In drug rehab, your loved one is working to make improvements physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
For these changes to last, other areas of their life need to change simultaneously, including their family relationships and home environment.
Whether or not you realize the extent of it, addiction has taken a heavy toll on your family.
Some unhealthy patterns may need to be addressed before lasting recovery can become a reality.
Family involvement before, during, and after drug rehab is essential.
But certain types of involvement are not helpful and can actually make the situation worse.
Here are five ways to play a positive role in your loved one's recovery: 1.
Set and Enforce Boundaries During drug rehab, particularly in the early days, your loved one may beg and plead to come home.
They may have a laundry list of complaints about how they feel and how they're being treated, and will likely go through at least one phase when they believe they've overcome addiction and are ready to go on with life.
This is the denial, fear, and rationalization of addiction talking, not them.
This is an important time to set and enforce boundaries.
Lend a sympathetic ear and work together to solve any problems, but stand firm in your commitment to seeing treatment through.
When you and the treatment team work together to send the message that treatment is essential and non-negotiable, your loved one is more likely to complete the program, which in turn increases their chances of lasting recovery.
After your loved one returns home from drug rehab, have a plan in place in the event of a relapse.
Although you do not want to withdraw your love and support, you'll need to set boundaries around the behaviors you will not accept and refrain from falling back into codependent or enabling patterns.
2.
Participate in 12-Step Support Groups You've probably been trying to help your loved one for a long time.
Some of that help was effective enough to get them into drug rehab, but some of it may have been unintentionally destructive.
Twelve Step support groups can help you understand your role in your loved one's addiction.
Perhaps you have unwittingly enabled the addiction by giving your loved one money, bailing them out of jail, giving them a place to live, or protecting them from the consequences of their addictive behaviors in other ways.
Maybe you have spent so much time trying to control the behavior that you've lost yourself (codependency).
Those patterns can be unlearned with guidance and practice.
Twelve Step support groups such as Al-Anon are free, anonymous meetings for loved ones of addicts and alcoholics.
Addiction specialists highly recommend that you attend as many of these meetings as possible.
They will introduce you to healthier coping strategies and combat isolation, showing you that others share similar struggles and have prevailed in the face of tremendous obstacles.
3.
Get Involved in the Family Program Most quality drug rehab centers offer a family program.
Whether it occurs once during your loved one's stay or numerous times, attend as often as possible.
During this time, you may be invited to participate in family therapy, multi-family group sessions, and educational talks about the disease of addiction.
In addition to learning valuable information, your involvement sends an important message to your loved one that you are in this together.
If you're able, write letters of encouragement and be available for phone calls.
During this vulnerable time, try to keep conversations positive and supportive rather than discussing problems at home or airing grievances.
4.
Practice Self-Care When all of the focus is on getting an addict into drug rehab, there's a good chance you've ignored many of your own needs for quite some time.
What goals have been pushed aside because of your loved one's addiction? Take this time while your loved one is getting treatment to reconnect with yourself, rebuild your social support network, and reinvest in work, hobbies, or other interests.
Also make sure you schedule time for yourself and your own needs and responsibilities after your loved one returns home.
Supporting their recovery is important, but taking care of yourself has to be a priority.
5.
Prepare for Your Loved One's Return Home When your loved one comes home from drug rehab, they will look, act, and feel different.
If you've been attending Al-Anon meetings and family therapy sessions, there's a good chance you will, too.
In preparation for your loved one's return, make sure home is a stable and supportive environment with minimal stressors and no drugs or alcohol.
If the drug rehab center has recommended extended care or a sober living environment, encourage your loved one to continue treatment.
Be patient with your loved one and give them the time and space to attend as many 12-Step meetings as they need and help them follow through on their aftercare and relapse prevention plans.
Keep an eye out for relapse triggers, encourage them to share their feelings, and lend your support as often as you can.
Most importantly, have faith.
After all of the lies and disappointments fueled by your loved one's addiction, you may feel you have nothing left to give.
But your loved one needs your support during this critical stage of recovery.
You already have a few "wins" under your belt in the battle against addiction and there are many more to come.
Finding the strength to be there now can make a lifetime of difference.