Long-term family healing and self-care are two things that are essential for those in addiction recovery. For many, family healing is something they will need to work through along with their family members, who should also be taking on the role of their support system. Additionally, self-care is an element of recovery that helps them to put their life back together, especially during periods of stress.
If you have a family member in recovery, you will play an important role in both of these areas.
In this article, we will be discussing long-term family healing and self-care and how you could help your addicted loved one by supporting lifestyle changes for recovery.
The Role of Family in Addiction Recovery
One of the most crucial elements of a person’s recovery journey from substance use is having loved ones to support them. In most cases, although not all, this support system will be made up of family members.
Supporting a family member with addiction is incredibly important, as substance abuse often has some type of correlation to family. The addicted person may have had a difficult childhood or may have trauma associated with a family situation. Because of this, family plays a significant role in helping them make peace with certain issues and move on.
Family are also the people who have been most impacted by the addicted person’s behavior. So, there are usually issues coming from both sides that will need to be resolved so that everyone can have closure and move on in a more positive direction.
Why Self-Care is Essential For Those in Recovery
Practicing self-care may seem superficial on the surface, but it goes much deeper, especially when it comes to those in recovery. People who are overcoming substance abuse need to have self-care practices in their day-to-day lives to help them recreate a normal lifestyle.
Addiction unravels the person’s life and often takes over every element, even going so far as to impact their ability to care for themselves and their health. Self-care is a way of re-prioritizing what is important for them so that they can rebuild a healthy and fulfilling life and avoid bad habits in recovery.
Supporting a family member as they are doing this is very important, especially if they struggle with a negative self-image. You will need to encourage them and help them build a self-care routine that will improve their confidence and overall health.
How You Can Help With Long-Term Family Healing and Self-Care
There are many ways that you can help a family member as they are on their recovery journey. The first step is always to educate yourself on addiction and the recovery process so that you can approach them with empathy and understanding.
Here are some other ways you can encourage and support your loved one.
Be Active in Their Recovery Journey
Support takes many forms, especially when it comes to the recovery process. Becoming an active member in your loved one’s recovery journey is essential for physically showing up and letting them know that you have their back.
You can take an active part in their recovery by joining them in many of their addiction treatment programs, whether this be attending their actual programs, group meetings, or therapy sessions. Many treatment centers encourage this and provide additional resources for loved ones. Engaging in treatment center alumni programs can also be valuable for navigating parenting challenges and building a supportive community.
Encourage Mindfulness
Those battling substance abuse often struggle to care for themselves for a variety of reasons. They may not feel like they deserve to be cared for, they may not take care of themselves as a way of punishing themselves for their addiction, or they may simply not know where to start. Mindfulness practices can also help in managing emotions such as anger, which is often a significant challenge for those in recovery.
You can support your family members and encourage long-term family healing and self-care by helping them practice more mindfulness. You can try mindful activities with them, such as attending cooking classes or going to art therapy. Spending time in nature can also provide significant mental health benefits, promoting relaxation and well-being.
Create Outside Social Connections
Maintaining social connections is vital to the recovery process, as well as long-term healing from substance use. It forms the backbone of a strong support system and ensures your loved one feels safe and well-loved during recovery.
For example:
- Friends play a vital role in providing social support during recovery, so encourage them to connect with trusted companions in 12-step programs or otherwise.
- A supportive environment of peers or rehab alumni can help your loved one stay connected to their ‘why,’ even long after substance use has occurred.
- If possible, you may wish to re-establish relationships with other friends and family members that were damaged or estranged due to drug addiction.
Does your loved one struggle to establish friends or build meaningful social connections? It may be worthwhile to find professional help.
Maintain Healthy Boundaries
Even though being supportive in your loved one’s recovery journey is important, you also need to establish healthy boundaries. These boundaries are there to protect your well-being as well as protect the person with the addiction. Avoiding conflict is crucial to maintaining these healthy boundaries, as conflict can deteriorate the quality of relationships and negatively impact mental health.
