If you have a loved one who is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, you’re not alone. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, approximately 23.5 million people in the United States are addicted to drugs and alcohol.
Research shows that professional rehab facilities offer the best route to lasting sobriety for these individuals, but sadly, only 1 in 10 addicts will receive full treatment. If your loved one has agreed to attend treatment, that’s an extremely promising first step, but now you want to ensure they will remain in treatment.
Taking the following steps will help your loved one see their treatment through completely so that they can attain lasting sobriety and begin a new and better life after rehab.
Supportive Loved Ones
When someone’s life is torn apart by drugs or alcohol, it can be easy for family members and friends to grow frustrated and angry at the individual. However, this is when you must do your best to stay supportive and compassionate.
Regular phone check-ins, notes of support and visits when allowed can show your loved one that you care. Some facilities even invite family members to participate in group family therapy, which can be helpful for all parties involved.
Attending a Program Out of State
For some individuals who struggle with addiction, going out of state for treatment is the best course of action. While it may seem advantageous to stay close to home, getting away from their local area for treatment can allow your loved one to focus fully on their recovery. Likewise, they can remove themselves from strong triggers and negative influences that may continue to be tempting.
An Adequate Length of Stay
Addiction treatment can range from one- and two-week sessions to six-month programs. Certainly, the cost of treatment will impact how long your loved one chooses to carry on treatment, but studies do show that the longer they stay in rehab, the more effective it will be. A few weeks is simply not long enough for someone to fully recover from a serious addiction.
A High-Quality Facility With Experienced Staff
The staff where your loved one attends treatment should be fully engaged with each client. Not only should the environment at the rehab center be an inviting and supportive one, but the recovering client should feel they are receiving a personal level of care.
It’s important that your loved one is integral to the planning and execution of their own course of treatment and has a strong, positive relationship with their therapists and counselors as well.
A Close-Knit Rehab Community
Finding a treatment center that puts an emphasis on community is crucial. Those who struggle with addiction often feel lonely and isolated. There is a lot of guilt and shame involved in addiction, and these feelings can hinder recovery.
A tight-knit community at rehab will help your loved one see that others are struggling with many of the same issues. Group therapy sessions allow clients to openly share their stories and listen to each other. When a rehab community can offer each other encouragement and support, your loved one will be better able to move on toward full sobriety with hope and positivity.
Getting Help for Your Loved One
It’s important to remember that sobriety cannot be forced upon someone. That’s why individual engagement is essential. A supportive family and network of friends will greatly help in this, but it’s also essential that the individual feels personal responsibility and motivation for change.
To get your loved one started down the path to recovery, help them find an addiction rehab facility that fits their needs. This can be a complicated process, but by researching various treatment centers and using the recommendations above, you’ll be sure to find a facility that can help your close friend or family member stay in treatment and achieve lasting sobriety.
