A key to maintaining sobriety after returning home from addiction treatment is being surrounded by loving family and a healthy support system. We all want to be there for our loved ones, but it can often be hard to know how to be supportive (not controlling or judgmental) while holding them accountable at the same time.
At Newgate 180, we have been helping families mend the destruction caused by addiction for 50 years. To help you on this journey, we’ve developed a guide to help you navigate supporting your loved one after they return home from addiction treatment:
Educating Yourself about Addiction
The first step in supporting someone through addiction recovery is to educate yourself about the causes of addiction and the treatment and recovery process. Understanding a loved one’s addiction and the challenges they face will help you provide the support and empathy they’ll need after their residency at Newgate 180. Whether it’s an alcohol, cocaine, marijuana, opioids or a gambling addiction, at Newgate 180, we’re always willing to share resources with anyone looking to learn more about the disease of addiction.
Learning How to Listen and Create a Safe Space
It’s very important to check in often with your loved one and work to create a space where they can speak openly about their feelings, fears and successes without judgement. If they learn that they can trust you to be a listening ear and a safe space, they will more likely come to you for help when they find themselves struggling.
Setting Expectations after the First 30 Days of Treatment
When someone in recovery returns home from treatment, if nothing changes and no new boundaries are set, it is much easier to slip back into old patterns. Once your loved one comes home, it’s important to have a discussion about your expectations moving forward, which you both agree on. These will look different for every family, but may include:
- Regular AA/NA group attendance
- Open and honest communication
- Zero-tolerance for substances in the home
- Financial boundaries
- Ongoing therapy/counselling
Your loved one will also have their own set of boundaries developed with their relapse prevention counsellor as a part of their recovery plan.
Finding Family Support during Addiction Recovery
“You can’t fill someone else’s bucket if yours has a leak”
Supporting a family member or loved one in recovery can often be draining and emotionally taxing, it’s important to remember that you too need support through this process. Your well-being is crucial in maintaining a strong support system for the person in recovery.
Take time for self-care activities that recharge you, whether it’s exercise, hobbies or spending time with supportive friends. Finding support through counselling or Al-Anon Family Groups can also be a great way to get the support and guidance you need.
The Newgate 180 Family Program
At Newgate 180 Addiction Rehab Centre, we believe addiction impacts the entire family, so we’ve developed a Family Program to support the loved ones of our clients for 11 months following their stay with us. This program includes weekly family information sessions, and meetings with your loved one’s Case Manager. We will discuss the impact your loved one’s addiction has had on the family , their accountability and how to support it, and the rebuilding of trust, improving communication and moving forward as a family.
Looking for more support? Contact us today: https://newgate180.com/contact-us/