Rehab doesn’t just affect the person going through it. Loved ones are affected too. Here is how you can supposed loved ones in a rehab program.
Did you know that in 2009 nearly 24 million Americans needed treatment for drug and alcohol addiction? And their need for treatment didn’t stop with them. Addiction doesn’t only affect the abuser. It affects their families and loved ones as well. So that means that in 2009 24 million American families were affected by drug use and rehab. As a loved one affected by addiction, how do you support the addict? We’ll give you some tips on how you can support your loved one while they are in a rehab facility.
Get treatment yourself
Your loved one is currently in a facility for drug or alcohol abuse, now you’re wondering what your next step is. The most important thing you can do is seek treatment yourself. Many rehab centers in Los Angeles offer therapy programs for the families of addicts. Addiction affects the loved ones of the addicted. You may be experiencing feelings of guilt, anxiety, and anger. If you are not healing while the addict is in treatment, you’re not going to be able to support them when they leave treatment. Statistics show that children of addicts are almost 4 times as likely to become addicts themselves. Any children involved should receive the treatment they need as well. You want to make sure that once your loved one leaves rehab that you are also healed.
Get educated
Addiction can be a complex topic. If you are not an addict yourself, it can be difficult to understand how it works. You may have become frustrated with the addict. Why can’t they just quit using? Questions like these are the reason education is key. If you are to support the addict while they are seeking treatment, you have to understand how their addiction works. There are a lot of resources for addicts and their families. Support groups for families of addicts are a great way to get an education on addiction, dependence, and facts about substance abuse. You can also learn how you have enabled your loved one as an addict and how to avoid doing enabling them in the future. Groups such as Al-Anon or Nar-Anon can provide you with the support you will need once your loved one has entered rehab. These groups are a resource to gather support. But they are also a good way to get your feelings out and hear similar stories of addiction. Seeking solace with people who have experienced the same situation can be comforting to know you are not alone. Reach out to rehab centers to see if they have any information or literature that would be helpful.
Speak Positively
Chances are that your loved one won’t be able to contact you much while they’re in rehab. But you may be able to send letters and cards of support while they are attending treatment. Make sure that you are helping them focus on their sobriety, bringing up past issues only hurts them. Threatening them about the future (i.e., if you leave we will do this) only discourages them. Send them encouraging notes that focus only on the here and now of their healing process. Focus on asking them questions about their treatment. Ask them what the facility is like, how their therapists are helping them, or what their goals are. If they begin to detach themselves from the treatment program, refer them to speak with the treatment staff. Always remind them how supportive you are. At this time, they need all the positivity and support they can get from you.
Trust in the process
Rehab is tough. There is no doubt about it. Your loved one is going to be going through a huge life change. If you were a large part of the addict’s life, you are probably worried about their wellbeing. It’s vital you trust the process and believe that they are in the right place. They are with trained professionals who will be able to guide them through this process. They are going to be following an individualized treatment plan. As a loved one of an addict, it can be hard to let go of the reins. But you have to remember that this is the biggest step toward improving their lives, they would not be able to do this on their own.
Live your life
An addict in your life can sometimes force you to forget you have a life yourself. Dealing with their drug addiction can consume your life. Once your loved one is in rehab centers in Los Angeles, you have to remember that your life is also important.
Some ways your life may have been impacted:
- Emotional stress – Feelings of constant worry, anger, and sadness can cause stress on you emotionally and mentally.
- Financial issues – You may have had money stolen from you and bank accounts drained. Chances are you have used your own financial resources to help your addicted loved one.
- Loss of sleep – Worrying constantly can take a toll on your health, too.
- Strained relationships with others – Your focus on the addict has caused other relationships to fail. You may have lost relationships that were important to you.
Take this time to fix the things that have been neglected while you were focusing on your addicted loved one.
Conclusion
Struggling with addiction is difficult. Struggling with a loved one who is an addict is just as hard. If your loved one has gone to rehab centers in Los Angeles, they are one step closer to becoming sober. Now is your chance to heal yourself and be as prepared as possible for your family members return from rehab. Remember to take steps to heal by joining support groups. Make sure you enter yourself in a family therapy program. Educate yourself on the statistics and facts of addiction so you can better understand what your loved one is going through. Don’t forget that you have a life as well. Once you’ve taken steps to healing yourself, you’ll be better able to support your loved one as they heal.
Rehab Centers in Los Angeles: They can help
Do you think your loved one can benefit from a rehab center? Reach out to a certified Los Angeles rehab center for more information. These types of rehab facilities can also provide you with additional resources for your own healing process.
Cassidy Cousens is the founder of 1 Method Center. He’s worked in behavioral health treatment for over 20 years. Cassidy specializes in the Integrated Model of Care and is widely viewed as an expert in behavioral health. To talk with Cassidy call 1-310-254-9479.