If your loved one is in recovery, remain positive and non-judgmental. It takes hard work and determination to make a lifestyle change. Remain supportive of your loved one and encourage their success in recovery. Supporting a loved one in recovery is not the same as enabling.
It takes time for your loved one to adjust to a new, sober lifestyle, and he or she might encounter some challenges along the way. It is common for a person battling an addiction to feel ashamed, helpless, or even guilty. Being supportive will make staying sober easier for your loved one.
Watching a loved one struggle with addiction is heartbreaking. Although family and friends want to help, nobody can force a person into recovery. Compassion is the key to helping someone with an addiction problem.
It can be difficult for family and friends to understand the craving their loved one faces on a daily basis. Addiction alters brain chemistry and makes the brain physiologically and physically dependent on the drugs or alcohol to function. This makes the brain crave the drugs or alcohol to feel normal. When the drug or alcohol use ends, the person can experience unpleasant withdrawal symptoms until the substances are used again.
Having a positive support system is helpful in so many ways. At first, it might not seem possible, but recovery does and will happen. Addiction is not curable, but it is treatable. People take different paths on the road to recovery. Treatment is not “one size fits all” or packaged the same for everyone. It is tailored to each individual’s unique needs.
What your loved one needs is a loving, nurturing, and supportive network to encourage his or her sobriety. Positive reinforcement and encouragement play a huge role in helping your loved one stay sober. Be a motivational voice to your loved one throughout recovery. Support, influence, and loving-kindness will help your loved one on their journey to a new, healthy, sober lifestyle.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, get help today. Make the lifesaving decision to get treatment and enjoy a new lifestyle in sobriety.
Cypress Lakes Lodge specializes in addiction treatment and is located in a serene, remote, lush-green, oxygen enriched environment. The program encompasses holistic addiction therapy and offers yoga and meditation for the mind, body, and soul. The focus is on physical, mental, and emotional well-being by generating the balance of life-enriching treatment, wellness, and healthy, sober, sustainable relationships. Call us to get started: 409-331-2204