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Most people have known at least one person who has had an addiction of one kind or another.
However, this exceedingly common and tragic affliction becomes all the more potent and painful when it is a loved one, who has a drug addiction that has gotten out of control, and they are now in rehab.
It is easy to see this as a bad thing, but it isn’t. They are getting help to get better, and with your help, they will likely soon reach that goal. So, what are some of the steps to take to help them? Read on to find out!
Offer Emotional Help
It’s worth noting here that every person’s journey through rehab is different. So, if you have known one person in the past who went into rehab but now knows someone else who is going through it, it may be the case that their stories and recovery are different.
Whether your loved one is in cocaine detox in MA, opiate detox, or alcohol detox, you should offer them empathy. The experience they are going through is going to be difficult, and they will likely feel vulnerable, so by being non-judgmental, you can help a lot.
Attend Sessions
Addiction rarely occurs in a vacuum, meaning that it is often the result of trauma, which your loved one may be using drugs to run away from
Indeed, many rehab units offer family therapy to aim to identify the underlying causes of dysfunction, and so, by attending these sessions, you can provide insight into the challenges that they have experienced, which will go towards helping them recover.
Learn About Addiction
There is a wealth of information online and in books about addiction, the addiction recovery process, and the substances that are often misused. So, to help yourself help your loved one, it is worth learning a bit about their addiction and how it has affected them.
This will be invaluable when they come out of rehab, as you will have more knowledge to help them stay sober and stay in society without relapsing.
Set Boundaries
When a loved one is in rehab, there will be challenges, especially if they are detoxing from the drug they have been taking. To help keep yourself mentally well through this, you need to set boundaries with them. Be clear about when you will visit them, and how you will help them, as well as highlight the behaviors that you find unacceptable. It is best to put these boundaries in as soon as possible so that they can be aware of them before they go into the detox aspect of a rehab setting.
Take Part In The Aftercare
When your loved one has gone through rehab, you and other family members will likely be called in to partake in the aftercare planning. This is like a care plan in that it sets down how to help them should they relapse, who to call, and so on. Take part as much as you can and be sure to stay in touch with them, too, so they know you are there to help them should they relapse.
