Recovery is an individual’s process of fighting addiction and coming back to a state of health that allows them to live life well. It is done to prevent relapse and is made up of many factors, such as supportive family members, friends, and partners. Recovery is not a one-person task. It takes the support of those around you. Most importantly, it takes time and patience for all involved parties, those recovering from addiction and their loved ones who support them through this struggle. These are ways your family can help you recover from an addiction.
Letting Go Of Old Habits
Participating in old habits, such as drinking or drugging, is often a big trigger for addiction. It is vital for those recovering from an addiction to realize that old behavior has hurt their loved ones, and it will take time to heal those wounds. Recognizing the destructive nature of your past habits can help you put that behind you and open yourself up to new coping mechanisms.
Forgiveness
The most important relationship factor in recovery success is forgiveness. Many people who have been addicted to drugs or alcohol may have hurt their family members by using them at first. Still, more often than not, a misunderstanding becomes the catalyst for the relationship being strained. When your family forgives and supports you through recovery, you have taken a major step towards re-establishing the relationship. It is best to have a clear conscience as you work on your recovery so the forgiveness of those around you can make this process smoother.
Active Participation
Your family needs to participate in your recovery process actively. It can mean sitting down with you and discussing what happened and how they feel about it or how you feel about the situation. Or it could mean implementing a plan of action for getting through recovery together one day at a time. There are many ways they can support you through recovery, but the most important thing is to give them that opportunity. Having them be there through the whole process is crucial for your recovery, and it can mean the difference between success and failure.
Accountability
Partners or friends who have been sober for a long time can offer accountability to help you stay on track in your recovery. It is especially useful when people who have not experienced recovery are providing support as they may not fully understand the issues and struggles of substance abuse. Having accountability mechanisms in place helps solve many problems and ease stress and anxiety during the recovery process.
Motivation
Having someone who can motivate you and offer support when you need it most is critical. Many people who go through recovery find motivation in their family and how they are helping them. In addition to this, many family members encourage their loved ones as they face struggles that come with the territory of addiction. Having a support network offers hope, empathy, and motivation during recovery. Your family can help you find essential qualities in your ongoing fight against addiction.
Self-forgiveness
It is critical to help your family understand that you need to forgive yourself before truly being able to forgive others. It is a significant part of the recovery process, which many people find hard to do. Accepting your own mistakes and how you are responsible for them and understanding why you made those mistakes will allow you to be better prepared for the next step in your recovery. It also helps develop positive ways of coping with an addiction and the negative emotions that lead to it.
Encouragement
In recovery, encouragement from others can be a powerful tool to help you positively achieve your goals. Knowing that your family is watching and supporting you can make all the difference in your recovery journey. Having positive words of encouragement from those around you will help keep your head held high as you pursue recovery and continue with life without drugs or alcohol. In conclusion, it can be hard for those who love someone who has a substance abuse issue to know how to help them. It is not often that people are told what to do when they have never gone through it themselves.
There are many ways that your family can support your loved one through recovery. It is also important for you and others around you to educate yourself on what recovery entails so that you don’t inadvertently sabotage their progress or make things more complicated than they already are. To better understand how to help a family member during their recovery, call 732-392-7311.
