RehabFAQs

how to support a friend going through rehab

by Dr. Marcelle Nienow Jr. Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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How to Support A Loved One While They Are Going through Rehab

  • Give encouraging phone calls.. One of the easiest things that you can do is to call your loved one and to show them that...
  • Send letters, cards, and care packages.. Getting a letter or card with a handwritten note can brighten any person’s day.
  • Educate yourself on the nature of addiction.. It is a good idea to...

Full Answer

How can I help my loved one in rehab?

May 10, 2018 · Here are some tips about how to support a friend through rehab. Encourage Their Step Forward First of all, always encourage them for having the courage to actually get help. It’s not easy for a person to admit that they have a problem that they are powerless to fight against, but that’s exactly the position that addiction puts people in.

What happens when a loved one goes to rehab?

Dec 17, 2021 · How to Support Your Loved One in Rehab Educate Yourself on Your Family Member’s Addiction. It is easy to think you know what addiction is like, but unless you... Understand Why Contact with You Is Limited at First. Strict medical privacy rules prevent drug rehab facilities from... Participate in ...

Can I seek support while in rehab?

Nov 29, 2018 · How Friends Can Be Supportive. Friends can be supportive in so many ways. First, they can encourage and cheer the addict on. They can allow the recovery process to work as slowly as it must for the continued abstinence of their friend. They can read and educate themselves about recovery and addiction.

Do you know the best encouraging words for someone in rehab?

Jan 01, 2020 · How to Support a Friend Who Just Got Out of Rehab Understand that it may be difficult.. Your friend will probably experience a lot of emotional ups and downs as they... Don’t drink or use around them.. This should be a given, but some people need a reminder. The first year of sobriety is... Invite ...

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What do you say to a friend who is out of rehab?

8 Things to Say to Someone in RecoveryI Love You. ... You're Not Alone. ... Everyone Needs Help Sometimes. ... How Are You Feeling? ... How Can I Help? ... Let's Hang Out. ... I'm Proud of You. ... I Know You Are Struggling, But There's Always Hope.May 29, 2019

How do you help someone who is recovering?

10 Tips For How To Support Someone In Recovery From AddictionCheck in on them and actively listen. ... Reduce friction and unnecessary arguments. ... Encourage healthy habits. ... Don't judge. ... Encourage and support them. ... Practice patience. ... Educate yourself on addiction and recovery. ... Set healthy boundaries.More items...

How can I help a family member in recovery?

Below are some strategies to support a loved one's recovery:Show non-judgmental love and support. ... Encourage your loved one to maintain healthy habits. ... Encourage them to take part in treatment by doing so yourself. ... Promote recovery by creating a sobriety conducive home. ... Take care of yourselves as a family.More items...•Oct 14, 2019

Can you send pictures to someone in rehab?

Be careful not to depict, either through a letter or a photo, people or situations that are associated with substance abuse. If it is appropriate, mention that you have been in communication with the staff at their facility. This reiterates your commitment and displays that you have an interest in their recovery.

What do you say to someone in physical rehab?

Reassure your loved one that recovery takes time and remind him how far he's come. When he says, "I wish I didn't need help just to walk to the end of the driveway," tell him, "But a week ago, you couldn't even walk out your front door."Sep 15, 2016

How are you recovering reply?

Thank you for wishing for my fast recovery. I'm fine now and doing quite ok. I'm grateful for the get-well message you sent. Thank you for your support.Nov 16, 2021

How important is family in recovery?

Those individuals with family support and involvement throughout their recovery may be at a lower risk of relapsing after treatment. This is because the family is often educated about addiction, its causes, triggers, and other important factors that can help to navigate the recovery process.Oct 19, 2020

Encourage Their Step Forward

First of all, always encourage them for having the courage to actually get help. It’s not easy for a person to admit that they have a problem that they are powerless to fight against, but that’s exactly the position that addiction puts people in.

Be There to Talk

It’s important to remember that you can’t do everything for this person. Even if you helped them get to the point where they accepted going to rehab, this is a journey that they must work through and choose to take on their own accord. What you can do, though, is always be there to talk with them.

Get Help for a Friend, Today!

If you have a friend who struggle from addiction, then understand that it is important to seek treatment sooner, rather than later. Dependency for illicit substances is something that only grows, and addiction creates a self-perpetuating cycle that is difficult to break.

