Loving someone who struggles with drug abuse or alcohol abuse is difficult. Finding the balance between being supportive without enabling can be a fine line. Being supportive means offering your loved one help without ignoring your own needs. It’s important to always be honest and not make excuses for unacceptable behaviors. Being supportive also means letting go of the past and giving your unconditional love moving forward. Thankfully, there are many things you can do to help support long-term recovery.
Educate yourself about addiction.
The first step you should take to support long-term sobriety is to educate yourself about substance abuse and addiction. Understanding the psychology and science behind addiction helps you see why overcoming addiction is difficult. Empathizing with the psychological aspect of addiction can help you better support your loved one and understand the depth of their journey. Most treatment providers have educational resources for family members that teach them how addiction begins. It’s also important to recognize the signs of relapse and understand the relapse prevention plan created by the treatment provider.
Participate in family workshops.
Most rehab programs offer family workshops that teach you about the dynamics of substance abuse and how family members are affected by addiction. Participating in family workshops allows you to offer input to the rehab counselors so they can learn about family dynamics. Your participation is a sign of support and encouragement for your loved one to complete their treatment program. It’s also an opportunity for the rehab patient to learn how their substance abuse has negatively impacted you.
Substance abuse and mental health issues are often related. The key to effectively treating drug abuse and alcohol abuse is to uncover the underlying causes of addiction. A dual diagnosis treatment plan works to identify any underlying mental health disorders and create a treatment plan that addresses both addiction and mental health. The Hope House offers patients multiple treatment options and programs designed to meet their unique needs. The luxury rehab center offers an executive treatment program, dual diagnosis, and luxury rehab. During the treatment process, patients can undergo behavioral therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and holistic therapies. The luxury treatment centers offer higher-end amenities, access to qualified counselors and specialists, confidentiality, and private rooms. Undergoing addiction treatment that addresses the whole person is the best way to ensure long-term sobriety.
Make changes to help support sober living.
A great way you can help support a recovering alcoholic or drug addict is to create a comfortable environment. Maintaining sobriety in the first months following rehab is crucial. The best way you can support sobriety is to rid your shared home of all addictive substances. Avoid social settings where substance abuse is likely or known to occur. Focus on building new relationships with sober people and strengthen your bonds with existing sober friends. Encourage new healthy habits by participating in substance-free activities together.
A sentimental way to document sobriety progress is to make photo prints of all the best shots taken during your new adventures. Photos are memories that should be cherished and remembered all the time. Shutterfly features online photo printing services that make it simple and fun to turn your best shots into custom prints. Once you upload pictures from iCloud or your hard drive, you can customize everything from print size, paper type, finish, format, and more. With Shutterfly, you can create unique photo collages, personal prints with text, borders, and even frames.
Educating yourself about addiction, participating in family workshops, and making changes to create a comfortable environment are all effective ways you can help support a loved one on the road to long-term sobriety.
