When your loved one is struggling with substance use, you want to help. You can play a major role in their recovery journey from the time they decide to seek treatment forward. Connection is so important during recovery. Addiction is an isolating experience, and letting your loved one know that you care about them, their health, and their future can make all the difference.
During treatment at Red Oak, you’ll still have a role to play. Family counseling sessions, preparing your home for your loved one’s return, and supporting them in their ongoing recovery are all critical pieces of the puzzle. Contact us now to start admissions at Red Oak Recovery®.
Family Roles in Addiction and Recovery
There’s a good chance that to this point—whether you realize it or not—you’ve played a role in your loved one’s substance use. But, you have the opportunity to play a major role in their recovery, too.
Active Use
The family unit is often described as a “system.” This means that each person plays a role in how it functions. When one member of the family struggles with addiction, it affects everyone in the system. In some cases, family members may enable or overlook their loved one’s substance use, either out of denial or fear of confrontation.
But, helping your loved one by being open and honest about their addiction can be a crucial step in their recovery. It may not be easy, but approaching the subject with empathy and compassion can make all the difference.
Recovery
Your relationship with a loved one—whether it’s your son, husband, uncle, friend, or someone else—will be affected by their substance use. You might feel angry, hurt, confused, or betrayed. But during their recovery journey, you can offer support and understanding.
Start by educating yourself about addiction and its effects on the brain. This will help you understand your loved one’s behaviors and struggles better. Be active in their treatment and journey forward, which will rebuild those bonds of trust and connection.
What to Expect When They’re in Treatment
As your loved one begins their treatment journey at Red Oak, you may wonder what to expect. Every individual’s experience is different, but some general principles apply.
Where They’ll Stay
At Red Oak, your loved one will likely stay in supportive housing. These accommodations are designed to provide a safe, structured environment for individuals in recovery. Your loved one will have access to support staff and other resources, including counseling sessions and educational workshops.
What They’ll Do
Our campus is located in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains just outside of Asheville, NC. We take advantage of this peaceful setting by programming outdoor activities alongside traditional individual and group therapy settings. Your loved one’s treatment plan will be tailored to their unique needs and goals, but they’ll likely:
- Have some individual therapy sessions every week
- Get outside to hike, explore, and participate in other wilderness therapy activities
- Attend group therapy sessions with peers
- Learn more about their addiction and how to manage their recovery
- Participate in family therapy sessions with you and other loved ones
- Receive mental health support
How You Can Be Involved
Just because your loved one is in treatment doesn’t mean you’re out of the picture. In fact, family involvement is crucial to our approach at Red Oak. We believe that families can heal together and support each other in this journey.
Our family therapy sessions allow you to work through any issues or challenges that may have arisen during your loved one’s active addiction. You’ll also learn how to effectively support them in their recovery and prevent relapse.
Continuing Support After Treatment
Rehab is just the beginning of your loved one’s road ahead. Your role in their addiction recovery doesn’t end when they leave treatment. In fact, it’s just beginning. Here are some ways you can continue to support them:
- Encourage and participate in ongoing therapy or support group meetings
- Help create a supportive environment at home by removing any triggers or substances that may tempt them to use again
- Practice open and honest communication with your loved one about their recovery journey
- Offer understanding and empathy instead of judgment or criticism
- Celebrate their successes, no matter how small they may seem
By being actively involved in your loved one’s recovery journey, you can help them stay on the path towards a healthier and happier life.
Contact Red Oak Today
You can help your loved one find the support they need to overcome addiction. Red Oak Recovery® provides addiction and mental health treatment services for men at our North Carolina campus. Contact us online or call 828.382.9699 now.
