Supporting A Family Member Through Rehab

Your family member has finally agreed to go to rehab, whether you guys held an intervention or they decided it on their own they are finally going to get help. Now it is up to them to work hard to get better but you can also help them get sober by supporting them and here are some easy ways to do so:

Don’t Enable Them

Accept the fact that your family member is dealing with a serious problem but don’t enable them. Stop making excuses and covering for them, giving them mone, a place to live etc. Living in denial will only contribute to the problem and prevent them from getting better. It does not do anyone any good to turn a blind eye to a drug problem.

Insist that the enroll in treatment and get help.

Reassure Them Once Treatment Starts

Your family member will probably be scared or nervous about going to rehab and it isn’t uncommon of someone who checks into rehab to want to or try to check right back out and if they’re over eighteen, they can do that without someone permission.  That all being said, reassure them, let them know that you’re here for them.

Let them know how proud you are of them for seeking help in the first place. Inform them about how the program works and answer any questions they may have.

Support After Completion

When your family member graduates from the rehab program it is a very exciting time. It’s also a very delicate period in which old triggers and cravings could threaten their sobriety. Talk to them, or if they don’t feel comfortable talking to you have them talk to one of their counselors from the rehab or someone they feel comfortable talking to them.

You should also speak to the counselors about the plans after treatment and do what you can to support your loved one with these. For example if they have a goal of getting a job after treatment, you could take them for interviews.

Be Realistic With The Situation

Understand that our addicted family member might have a bad day every now again. Addiction is a problem that can be completely solved but something may cause him or her stress that could lead to some mis-emotion. Keep supporting them and try to get them out of any areas that could potentially cause a slip up.   

This could mean moving, get them out of the area. Now I know this isn’t always financially possible but if it’s an option it’d be smart to do it. This could take away some of their old triggers and they wouldn’t have their old dealers or junky friends nearby. Sure they could get a new dealer wherever they go but changing their environment lowers their triggers and that lowers the chances of them wanting to get a new dealer anyway.

A family member who is addicted needs love and support from family and friends to do well after treatment no matter what type of program they’ve enrolled in. Make sure that your loved one is doing okay and watch for possible indicators that there could be a problem.