You may know someone fighting addiction while working through their recovery journey. You want to help, but you aren’t sure if you should. And if you did, where would you start? Here are ten things to help you support someone through their recovery journey.
Being there
You may not always be asked to help, and that’s okay. Sometimes it is hard for others to admit they need help or that they want help. Letting them know that you are there to support them is sometimes all they need to open up and ask for support.
Self-care
You need to take care of yourself first. By focusing on your mental health and well-being, you will be at your best to support others.
Room to grow
There is always room to learn more in life. You don’t need to be an addiction expert to hear what someone is going through. All you need to do is listen. If the situation feels heavy or you need clarity, find professional support to understand better what they’re dealing with.
Encourage healthy habits
If you are supporting someone in recovery, encouraging living well is essential. Healthy eating, exercise, and activities that focus on something other than their addiction are all equally important pieces to focus on.
Setting boundaries
Establish boundaries to avoid enabling old habits or rule-bending. Setting parameters helps you avoid a situation of deciphering what is or isn’t acceptable or what your limits are before they are reached.
Perseverance
Don’t give up on them. The journey to recovery is long and challenging and may not always feel encouraging. Change is gradual. Ups and downs are part of the process. Keep moving forward and take it one day at a time.
Honesty
Honesty is critical during recovery. Be positive and encouraging while offering constructive feedback or suggestions to help them remain strong. Bringing up yesterday’s problems or reminding them of past failures makes it difficult to confide in you and does not help them move forward towards better days.
Treat them as you usually would
Recovery is a hard enough process without the judgment that goes along with it. Focus on the person and not their addiction. Protecting or compensating for someone can be dangerous and result in relapse. It is essential to hold them accountable for their actions while valuing them for the person they are.
Accountability
No excuses. You care for them, yes, and while a slip-up may seem small, it isn’t. It is crucial to encourage them to be accountable for their actions, promises, or mistakes. You’re there to offer support, and in some instances, guidance, but it is essential to remember that they need to manage errors and milestones for themselves.
Patience
Recovery is a never-ending journey. Remain patient. People make mistakes, and it is vital to be there for them to help get them back on track.
When you need someone to help you gain clarity concerning the battle a loved one faces, the team at Valley Oaks is here for you. Let us help you navigate the road ahead so you can support those you care about most.
