Addiction takes its toll on the entire family. While you may be excited to hear that your loved one is ready to end their addiction, you may also have valid concerns about whether or not their sobriety will last. After all, it’s upsetting to get your hopes up only to have them come crashing down again. Relapse is a serious concern for anyone who struggles with addiction. The right treatment program has solutions that help reduce the chances of your loved one returning to their former habits. You can also do your part as a family to help your loved one prevent a relapse by implementing these strategies.
Support Your Loved One’s Decision to Get Help for Their Addiction
Try to use positive language every time that you talk about your loved one’s decision to seek professional treatment. Your family can use the days prior to them entering rehab to show your support. In addition to providing verbal support, try offering your loved one assistance with these common needs.
•Tour the rehab facility together online or in person
•Find a rehab that fits their needs such as a gender-specific program
•Offer to help pet or child care
•Help them prepare and pack their belongings
Often, it’s the small gestures that count the most. By showing your loved one that you are willing to help out with common tasks as they prepare, you let them know that you value their decision to seek treatment.
Understand the Benefits of Family Involvement for Relapse Prevention
Your loved one’s treatment program is designed to address all of the issues that surround their addiction. Over the past several months or years, their addiction has likely affected your family, and they need a strong family support system to stay strong and help prevent a relapse.
For this reason, you may be invited to attend family therapy sessions at the rehab center. While you may not struggle with addiction yourself, your attendance at these sessions helps your family to learn better ways to heal your relationship. For instance, you can learn how to improve your communication skills as a family so that arguments no longer occur as often.
Reduce Temptation Around the House
Ideally, your loved one should continue with after care services through their treatment program such as counseling that helps them address issues that arise after they return home. Make sure that your loved one has time to attend these appointments. This will help you do your part to reduce temptation around the house. For instance, you can plan drug and alcohol free activities to do with your loved one to keep them busy. Going for a hike or just watching a movie are great ways to bond and reduce cravings.
Relapse Prevention Strategies
Addiction is not a one size fits all disease. Likewise, it requires personalized care in order to overcome. Just like treatment, relapse prevention techniques should be individualized in order to provide the best results. For individuals nearing the completion of their treatment or who have recently finished a program, aftercare is a worthwhile option. Aftercare services are conducted on an outpatient basis and gradually fade out over time as you become more confident in your own ability to maintain your recovery progress. These services incorporate many of the five most used relapse prevention strategies, such as the following:
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy
- Meetings with an addiction specialist
- Psychiatric services
- Community Involvement
The fifth technique above in maintaining sobriety is participation in community based groups. Options such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous offer convenient locations nationwide at various times, so even the most busy individuals can fit them into their schedule. These groups provide a strong network of individuals with long term sobriety as well as people who are relatively new to recovery. They can serve as a support system and help you stay accountable for your well-being. In addition to these benefits, community based groups address a serious concern that people in recovery face– making new sober friends. Spending time with old friends who you may have used substances with in the past can lead to relapse. By being active in a community based group, you can meet like minded individuals and make new friends who are committed to maintaining sobriety.
Families play a vital role in helping their loved ones overcome addiction. Another vital role is when the family understands relapse and how to prevent it. To find more ways that you can help, give us a call today at 844-903-2111