How to Support Your Loved One Through Addiction Treatment

Family members have a vital role to play when it comes to women’s addiction treatment.  Women need to feel the support of family members as they seek treatment for drug or alcohol issues.  It is important for family members to learn how to support a female member of the family during Christian addiction treatment programs.  From attending therapy sessions yourself to helping with medications, there is a role for family members to play in the recovery process.  You can help them be successful by learning what roles you can play in their process.

Remember to Take Care of Yourself

While your family member is the actual addict, you have to recognize that you were affected by their behavior and actions.  Because of this, you have to be involved in the treatment process of your loved one.  Educational workshops, family visits, and therapy sessions should all be included when considering women’s addiction treatment.  Family members will need to work on themselves as well as learn how to be supportive of the addict.  It can also help to go through therapy sessions with the addict to be able to better understand what is going on and to be able to help with recovery.  Be prepared to hear things that might shock you or sadden you.  It’s all part of this process.

Providing Support

Providing actual support can be difficult for family members, especially if you have no idea where to start.  Start by understanding that your loved one is in recovery and must take ‘me time’ to be able to focus on what they are dealing with.  Try not to feel neglected or resentful of the time an addict takes for themselves as they must begin to feel emotions and deal with feelings before being able to have a strong relationship with others.

Be there for your family member by educating yourself.  Learn the steps of the recovery process as well as risk factors involved with relapse.  Have an open line of communication with your loved one, helping them to feel comfortable talking with you about anything.  It is important to be patient at this time as you are dealing with an addict who needs to go through a great deal before even being ready to be sober.

Continue to praise the success of your loved one.  Celebrate milestones and even offer to go to meetings with them if it will help.  By simply showing that you are supportive of the actions they are taking will mean a great deal.

Relapses Happen

As a family member, it is important to realize that relapses can happen.  Christian drug and alcohol treatment centers provide quality care but a relapse can happen at any time.  Be supportive of your loved one and help them get treatment once again if a relapse does occur.  Try not to pass judgment on them as it does happen.  Finding a solution that will help them go through the relapse is a better way to approach the situation.  Perhaps a different type of Christian addiction treatment program needs to take place.  Find alternatives to treatment to ensure your loved one receives quality care.

Being supportive means something different to every individual.  Speak with your loved one openly to find out just what they need.  Perhaps they just want you to be willing to listen when they need to talk.  Or maybe they want you to attend meetings or therapy sessions with them at Christian drug and alcohol treatment centers.  Whatever the case may be, make sure you are willing to help to assist in the recovery process. 

This is a guest blog entry.