You took the plunge and convinced your loved one to get the help they needed for their substance abuse addiction at a reputable drug rehab centre. Now, they are coming home, and you are not only a little scared they might go back to drugs, but you’re not sure how to help them continue their recovery either.
It’s important to note that when a loved one comes home from rehab, it doesn’t only affect their lives, but the lives of their family members as well. Your family will be feeling a mix of emotions. While everyone just wants things to return to normal, recovery is a long, hard road and the process is a lifelong one. When your loved one comes home, they are not going to be cured, because once you are an addict, you will always be an addict. The best you can do is be patient, love them, and follow the tips below to help them and yourself after rehab.
Set up therapy
The first thing you want to do is set up therapy sessions with a reputable therapist in Manhattan for your loved one, yourself, and your family. Dealing with addiction isn’t only hard on the recovering addict, it’s hard on the family that takes care of and loves them as well. A good therapist will help all of you cope with this new normal in your lives and help your loved one from regressing as well.
Do your research on addiction and recovery
The more you learn about what your loved one has, and is, going through, the better you can help them when they get home. Addiction is a disease and your doing research will help all of you to cope. Make sure to read about the specific program your loved one is going through at the rehab center you have chosen. Contact the rehab center and ask them if there is anything else you need to do to prepare for your loved one coming home. They may not be able to help much, but they will help all they can.
Put yourself in their shoes
Remember your loved one has gone through major mental, emotional, and physical changes since they have been gone. Now that they are coming home, it’s yet another huge transition for them. Considering what your loved one has been through will help you be more patient and loving when they do come home. They may be withdrawn and depressed the first few days, as they get used to being home and living a drug-free existence.
Outline your expectations and consequences in advance
It will be useful for you and your loved one to sit down and discuss what is expected of him when he comes home. Planning in advance and making it clear to him what is going to be expected is the best way to prevent problems on down the line. Things like setting a curfew, according to the age of your loved one, what is expected, and what the consequences will be if he returns to his previous drug use should be discussed ahead of time. Make it clear that you’re not trying to be his jailer, but you are determined to help him, and will not have your family being upset should he not meet the expectations you’ve set down.
These are just a few of the ways that you can help your loved one when they come home from rehab. Being a recovering addict isn’t easy on the addict or the family. It’s going to take time, dedication, patience, and a lot of love.
