Drug and alcohol addictions are hard to overcome. Going into a facility can be a challenging process that requires time to adjust. While many people often empathize with the addict, the toll addiction takes on family can often be overlooked.
If your loved one is currently in a rehabilitation program working on conquering their addiction, being away from them can be tough. It’s especially hard if you can’t contact them or see how well they’re doing. Here are some coping strategies you can use in trying times.
Educate yourself.
At some point, your loved one will be back home. You’ll want to learn as much as you can to help them stay on their recovery journey. For instance, understanding the cause of addiction can give you the empathy necessary to care for them. It’s also a great way to learn and establish healthy boundaries, especially if they live with you.
Remember they’re safe.
When your family member is in a facility, it may be hard to relax knowing they’re isolated from their support system. It’s equally frustrating when you cannot call the staff for progress updates. The truth is, this is what they need to make a healthy recovery.
They’re surrounded by people who specialize in helping people with various addictions get clean. They’re also surrounded by peers who understand what it’s like to battle addiction and offer additional support. Whenever you’re concerned, remember they’re in a safe environment working on getting well.
Visit when you can.
When your loved one first enters treatments, it’s uncommon that you’ll have much contact with them. Their mandatory isolation from the outside world allows them to focus on the recovery process. However, there is a time within the process where you’ll be allowed to visit them. Take advantage of these scheduled visits. They give you opportunities to spend quality time but also motivate your loved one to make progress and return to the people they love most. Facilities typically offer family workshops that give you the tools to help your loved one stay on the right track and eliminate unhealthy habits.
Seek therapy.
Of course, addiction treatment centers will arm you with tools that improve your personal relationship dynamic with the patient. Keep in mind, this is primarily in support of the person suffering from addiction. By no means is attending family workshops a replacement for personal therapy.
Sometimes, giving support to someone in need takes a larger mental and emotional toll on you than you realize. In order to give quality support, you must prioritize your personal well being. Even if it means taking a temporary step back to handle your own situation.
It may benefit you to research addiction support groups for loved ones. You may even make friends that you can reach out to when you’re having a hard time between meetings.
Set realistic expectations.
As you may or may not understand, treatment does not guarantee that your family member will remain clean. In fact, it can take a while to recover, especially for people who have struggled with drug or alcohol addiction for several years. Once your loved one returns from treatment, they’re coming back to an environment that they’re familiar with. This means they can easily slip back into their old habits. They have easy access to drugs and alcohol as well as the triggers that led them to use in the first place.
Because of this, you have to set realistic expectations. This includes healthy ways to deal with your family member if they relapse. Before you’re overcome with anger, remember:
- Strong habits take time to break
- Smaller wins toward recovery are worth celebrating
- Their relapse is not a failure for them or you
- The road to recovery isn’t always linear
Use these reminders as motivation for you and your loved one struggling with addiction.
It’s always a positive sign when someone you love decides to conquer their addiction. Your emotions can also ebb and flow during this process, so it’s important that you find some healthy coping techniques of your own. Don’t be afraid to seek outside support, especially if it helps you provide better care for your loved one.
If you live in the Columbus, Ohio area or you’re willing to travel, contact us about our amazing treatment options today at 833-820-2922.