Words are a powerful way of communicating how you’re feeling. It is also an effective remedy and support system for people undergoing rehab.
Battling substance use disorder or drug/alcohol addiction is a challenging and demanding task. Show your support and love by offering motivation and by saying the right words. Here we take a look at ways you can help your loved one strive for long-term recovery.
Words Have Power- How to Encourage a Loved One in Therapy?
The best way to connect and encourage a loved family member or friend in drug rehab is by being genuine, supportive, and loving. However, it doesn’t hurt to plan out what you want to say to support, motivate, and help them strive for long-lasting recovery.
Carefully selected expressions of love are priceless and helpful in communicating your support and love in an effective and meaningful way:
I Love You
Individuals in rehab often suffer from persistent feelings of guilt, shame, and remorse about how they treated others when they were abusing alcohol/drugs. Subsequently, they may begin to believe that they’re unworthy and undeserving of love.
Keep in mind that addiction makes a person say things that they do not mean. Also, remember it’s okay to love your family member and friend while hating how they behaved under the influence. Once you acknowledge your feelings, you can move forward with your relationship and communicate that you love them.
I am Here for You
No matter if you’re provided limited contact with your loved one, letting them know that you’re by their side and always available for support can make a difference.
The road to sobriety isn’t an easy one; it’s pretty scary. During this, you’re taught to transform your thinking and behavioral patterns. Not to mention, most people during sobriety experience feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Make sure your loved one knows you’re always there for them to offer them peace of mind during these challenging times.
I am so Proud of You
Just like being sober isn’t an easy task, deciding to attend rehab isn’t easy either. It is difficult and almost impossible to admit that you require professional help and medical treatment to overcome your drug addiction problem.
The fact is that going through drug rehab requires bravery, courage and can affect every aspect of your life. Regardless of whether rehab was initially their idea or not, reaching for help can be tricky since you need to let go of your pride.
Making this monumental decision is likely to have a positive impact on how your loved one views them. Show your support to provide them with a sense of validation to ensure your loved ones that they’ve made the right decision.
Focus on Your Recovery
The social stigma around addiction often leads people to associate drug/alcohol abuse with self-absorbed tendencies. On the contrary, most individuals combating these issues spend most of their efforts on focusing on the needs and happiness of other people.
For instance, a dedicated employee may feel bad about leaving additional work on their coworker. Or a mother may feel guilty about attending treatment because she is going without her children temporarily.
Tell your loved ones that they should focus on recovering first. It means that they should focus only on self-growth, awareness, and self-care. Keep reminding them that they deserve this opportunity.
How Are You Feeling?
People often abuse alcohol or drugs to suppress other mental health issues like anxiety, PTSD, and depression. In turn, professionals at drug rehab centers often curate treatment plans that help treat underlying causes leading to addictions.
Encourage your treasured ones to talk about how they feel to show that you care about their well-being, especially if they’re suffering from mental health complications. It will also help them build effective positive self-care strategies.
Keep in mind that talking to your loved one about how they’re feeling doesn’t mean you need to offer therapist-level replies. Simply share your thoughts from personal experience, or simply hear them out. If your friend or family member in rehab is concerned about a specific issue, you should consider encouraging them to talk to their counselor.
Let’s Hang Out
Loneliness is typical emotion individuals feel during early sobriety. In fact, according to in-depth research, more than 65% of adults over the age of 45 diagnosed with drug or alcohol addiction report feelings of loneliness. It is mainly because people in recovery typically boast of previous friend groups around drugs or drinking.
Show some support and love to your loved ones to validate their belief that you’re with them during their journey.
You can do this by deciding to do some fun, sober activities with your loved one. It includes:
- Going to the gym to enjoy an exercising
- Planning a picnic in a park
- Playing a fun video game or board game
- Reconnecting with nature by taking a walk together
- Trying to cook healthy foods or baking together
- Watching a new movie with them
To Sum it Up
When planning what encouraging statements you should say, you should also keep some no-no in your mind. Avoid saying something potentially offensive or ignorant like ‘do you need to go to rehab?’ Or ‘you should try…,’ your loved one has likely already heard the advice you’re about to offer.
Instead, ask productive questions that promote positive thinking and mindsets. Keep reminding your loved ones that you’re there for them no matter the situation. It offers them the emotional support they require, and your words hold great value for them, whether positive or negative.
If allowed, you can take them for a stroll in the park or a golf game as the natural environment and greenery boost a positive and healthy mood. Engaging with them in such activities will also create motivation to continue their journey to recovery. It will build their confidence and help them find healthy alternatives that make them happy and content.
