Addiction is a challenging disease that affects every aspect of your life, including your relationships with friends and family members. When someone you love is struggling with addiction, it can be tough to know how best to offer support or if it is safe to be around them when they are under the influence. You might worry about whether or not your loved one will use drugs or alcohol again or not know how to help them without upsetting them. Offering your support to loved ones in addiction treatment programs can play an essential role in assisting them to get through the process.
At Promises Brazos Valley, we understand that offering addiction recovery support to someone you care about can be hard if you do not know what to say or do. We are here to help you and your loved one get through addiction together and learn how to navigate a healthier, sober lifestyle. Give us a call at 979.426.0086 to learn how we can help your loved one recover and what you can do to support them through it.
How to Support Addiction Recovery for a Loved One
As much as you want to help a loved one enrolled in addiction treatment programs, you may not know how to do so. You may be worried about saying the wrong thing or not doing enough to help them. Here is what you should know about addiction recovery support so you can feel more comfortable and confident about helping a loved one through addiction treatment:
- Be respectful and avoid judging. The first step to helping someone in addiction treatment programs is respecting their choices, behaviors, character, past, and future. Do not judge their feelings or thoughts, even if you cannot relate to them. Although the addiction may have harmed your relationship with them, it is important to accept what has already happened and stay focused on healing and moving forward to a better future.
- Let your loved ones know you are there for them but try not to be overbearing. When you are offering addiction recovery support, it is all about balance. You want to let your loved ones know you are there to talk to whenever they need you and will encourage you. But you do not want to micromanage their behaviors or hover over them.
- Encourage them to stay on track with their addiction treatment. Sometimes they doubt themselves and their ability to recover, so they may rely on you to provide unwavering support and encouragement. Point out all of their recovery accomplishments, no matter how small.
- Be an empathetic listener. In addition to offering support, you should lend a listening ear and be fully present when your loved one wants to talk. Try not to interrupt, judge, or give advice. It is important to remember that when someone is talking about their addiction, they are revealing things that are difficult for them to share with others. They may not have spoken about their struggles before and still feel embarrassed or ashamed of their shortcomings.
In addition to the above tips, you can offer your loved ones support by giving them rides to their treatment sessions, helping them remember to take necessary medications, and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits.
What You Should Know About Addiction Recovery Support
Understand that recovery is a long-term process, and you cannot fix your loved one’s addiction. Addiction treatment programs are the most effective way to treat addiction, and you should not try to take on this responsibility on your own. Support your loved one’s efforts in recovery, but keep encouraging them to stick to their treatment program.
Promises Brazos Valley: Texas Addiction Treatment Programs for Your Loved One
Overcoming addiction requires an abundance of support. Knowing how to support addiction recovery can help you empower your loved ones without enabling them. If you need help supporting someone you care about through addiction recovery, reach out to Promises Brazos Valley at 979.426.0086.