Boundaries will help you to avoid any enabling behaviors, such as:
- Making excuses or hiding things for them
- Neglecting your own needs
- Minimizing the severity of their behavior
- Taking responsibility for the repercussions of their actions
- Taking all financial responsibility for them. Enabling behaviors can increase the risk of further negative outcomes, including abuse and neglect.
Work Through Family Issues
If you have a family member in recovery, family healing will be a big part of this journey. Addressing family relationships is crucial in recovery, as they significantly impact individual well-being. Even though you are most likely actively involved in their recovery, family issues will often need to be addressed separately. For example, you and your loved one may want to attend family therapy along with other family members to work through specific family issues.
Taking this step also allows family members to vocalize their own feelings and how their loved one’s addiction has affected them. Family therapy is supported by evidence showing its effectiveness in providing a safe place for communication and encouraging the addicted family member to acknowledge and take responsibility for their actions. This isn’t meant to simply point fingers, but to create a safe place for communication and to encourage the addicted family member to acknowledge and take responsibility for their actions.
Provide Silent and Vocal Support
It can be challenging to know what type of support to provide your loved one when it comes to long-term family healing and self-care. Generally, you want to be vocal with your support so that they feel comfortable talking to you and coming to you when they need help. This helps to break the ice and remove any shame or embarrassment they may feel about talking to you. Friends can also play a crucial role in providing social support during these times.
However, you also want to provide silent support and simply listen to your loved one when they come to you with their concerns or simply want to talk. Those going through addiction recovery are utilizing a lot of resources and hearing a lot of advice. Sometimes, they may just want to vent their feelings as a way of sorting out their own emotions instead of seeking out more advice. Understanding the emotional challenges they face can enhance your ability to provide effective support.
💡 Related: How Can I Find the Right Drug Rehab Support?
Miscellaneous Suggestions
The following is a list of proven strategies you can use to help your loved one avoid bad habits in recovery:
- Hone in on cherished memories and self-care during emotionally charged times to help your loved one remember the emotional importance of their journey.
- Encourage self-compassion practices, such as placing one hand on the heart and the other on the cheek, to affirm their efforts during difficult times.
- Promote well-being through self-care and supportive relationships.
Support Their Mental Health
Mental health issues such as depression and anxiety can have a significant impact on daily life and relationships. These conditions can make it challenging to perform everyday tasks and maintain healthy relationships, especially during recovery.
Family members are often the first line of support for loved ones struggling with mental health issues. Their understanding and encouragement can make a significant difference in the recovery process. By understanding the importance of mental health, families can help reduce stigma and promote seeking help. This understanding fosters a supportive environment where individuals feel safe to discuss their struggles and seek the help they need.
Here are some solutions for navigating your loved ones’ mental health challenges in recovery:
- Seeking professional help, such as therapy or counseling, can provide individuals with the tools and strategies they need to manage these issues. Plus, professional services offer a safe space to explore emotions, develop coping mechanisms, and work through the challenges of mental health.
- Get access to services and resources through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (aka SAMHSA).
- Support groups are another valuable resource for individuals struggling with mental health issues. These groups provide a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and connect with others who are going through similar challenges. The sense of community and understanding found in support groups can be incredibly healing.
The rewarding aspects of mental health, such as improved relationships and increased motivation, can encourage individuals to prioritize their recovery process. By focusing on mental health, individuals can improve their quality of life and build stronger, healthier relationships.
Help Your Family Member Get the Treatment They Need at The Lakes Treatment Center
Recovery is a very long process, and it can be very difficult for individuals to manage this on their own. That is why long-term family healing and self-care are so essential, especially when it comes to bringing the family together to create a support system.
By actively supporting your family members and encouraging them to take better care of themselves, you will be greatly increasing their chances of long-term success.
Want to help your family member find an addiction treatment program? Contact us today at The Lakes Treatment Center.
