If your loved one is in recovery, remain positive and non-judgmental. They need encouragement and support from you. When you support a loved one in recovery, it is not the same as enabling. It takes time for your loved one to adjust to a new, sober lifestyle, and he or she might encounter some challenges along the way. It is common for a person with an addiction to feel ashamed or even guilty. Support goes a long way in your loved one’s success.
Although family and friends want to help their loved one, nobody can force a person into recovery. The most significant strategies involve becoming more compassionate toward your loved one. Compassion is the key to helping someone with an addiction problem. There are ways to take care of your loved one without condoning or supporting the addictive behavior (Engel, 2016). Recovery is a lifelong process. Supporting a loved one in recovery requires a lot of love, reinforcement, and motivation to live substance-free.
It can be hard for loved ones to understand the intensity of the constant craving a person with an addiction faces on a daily basis. The individual’s brain chemistry changes and becomes dependent on the drugs or alcohol to function. The brain craves the substance and the person can feel unpleasant withdrawal symptoms until they use the drug or alcohol again. That is why recovery is one day at a time.
Having a positive support system is crucial and helpful in so many ways. At first, it might not seem possible, but recovery does and will happen. People take different paths on the road to recovery – treatment is not “one size fits all” or packaged the same for everyone. It is tailored to the individual’s unique needs.
What your loved one needs is a loving, nurturing, and supportive network to encourage their sobriety. Positive reinforcement and encouragement play a huge role in helping your loved one stay sober. Be a motivational voice to your loved one throughout recovery. Support, influence, and loving-kindness will help your loved one on their journey to a new, healthy, sober lifestyle.
Do not let addiction destroy your life. If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, get help today. Nexus Recovery Services specializes in addiction treatment and encompasses holistic therapy for the mind, body, and soul with a focus on staying active and connected to nature. Our mission is to provide tools and support for every client’s seamless transition into a meaningful and fulfilling life of sobriety. We offer a free and confidential consultation. Call us to get started: 310-881-9151