A person with an addiction who seeks treatment will need all the support and encouragement they can get. Therapists, treatment centres, and support groups are a great help, but recovering people with addictions will also need the presence of their loved ones.

How could you help? Learn how to encourage a recovering addict so you can make a positive difference in the life of someone you love. This will enable you to help them make progress on their journey.

Ask them what kind of help they need from you.

Don’t wait for your loved one to ask for your help and support. They might feel too embarrassed to do it. Instead, tell them you would like to help them and ask what kind of help and support they want from you.

Do they need someone to listen to them without judgment whenever they discuss their struggles? Would they like you to ride them to their treatment centre occasionally? Or do they want a friend they can do fun activities with to keep their minds off their problems? Please do your best to provide them with the support they need.

Keep supporting them through their recovery process.

Recovery can be a long and challenging process. Keep in mind that when a person with an addiction comes back home after spending time in an addiction treatment centre, their battle against addiction is not over.

Your loved one will need your support throughout recovery. When things are working well, you should tell them to keep going and congratulate them for their efforts. Above all, they will need you to support them if they relapse. In addition, they will need you to remind them why they decided to seek treatment in the first place.

Remind them that their addiction does not define them.

Addiction is a disease. During your loved one’s recovery process, you might need to remind them that this disease does not define who they are as a person.

You can encourage and support them by reminding them why you care for them and enjoy spending time with them. If possible, help them reclaim the dreams and life goals they might have pushed aside because of their addiction. Their personal values, personalities, talents, and strengths define who they are, not their addictions.

Help them create a sober environment in their home.

Your loved one might need help transforming their home into a sober environment and avoiding triggers. Make sure there is no more alcohol and drugs in their home, and help them remove any items that remind them of their addiction as well. If they spend time in your home, it should also become a sober environment.

You should help them avoid places or situations that might be triggering and could cause relapse. Recovering from addiction is challenging. But you can help them.

Spend time exercising with them.

Encouraging them to stay sober is helpful, but it’s even better if you encourage them to become healthier.

If you feel comfortable doing so, help them make healthy lifestyle choices. Addiction has probably affected their mental and physical health. However, it’s time to return to finding healthy ways to cope with stress, eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly.

Exercise with them is a good way to encourage them to get healthier. Take walks, go to the gym, or take yoga classes.

Please encourage them to start a new hobby.

To help them focus on positive things as they recover from their addiction, help them reconnect with their passions and hobbies.

You could even encourage them to start up with a hobby. Ask them to think of something they have always wanted to do, such as learning to play an instrument or writing a book. Encourage them to get started on it as soon as possible.

If you both enjoy activities, do them together to strengthen your bond. Show them that they don’t need drugs or alcohol to have fun or socialize.

Be there for them and stay optimistic.

Figuring out how to encourage a recovering addict can be challenging at times. Your loved one might relapse, or you might feel discouraged as you see them struggle and suffer but feel powerless to help them.

However, try to remember that there is always something you can do to help them: stay optimistic. Give them positive feedback, and remind them they are not alone.

When things get difficult, remind them of all their progress on their journey and let them know you believe in them. Your support will make a difference. Don’t doubt it.

Published by HOLR Magazine.