How Family Members can Support the Recovering Addict
Recovering addicts need to have their family for support.
Do you have a loved one who is recovering from drug or alcohol addiction? Addiction has been known to cause significant strains on families and can be a very difficult situation to deal with. When a family member is recovering from addiction there are some things that you can do to help out and support the recovery efforts of a loved one.
Recent studies have found that those recovering from addiction have a significantly better chance of maintaining sobriety when they are supported at home. The family members and relationships that recovering addicts have with their loved ones can help them to readjust to the demands of recovery and to remaining sober. Here’s a look at what you can do as a family member of someone who is currently in recovery from addiction.
Become Educated
First, start by educating yourself on the addiction and the recovery process. Many rehab centers provide programs for family members to learn more about addiction, the recovery process and how they can help their loved ones to maintain their sobriety. Education is the key to addiction prevention and it’s also the key to helping family members post addiction so don’t hesitate to learn all you can about the addiction your loved one is suffering from. Become an advocate for their sobriety.
Seek Support
Just like the recovering addict needs support from their friends and family members as well as various community based support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, the family members of those in recovery can also benefit from support. Family support groups such as Al-Anon and Nar-Anon can be very beneficial at helping you to cope with the physical and emotional stress that comes with supporting a recovering addict. Additionally, when a family member seeks support, the recovering addict is more likely to seek similar services such as aftercare and recovery support groups.
Provide a Sober Environment
Another thing that you can do to support the recovering addict is to provide a sober environment for them to stay in. If you like to drink, consider not doing so when your loved one who is in recovery is around as an added means of support. If you cannot provide a sober environment, consider helping the family member to make the transition from treatment to a sober living home. Help them find a place to live, a job and support their recovery efforts to the best of your ability by providing help for daily requirement such as childcare and transportation.
Recognize Relapse
Relapse is a common outcome for nearly every recovering addict at some point so it’s important that as a supportive family member you recognize the signs of relapse. If relapse does occur, be prepared to intervene as quickly as possible and provide assistance to get the loved one back on track. This may include placing them back into treatment, having them follow up with a counselor or therapist or providing them with other means of support to get them back on track with their recovery efforts.
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