Best Tips On How to Help A Friend Get into Rehab

Having an alcoholic friend is never easy, especially when it comes to convincing him or her to enter drug and alcohol rehab. But as a good friend, you should do your best to convince him or her to take plunge.

Be caring, because care beats threats

There are times that you are frustrated with the behavior of a pal who has been addicted to drug or alcohol, and it is very hard to show any sympathy or love.

You can offer help, but not money

As a friend, you always know the best way to comfort your buddy, and a good rule to follow is to offer your time and effort, but no financial aid, because it may go toward feeding their addiction. Let them know you can assist them with anything that has to do with getting them to rehab or improving their lives.

Pull them out of denial

Individuals who are addicted to drugs and alcohol rarely admit that they have a problem because they don’t want to believe that there’s anything wrong with them. But if they’re going to get into drug rehab addiction recovery, they must first accept that the problem exists.

Keep love coming

It takes a lot of courage to seek addiction treatment and your loved one will undergo a lot of pain and distress before reaching that point. So acknowledge to your buddy that he or she has been through a lot, and continue to be caring about them while they are so vulnerable. Your continual support them will mean a lot to them.

Help them get a diagnosis

There are chances that your loved one’s addiction is accompanied by another mental illness like depression or anxiety. You can aid them find a treatment professional or therapist that can give them a proper diagnosis, in order for them to find the right type of drug addiction rehab centers.

Choose a drug rehab

Finding the right drug rehab for your loved ones may be difficult. You can support your friend by researching addiction rehab centers in New York, and finding one that is comfortable for them, and will provide the best treatment.

How does privacy affect drug rehab?

Strict medical privacy rules prevent drug rehab facilities from sharing information about people going through rehab. Many facilities minimize contact with the “outside world” for a period of time at first so that patients can focus solely on detoxing and taking the first often-scary steps toward sobriety. Once your loved one is allowed to contact you, do not take it personally if it takes a while for him or her to do so. The addict may still experience fear and shame, and you can take your cues from your loved one about the best things to talk about to be supportive, whether that is news from home, baseball scores, or some topic or hobby that is important to him or her.

Why is family involvement important in substance abuse?

Family involvement encourages treatment completion, improves family and social functioning, and reduces the chances of relapse.

Is a syringe a therapy?

It is not therapy, but will allow you to express your concerns, ask questions, and learn more about addiction, addiction treatment, and what factors help with success.

Do addicts blame themselves?

Some family members and friends blame themselves, or wonder what they could have done to prevent someone from developing a full-blown addiction, but there is no point in self-blame. The factors that contribute to drug addiction are too complex ...

What Friends Need to Understand

Being supportive can be difficult for the friend who is not recovering. They may have experienced the end of the addicts' using days and the debilitation that goes with the bottom the addict came to before recovery began. This is a painful and difficult transition to navigate.

How Friends Can Be Supportive

Friends can be supportive in so many ways. First, they can encourage and cheer the addict on. They can allow the recovery process to work as slowly as it must for the continued abstinence of their friend. They can read and educate themselves about recovery and addiction.

What happens when you finish addiction treatment?

When a person finishes up addiction treatment they can have a difficult time readjusting to their new life. Many people mistakenly believe that all of the work happens during time spent in rehab. While there is a lot of self-reflection and growth that occurs during the addiction treatment process this is only the very beginning ...

How long has Julie been in the addiction field?

She worked in the addiction field for 8 years and now uses both her personal and professional experiences with addiction as an influence for her writing.

What is the first year of sobriety?

The first year of sobriety is usually the most challenging, being around people who are drinking makes it even worse. Even if your friend says they don’t mind if you drink around them, don’t do it. Chances are they are just saying that because they don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable or feel like a burden.

How to help someone in recovery?

Remember, you can help your loved one by something as simple as providing a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen when they’re in need. Small words of encouragement can go a long way in someone’s recovery and sobriety. For example, remind them that you love them and are here any time of day.

What is the role of a therapist in recovery?

A therapist will be able to discuss your feelings and emotions, as well as guide you in the best ways to support their recovery. The choice to go into recovery is a big deal for everyone who does it.

Is alcoholism a disease?

