How to Support a Loved One in Recovery
Loving and supporting someone who is in recovery can be difficult. There are challenges and obstacles to overcome: working through new emotions, not fully understanding what your loved one is going through, and the uncertainty of what may happen as they continue on their recovery journey.
As challenging as it can be, your support is so important. Support from loved ones is important in the recovery process because it shows the person in recovery that they are not in it alone. Having a strong support system shows the person in recovery that they are cared for and provides them with people they are comfortable turning to throughout their recovery journey.
If you have a loved one in recovery, use these tips to support them in a constructive way.
Educate yourself
It is difficult to support someone without a good understanding of what they are facing. While it is impossible for you to understand every facet of addiction and recovery, it is important to educate yourself on the recovery process. Without an understanding of how it works, you may find that you are not setting enough (or any) boundaries and are feeling burnt out.
Consider seeking out local recovery programs, speaking with other people in the recovery community, reading relevant blogs or books, or attending support groups to learn more about recovery. This self-education will allow you to protect your own energy and better relate to your loved one.
Focus on the person, not their illness
It is important to understand that your loved one is a person first and someone in recovery second. They are a person suffering from an illness, which means that they need love and support. Focusing on the person allows you to come alongside them as they fight this illness, rather than holding it against them.
Create healthy boundaries
It is always important to care for your own needs when supporting someone in recovery, ensuring that you are not doing so at the expense of yourself. It is critical to set firm but loving boundaries with your loved one in order to protect your own needs, as well as avoid enabling behaviors that may not benefit their recovery journey. These boundaries can include things you are and are not willing to do with or for them and setting a schedule of when you will or will not take phone calls, texts, or visits.
Be willing to make changes
As you have likely already experienced, sacrifice is involved when you love someone who is in recovery. As challenging as these sacrifices can be, they are one of the ultimate acts of love and can truly impact the success of your loved one in their recovery.
It may be necessary to remove substances from your life, change your routines to add healthy activities, avoid specific people or places that may trigger your loved one, and add healthy coping mechanisms to your life. These changes will limit triggers and increase your loved one’s chances of success.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
It’s okay to realize that your loved one needs more support than you can offer. Encourage personal responsibility on their part and seek out professional help when needed.
If you are feeling burnt out, your loved one is not succeeding independently, a toxic environment or relationship is forming, or either party feels they are in danger, don’t hesitate to seek out the appropriate help. This may be a sponsor, rehabilitation facility, or support environment such as a sober living house. Sometimes, asking for help is the most loving thing you can do!
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Supporting someone in recovery is not without its challenges, but it is possible to continue a loving relationship with someone when appropriate boundaries are set, you continue to care for yourself, and you remain aware of available resources for yourself and your loved one on this journey.
Acceptance Recovery House encourages residents to develop a strong support system. Residents are able to have guests spend time in the house with them and can leave the house to spend time with healthy support people. Would your loved one benefit from a structured sober living environment? Complete an application today.
