Addiction treatment is a complicated and traumatic process for an individual. It can also be stressful and triggering for loved ones. Following best practices, friends and family can help their loved ones during recovery. These best practices include attending family counseling sessions and creating a support network.
Participating in Family Counseling Sessions
Many treatment centers like Pinnacle Recovery Center provide family therapy sessions during addiction recovery’s outpatient or residential phases. In family therapy, a therapist works with clients and their loved ones to help them build healthy relationships and improve communication. Family therapists can also teach members how to recognize and cope with negative family behaviors, such as enabling and codependent patterns, and learn new ways of communicating with one another.
Addiction and mental health issues can wreak havoc on families, leading to anger and despair. Having a support system to rely on and turn to during these stressful times. Families can also participate in a family peer recovery support group, which connects loved ones recovering from SUDs with those who have experienced similar situations. It’s important to note that counselors do not use these meetings to chastise or blame anyone but rather to find solutions for each family’s situation.
Supporting Your Loved One’s Addiction Treatment
Addiction affects everyone in a person’s life and can cause significant strain on relationships, finances, and careers. Family members often try to protect their loved ones from the consequences of their substance abuse, but this can have the unintended effect of enabling them to continue their behavior. Instead, loved ones should learn to let their addicted family member experience the negative impacts of addiction to motivate them toward recovery.
It is also essential for family and friends to focus on their own needs, health, and wellness while helping a loved one recover. They may have to seek help for their unhealthy coping mechanisms or relapses. Contact a trusted addiction professional or therapist for advice on supporting your loved one’s recovery journey. They will be able to explain the different treatment options available for your loved one, including medical drug and alcohol detox, residential rehabilitation, and intensive outpatient programs.
Check-Ins or Calls
While communicating with your loved one about what is happening in their recovery is essential, respecting and supporting their privacy is also crucial. Avoid calling, texting, or messaging them about anything that could be seen as a threat to their recovery. Similarly, if they are struggling with negative feelings or stressors, try to avoid pointing those out to them in an attempt to “help” them. Instead, focus on expressing positive sentiments and encouraging them to make healthy choices.
Research suggests that regular, low-intensity phone check-ins can help improve recovery outcomes. For example, a study found that a 30-minute phone call or text message check-in with a psychotherapist from the patient’s residential treatment program improved 6-month post-treatment alcohol use outcomes compared to a control group receiving no contact. In addition, a study found that high-frequency contact with recovery coaches can positively impact recovery outcomes in individuals with severe drinking problems. Those who received weekly calls with recovery coaches had significantly better 6-month post-treatment alcohol use outcomes than those who received no contact.
Creating a Support Network
Developing social skills not dependent upon drugs and alcohol is essential in recovery. In addition to joining sober support groups, individuals may also want to consider participating in yoga and mindfulness meditation that help promote positive connections with others. Many recovering addicts meet new friends at recovery meetings or other sober events. These relationships are essential for their sobriety as these people understand what they are going through and can offer practical advice for tough days.
Families and friends must encourage loved ones to spend time with sober people and avoid hangouts that could trigger negative feelings. This includes avoiding spending time with people still using drugs or alcohol and attending events where they may be exposed to these substances. In addition, connecting with a group of people interested in serving their community may be a great way to build positive connections and find hope.
