You’ve likely heard of addiction referred to as a “family disease,” meaning it impacts not just the person in the throes of substance abuse but also his or her loved ones. This means that while recovery is challenging (to say the least) for you, it’s also daunting for family and friends. They may feel guilty or unsure of what to do or say to help support your sobriety. And you can help by learning to communicate your feelings and needs. It’s really a win-win. Helping them is helping ensure that you have the support system in place that you need to endure the ups and downs of recovery.
But where do you start? The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration offers a few suggestions. Take a look and then talk to your counselors or recovery peers for some more ideas.
What Might Help Me:
Consider not only what your loved ones can say but also what they can do when, for example, you’re having a down day or struggling with feelings of guilt, hopelessness, anxiety or intense cravings. Ask yourself:
- Do you want to be held or do you need a little space?
- Can your loved one exercise with you or cue up a funny movie?
- Can you sit together and color or listen to music for relaxation?
- Should your loved ones just listen (without judgment, advice or criticism) or do you want them to reassure you that you’re doing the right thing?
- Can your loved one cook you a healthy meal or take you for some coffee?
What Might Hurt Me:
Now more than ever you need a solid support system, so don’t be afraid to speak up if someone is saying or doing something that could possible jeopardize your hard-won sobriety.
- Does your loved one lose his or her patience or judge, criticize or scold you?
- Does he or she tend to talk “at” you or “down” to you?
- Is he or she trying to do your recovery work?
- Is he or she drinking or doing drugs in front of you?
Our Customized Addiction Treatment
At Complete Harmony, we understand that each person’s addiction history, family dynamics and emotional experiences differ. To this end, we customize care to your personal objectives, religious beliefs and health considerations. To learn more about our holistic addiction treatment, call today: 866-930-4673.
