Addiction is a family disease. When one person in a family develops a substance abuse disorder, it affects everyone around them. A person living with an addiction may have changed behaviors that disrupt normal family life. This includes lying about how much they are drinking or the drugs they are using and manipulating loved ones. This can severely damage relationships, and recovery can be a challenge because of it.
During this time, family and friends may react to their loved one’s addiction by reaching out to help them. In the early stages of substance abuse, the addiction is not always noticeable, and those who are suffering from the addiction may persuade their family and friends that it will never happen again. However, this is not the case. If you or a loved one are suffering from addiction, Dignity Hall Sober Living Homes can provide a safe atmosphere for healing and rebuilding relationships.
One of the keys to healing from addiction is repairing the relationships with family members and friends. Clients who are in the recovery process must come to terms that recovery does not happen overnight. To fully recover from an addiction, they must take responsibility for all the actions that occurred while they were on drugs. At Dignity Hall, staff can walk clients through the process of repairing relationships with loved ones.
We can guide you through how to rebuild relationships with friends and family during recovery.
Learn Healthy Communication Methods
Many people struggle with their communication methods. Sometimes people start to argue when they try to communicate, or they are not listening to what the other person is saying. To have a healthy discussion, clients must learn ways to effectively communicate with loved ones by listening and responding properly. It is possible to learn how to resolve conflict without turning to drugs and alcohol.
Learning how to communicate properly will help friends and family express their concerns and feelings, knowing that they will be heard when they speak. Clients will learn how to diffuse situations, so heated arguments do not arise.
Eliminate Unhealthy Relationships
Some relationships in a client’s life are toxic and will not promote a positive healing space during recovery. Relationships like this can cause clients to slip into a relapse. If clients are around those who continue to use alcohol and drugs or are abusive, they should learn how to remove them from their lives.
Codependent relationships also present a problem for clients in recovery. Family members that shield the person with addiction from taking responsibility for their actions. Codependent relationships can be formed with spouses, parents, friends, or other family members. Codependent relationships often exhibit enabling behaviors that encourage or individuals to drink or do drugs. Enabling can vary in each relationship but include, making excuses, lying, and covering up, or furnishing those addicted with money for drugs and alcohol.
Develop New Healthy Relationships
A licensed drug and alcohol counselor can work with you to identify damaging and unhealthy relationships in your life. One of the goals in recovery is to work towards changing these relationships and how you may be involved in them. Your therapist will also help you identify the positive relationships in your life and loved ones who can support you during your recovery process. Often, support groups and sober living homes provide an environment where healthy relationships can be formed through support groups and others who are living in the house.
Know that Rebuilding Trust will Take Time
Rebuilding trust with a loved one can be a lengthy process. Set realistic expectations and know that a broken relationship is not something that can be repaired overnight. Even after direct apologies, family and friends will likely expect to see actions that show their loved one is working to repair their relationship.
Dignity Hall
At Dignity Hall, we understand that rebuilding relationships takes time. We offer support and an environment that promotes healing and structure during the recovery process. To learn more about Dignity Hall Sober Living Homes located in South Jersey, reach out today at 855.380.7560.
