Top Tips To Help a Loved One After Rehab
Addiction recovery is a long journey, and going to rehab is just a part of treatment. Family members can help a loved one recover fully at home and learn about treatment and social and mental support for the patient.
Be a Role Model
You can be an excellent example to the patient by living a healthy life. Take a balanced meal, exercise, stay away from drugs and alcohol, have a good night’s sleep, and stay away from people or places that might trigger a relapse.
Avoid Arguments
Conflicts and arguments can lead to stress and contribute to the patient’s relapse. Unnecessary friction can worsen depression and anxiety. Always encourage healthy communication and avoid bringing up issues that may lead to arguments. Be that person a patient can open up to and get assistance.
Learn About Addiction
Addiction is neither a moral failure nor something you ask for. But it is an ailment that affects your mental coordination. Learn how addiction treatment works and how to support a patient.
Provide Medical Support
Addiction treatment doesn’t end after rehab, and patients undergo therapy and pharmacological treatment to clear co-occurring disorders. Accompany them to https://www.infiniterecovery.com/drug-rehab-houston/ and remind them to take medication.
Give Them Space
Recovering patients require their own time to reflect and meditate. Too much involvement in their life may be boring. Give them space for personal issues and be there to offer support and guidance. As time goes by, you can allow them to do their stuff alone, and doing so will encourage them to be independent and make their own decisions.
Take Care of Yourself
Addiction affects the user and close relatives. You may be too much into helping the patient and neglect yourself, resulting in anxiety, stress, and physical exhaustion. Take care of your spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional needs.
Don’t Be Judgmental
Most patients develop self-hate, shame, and guilt during addiction, and some hold to such feelings after rehab. Be patient and avoid judging them. Instead, encourage, and appreciate the step they’ve taken. This will help them see their worth and change their attitude.
Give Them Career/ Work Support
Everyone wants a meaningful life. It is likely the recovering patient lost a job or closed down the business. Encourage them to look for a job or open up a business. You can support them with finances to start all over again. Keeping them busy will help prevent idleness that may lead to relapse.
Encourage Them To Choose Sober Friends
Recovery from addiction entails quitting drugs and lifestyle changes such as choosing new friends. To maintain sobriety, a patient should stay away from drinking friends who may tempt them to relapse, and they should be in the company of people who support their sobriety. So, encourage your loved ones to look for friends who will help them and build a network.
Help Them Build Coping Skills
You can’t always run away from stress. You may experience stress after losses, failed relationships, among others. Help your loved ones to develop stress management strategies to avoid depression, sleeping problems, and anxiety. Talk, listen to them, and help them solve personal issues.
Be Patient
It’s crucial to know; no one changes overnight. Your loved one may still have old habits such as self-neglect and making unhealthy decisions, and the patient might even relapse. So, show them support, care, and encourage them to soldier on.
Recovering from addiction isn’t easy, and patients face many challenges such as relapse, stress, and anxiety. The family needs to support the patient and walk the recovery journey with them. Show them support, love, patience, and avoid arguments.
