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No one said recovering from addiction would be easy, but there are some things you should never do if you want to help someone overcome their struggles. Here’s what you need to know when trying to support a loved one in recovery.
It can be challenging to know what to do when someone you care about is struggling with addiction. You want to help, but you don’t want to say or do the wrong thing. There are some things you should avoid if you want to help someone overcome addiction. Here are five of them.
Enabling Them
The last thing you want to do is support their addiction due to your inability to stop yourself from enabling them. This means not doing things that make it easier for them to continue using drugs or alcohol. For example, don’t make excuses for their behavior or give them money to support their habit.
It also helps that you continuously guide them on their road to recovery. This could mean recommending the right healthcare provider. If they are battling substance addiction, help them find a pro that specializes in providing rehab for heroin addiction.
Continue to set boundaries and hold them accountable for their actions. Setting boundaries and making them responsible for their actions will help them realize that their addiction is a problem. This, in turn, can motivate them to seek treatment and make positive changes in their life.
Staying Uneducated About Addiction
If you want to support your loved one effectively, it is crucial that you educate yourself about addiction and recovery. Learn as much as you can about the disease. Find out how it affects those who suffer from it.
Doing so will help you better understand what your loved one is going through and how you can best support them. It will also help you avoid saying or doing things that could unintentionally sabotage your recovery efforts. For example, if you don’t understand the importance of complete sobriety in recovery, you may inadvertently say something that encourages your loved one to drink or use drugs again.
Cover Up or Hide Their Addiction
Some people allow their love for their loved ones to hide their addiction or cover up for their loved one’s addiction. Addiction is a serious disease that needs to be addressed. It’s important to be honest with yourself and others about what’s going on.
Hiding or covering up their addiction will only make it harder for them to get the help they need. It also puts a strain on your relationship and can lead to resentment. If you’re struggling to cope with their addiction, don’t hesitate to reach out for support from a professional or a support group.
Reach out to a professional therapist or counselor who can help you deal with the stress of the situation. There are also support groups available for family members of those suffering from addiction. These groups can provide you with support and advice on how to best support your loved one.
You can also reach out to a local addiction center. They can provide your loved one with the treatment they need to overcome their addiction.
Support Their Sobriety
One of the best things you can do to support your loved one’s recovery is to provide them with a sober and supportive environment. This means not drinking or using drugs around them and not allowing others to do so in your home either. It also means not participating in activities that could lead to relapses, such as going to bars or clubs.
In addition, it’s important that you provide emotional support to your loved one. Be there for them when they’re struggling. Listen to them without judgment and offer encouragement and words of support. Let them know that you’re proud of their progress and are there for them every step of the way.
As much as possible, be there every step of the way. If they are still unstable and tend to get tempted easily, it is best to keep them company. Be their source of strength and inspiration and help remove them from situations that can trigger their addiction.
Give Up on Them
Recovery is a long process, but they can do it with your support. Rarely will someone suffering from addiction enjoy recovery after the first try. The chances of relapse are high, especially for long-term users.
They need your love and support now more than ever. Don’t give up on them just because they relapse. Talk to them about what happened and why it happened.
Help them develop a plan to avoid future relapses. Let them know that you’re still there for them and that you’ll support their efforts to stay sober.
Addiction is a disease, but it can be overcome with treatment and support. By avoiding these five things, you can help your loved one on their journey to recovery.
Helpful resources section:
- Northern Illinois Recovery Center
- Kingsway Recovery Center
- Free By The Sea Recovery Center
- Live Free Recovery Center
- Casco Bay Recovery
- Owl’s Nest Recovery Center
- Luna Recovery Center
- Telstone Behavioral Healthcare center
- Chapters Recovery center
- First city recovery center
- West wind recovery
- Sana lake