Instead Say: “Alcoholism is a disease, and it’s not your fault. I was by your side during treatment, and I’ll continue to be by your side through every step of your recovery.”. Your loved one’s dangerous alcohol use is a disease. It does not make them any less of a person. Rather than criticize, focus on healing.

What to do after substance abuse treatment?

Although rehab is a powerful step for someone struggling with substance use, it’s what they do after treatment that will be most crucial to their long-term sobriety. Friendship and support is essential to this process, but many times people don’t know how they can help someone in addiction recovery, especially if they don’t have a substance abuse ...

What do you need to know about recovery?

Especially in the early stages of recovery, a newly sober person may begin experiencing thoughts and emotions they previously tried to avoid through substance use. Asking non-accusatory questions or just simply listening can help them work through their own issues and break down the barriers in your friendship.

When do relapses occur?

Unfortunately, relapses do happen – they typically occur within the first year of sobriety. Before your friend reaches the low points of their addiction again, learn the warning signs of a relapse and what actions you can take if you see this occurring.

Is recovery a sprint or a marathon?

Recovery is a marathon and not a sprint. People who make mistakes in the recovery process are only human, so it’s important for them to know that, as a true friend, you will support them as long as they remain committed to getting better.

How to help someone in rehab?

Take care of yourself. You cannot be constantly engrossed in someone else’s addiction recovery, even when it is someone you love. Take time out for recreation, rest, fun and emotional release. Supporting a loved one’s transition from rehab back home is a major undertaking.

What to do when someone comes home from rehab?

When your loved one comes home from rehab, he may still be working on his communications skills, and you can help with that. Have a calm and open conversation about how you would like everyone in the household to behave. Come to an agreement on some ground rules.

Why do people go to rehab?

Rehab can be an intensely personal experience in which people delve into emotions that have been buried for years. Usually, the reason he or she buried those emotions is because they were too painful to face. Rehab requires people to deal with these emotions and understand how they affect their behavior, but sharing those rehab experiences with anyone outside the program can be impossible.

What happens when a family member goes to rehab?

When a member of your household suffers from addiction, the entire family is affected. Helping your loved one make the decision to enter rehab is the first step of healing for everyone involved. After rehab is over, and your family member is ready to return home, there is still more work to do. Now you and the rest of the family will be involved in the continuing success of the addiction recovery program.

How to help an addict in rehab?

In rehab, addicts learn the importance of being open and honest. Do not keep secrets from your loved one because you think it is better not to talk about certain topics.

What is addiction recovery?

Addiction recovery is about striking a new balance in life after rehab, taking control of your own actions and letting go of the need to control things outside of yourself. Your loved one is working on their internal acceptance, and will then have to figure out how to rebuild relationships with others.

Can a loved one come home after detox?

Your loved one has successfully completed detox and rehabilitation, so he or she can come home and work on the next stage of recovery. He learned a lot of things about addiction and himself, and started building a new self-relationship – one that is healthy and realistic.

What happens when you get sober?

When an individual gets sober, he or she learns how to confront suppressed feelings and uncomfortable triggers. In other words, people learn a whole new way of living. Such changes, undoubtedly, have their obstacles.

What is addiction in family?

Addiction represents a family disease. That means every member plays a part in the dynamic. By learning to identify your part, you can learn how to set healthier boundaries for yourself and with your loved one. Believe it or not, many people in rehab wish their families or friends would obtain their own support.

What does it mean to be nonjudgmental?

Providing a nonjudgmental space indicates that it’s safe for your loved one to be honest with you. Ask your loved one what they’ve found challenging. You don’t need to provide direct advice, but you should be willing to listen. In addiction treatment, there’s a common expression that secrets keep you sick.

Is addiction a complicated problem?

It’s often wrapped in layers of deceit, shame, and denial. There’s a good chance that you don’t know the true extent of how much your loved one has struggle d.

Is addiction a medical condition?

Addiction is a chronic disease and a medical condition. Relapse, therefore, can be a part of the recovery process. Furthermore, both physical and psychological dependence play a significant role in maintaining addiction. Most people with addictions have the desire to stop using or drinking.

Is it easy to get sober?

Just like getting sober isn’t easy, choosing to attend treatment isn’t easy, either. After all, reaching for help requires setting aside some pride and ego to make such a big decision. Addiction can impact every area of one’s life. Taking the step to challenge that status quo is brave. It’s also incredibly scary!

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