It takes a lot of courage to start recovery.
It’s a powerful choice that can help you stop numbing pain, anxiety, depression, and a whole bunch of other negative emotions while you learn new coping mechanisms.
Recovery is a challenging journey and it can’t be done alone. Loved ones in recovery play a vital role.
If a loved one can do hard work with the person in recovery, it can lead to the ability to reconnect and create deeper bonds and more trust than before.
This post will go over 5 tips that you can use to support a loved one in recovery.
Read on to learn more!
Practice Empathy
Empathy is much deeper than sympathy. We show sympathy when we relate to some kind of loss, and we reserve it for things like breakups or when a friend moves away.
Empathy essentially means you see someone but just because you can’t feel what they feel, you are still willing to sit and listen to what they have to say. Empathy is imperative for all areas of our lives, but it’s not a perfect practice.
Give yourself some grace when you make a mistake. Give an apology and try again. If you’re willing to show up during hard times in recovery, it shows your loved one stability while trust builds at the same time.
Have Space for Connection
Humans need connections for survival. It can be hard to love an addict, but it’s not about threatening to leave if they aren’t ready for sobriety.
Connect with your loved one by sitting with them, not trying to fix their issues. Showing up and telling them you love them and are here for them is one of the simplest ways of connecting with them. Don’t forget that love is unconditional, but you can still set boundaries. This will keep you from enabling your loved one.
Educate Yourself
Even if you aren’t the one in recovery, it’s important to learn about how drugs and alcohol impact the brain.
Many addicts want to stop, but addiction is a disease. Just like all diseases, it takes time to heal and there are no quick fixes.
However, you are not alone. Loved ones who want to educate themselves can find all kinds of resources like family support groups, Al-Anon, or Families Anonymous.
Get Help for Yourself
Self-care and your mental health are important too. It can be very beneficial to find your own therapist so they can help you process your emotions in helpful ways.
Therapy also provides an opportunity for you to explore your communication styles and personal resentments with an unbiased and judgment-free person.
Forgive Yourself
It’s not always easy to love someone in recovery. It requires a lot of strength and self-forgiveness.
As you support your loved one, you want to avoid placing the blame on anything. People can’t heal alone, and it’s not one person’s fault. Resentments may come up when you’re angry, but take a breath, forgive yourself, and try again.
There is not one set way to support a loved one in recovery. You will make mistakes, but keep showing up and connect with your loved one with empathy and grace. By doing so, you will strengthen your relationships and boost the healing process.
It’s hard to watch a loved one struggle with addiction, but all positive journeys have some amount of challenges. If you’re putting in the work, you’re on course to becoming a stronger, more connected family member for those around you.
Your Road to Recovery Starts Now.
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