While it would be true to say that a stay at a rehabilitation facility can help completely transform the life of an alcoholic, it is in fact what takes place outside the program that can make the most important difference of all. As far as the professionals at www.dryoutnow.com are concerned, family members and friends of an individual looking to piece their life together can play a significant role in shaping the final result. This makes perfect sense, as even when a comprehensive rehab program has been successfully completed, the person in question still needs to continue along a positive path indefinitely.
For family and friends, dealing with a close one starting a rehab program could be difficult and overwhelming to say the least. But what is often overlooked is how complicated and challenging it could be to then welcome the person in question back at home as help them with their recovery. You naturally would like to do what is best for them, but considering the fact that it is a scenario you have never encountered before, you hardly know where to start. What is worse, you might find yourself questioning whether your actions are making things better or worse, which could be completely counterproductive to say the least.
So for everybody currently facing such a situation in need of some advice, here are some tips from professional counsellors:
1 – Educate Yourself
First and foremost, it is crucial to remember that the reason you are presently at a loss regarding what to do is because you are being faced with a situation you have no experience or knowledge of. That in turn means that if you truly want to improve your capacity to support and help them, it’s in everyone’s interests for you to educate yourself on the subject. It is no secret that fear of the unknown could be much worse than finding out in fact what exactly it is you are facing. Nowadays, there is a wealth of useful information available and there is really no excuse for not using it. From books to online guides to professional consultations and other free resources, the better you educate yourself on the subject, the bigger the benefits for all involved.
2 – Eliminate Alcohol from the Equation
Unsurprisingly, one of the most crucial rules for helping a close one with their recovery at home is to eliminate alcohol from the equation at all times. Considering the fact that it is a particularly challenging time, this could be easier said than done. Removing alcohol from the home is a good place to start, but nevertheless it is important to lead by example in all other aspects of your life. To drink or to be under the influence of alcohol in front of a recovering addict is not only counterproductive, but it’s also during these occasions that your own rationale, reason and decision-making skills might be gravely compromised.
3 – Keep Away from Boredom at All Costs
Generally, boredom is known to be one of the most powerful of all triggers that can cause relapse. The reason is that boredom usually creates a sense of hopelessness and depression, which in turn could make a recovering addict believe there is truly no point even trying. This is intensified by the fact that recovering addicts more often than not suffer a number of unpleasant physical and mental side effects, which could make it very difficult for them to motivate themselves to do anything at all. This is precisely where family members and friends can come together to ensure the person in question never has the time to get really bored.
4 – Take Care of Yourself
While many of the symptoms could be slightly different, you need to realise the fact that the situation you are going through is just as difficult and traumatic as your recovering close one. As such, it is always important to consider the support that is available for people like you – support groups, professional counsellors, online communities and so on. By finding support for yourself, you will be in a much better position to offer proactive and helpful support for your close one.
5 – Watch Out for Relapse Signs
Last but not least, one of the most crucial responsibilities that often fall on the shoulders of family members and friends is that of having awareness at all times of any warning signs and triggers that might lead to relapse. What is important to remember is the fact that you can’t be expected to look after the person in question 24 hours a day and nor should you make assumptions they are surely going to relapse. However, should there be any signs they are very likely to start their prior behaviour, it’s important to bring it up and discuss it openly immediately.
