By Emma 
As you welcome your loved one back from rehab, you may be under the mistaken impression that they’ve been completely cured of their addiction.
However, recovering from substance abuse disorder is a journey, not a destination.
Hence, your former addict may very well struggle with their condition for years to come. And if you want to continue being a part of their lives, you’ll have to make a few adjustments to help them transition back to life after rehab.
From creating a welcoming environment to helping your loved one find Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in your area, here’s what you can do to support your formerly addicted friend or family member:
Educate Yourself
Educating yourself will give you a deeper understanding of what a recovering user is going through as they transition from rehab to normal life. By doing so, you’ll know how to best help them through these challenges.
If you’re unsure about where to start, you can ask for educational materials from the rehabilitation facility where your loved one was committed. Most of them will be happy to provide these for free.
You’ll also want to learn about the many forms that addiction can take, how to minimize triggers around the home, and how to recognize the signs of relapse, to name a few.
Keep Communication Lines Open
Your loved one may have been encouraged to become more honest and communicative at rehab. That said, they may also expect you to do the same for them.
Truly, honesty and openness will go a long way toward their recovery process. So learn how to actively listen as well as voice your concerns in a kind, healthy, and productive way.
Encourage Daily Routines
One of the things that your loved one will sorely miss (and perhaps even need) is the comfort and familiarity of a structured environment. At rehab, their days were likely planned in advance, all the way down to the minute.
This is done to provide them with a routine that they can follow. Without a rigid schedule, your loved one may feel extremely disoriented, making them susceptible to relapses.
This is why most recovering users will do their best to stick to a set schedule. Keeping yourself from disrupting it is the least that you can do.
You can adapt their routine to fit your lifestyle as a show of support, but this isn’t necessary in most cases.
Keep Them in the Loop
Many recovering addicts will want to keep to themselves and avoid socializing during the early stages of their transition.
While it’s important to respect their decision, let them know that they’re always welcome whenever they’re ready to join events or family gatherings again.
The idea is not to put any pressure on them, as it could become a potential trigger for them. So whenever you do try encouraging them to socialize, try your best to keep these invitations open-ended.
Another thing to consider is that they likely feel vulnerable during their transition. Thus, make sure that you won’t be exposing them to dicey situations.
For example, it probably isn’t the best idea to invite a recovering alcoholic out to an evening party where alcohol would be provided. A family barbecue where you can control the variables should be fine, though.
Direct Them Towards the Help They Need
Broadly speaking, healing from substance abuse disorders tends to be a long and continuous process for recovering users. This can be a discouraging thought, especially if you wish to maintain your relationship with your loved one.
The good news is that you don’t have to take on every aspect of their journey to sobriety, especially those that you feel ill-equipped for.
To ensure that they get the assistance they need, your loved one can attend self-help support group meetings such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous.
There, they’ll get the chance to meet individuals who understand their struggles on a personal level.
On your part, you can continue to support them by showing them how much you love them and encouraging them to continue recovery for as long as they need to.
You can even take it a step further by helping them look up aftercare options available in your area.
All of this will make them feel that you’re as committed to the process as they are, and that you’re a part of their healing journey, too.
Addiction is a disorder that your loved one may have to live with for the rest of their life. Thus, helping them after rehab means being a constant source of love and support.
Having said that, you’ll want to take care of yourself as well. So don’t pressure yourself into finding all the answers or solutions for your friend or family member.
Instead, learn what you can do together with your loved one to ensure that they stay on the path to sobriety.
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