crossed the finish line of their residential addiction treatment, you may think your loved one is all better. In a way they are but, it is important to remember that recovery is a cross country run, not a 100 meter sprint. You know that saying, slow and steady wins the race? Totally applies here.
Your loved one may be a total grump some days – and that’s okay. Don’t treat them like they are so fragile – treat them as you would treat anyone that you love. That is how they will feel supported and loved – if you treat them in this way.
Try not to be too overbearing. Your loved one made it through treatment and in the process they made new friends and are starting to build their own little support network. It doesn’t all fall on you to make sure they stay on track because they now have a whole group of people who are in the same space as they are to help them through the tough stuff as well as everyday things.
Our family program is a strong component to the recovery of many of the residents at The Discovery House. Each Saturday, we welcome families into our facilities for our multifamily group sessions as well as individual family consults to provide information and resources on how to be supportive during your loved one’s recovery. We encourage family togetherness, and we work with individuals and families to help address underlying issues that have contributed to the addiction.
If you are in recovery, how have your loved ones supported you? How could they have done better? Sound off in the comments below or via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
If someone you love is struggling with a substance abuse problem, call us today at (818) 452-1676 and the treatment specialists at The Discovery House will help you to begin your path to long-term recovery.