Making the decision to go through an alcohol and drug detox isn’t always an easy one to make. For many people, alcohol and drugs are their escape from regular everyday life and all of the things weighing on their minds. Eventually, it turns into an addiction and a disease.
If you have a loved one who’s decided to attend an inpatient detox facility, then the best thing you can do for them is to support them. Serenity Grove can help you help them. End the search for “drug and alcohol detox near me” and reach out to us today. Call 844.904.3485 today to learn more about supporting a loved one after addiction detox.
How to Support a Loved One During Alcohol and Drug Detox
Supporting a loved one during alcohol and drug detox can be a difficult process, but it is an important part of helping them move toward long-term recovery. Through providing support, you can help your loved one become more motivated to follow their treatment plan and overcome the physical and psychological challenges that come with addiction.
There are many ways to offer support during detox. The most important thing is to be available for your loved one and let them know that you are there for them. Showing understanding, patience, and compassion can go a long way in helping your loved one through the detox process.
More helpful tips for supporting a loved one who has just entered or completed detox for addiction are outlined below.
1. Educate Yourself On The Topic
If you want to build a strong foundation of support for your loved one, then the first step is to educate yourself about detoxing. Not only do you want to understand what the detox process involves, but you also want to look further into the specific type of detox your loved one is going through.
What are they detoxing from? What are some of the common symptoms associated with detoxing from that specific drug? What will our loved one be feeling during the detox, and how long will it last?
If any medications can help ease these symptoms, make sure you seek advice from a professional before taking the next step.
2. Ask The Experts Questions
The professionals that help your loved one during their inpatient detox treatment program will be there for support as well. These experts are also a wonderful resource for you. If you have any questions about the detox process, what to expect from it, how to support your loved one, and more, then these are the people to ask.
They know about your loved one’s specific situation and what works best for them. Be sure to schedule a time to sit down with them and ask your questions or schedule a phone call.
3. Don’t Buy Alcohol or Drugs
If your loved one is trying to rid their life of drugs and alcohol, then it’s essential to keep them away from them. If you’re drinking or doing drugs in front of them or around them, then this could cause them to return to use. To support your loved one, you’ll need to refrain from buying alcohol and drugs yourself.
Do a quick inspection of the house. Are there any drugs or bottles of alcohol? If so, remove them before your loved one enters the home.
It’s also not uncommon for a loved one to ask someone to buy alcohol or drugs for them. Stay firm and refuse to do so.
4. Secure Your Prescriptions
Many homes have prescriptions in the bathrooms. Although your prescriptions are legal and necessary for you to take, you don’t want your loved one stumbling upon them while trying to go through a detox. Secure all prescriptions in your home by placing them in a safe, hidden place to prevent prescription drug abuse.
If needed, you can also consider placing them in a safe or safety box that locks with a key or code. You should then put this box in a hidden place to eliminate all temptation.
5. Consider Family Counseling
Family counseling is a great way to bring the entire family together that once may have been torn apart due to alcohol or drugs. Every family has its own struggles, but families suffering from addiction have an even bigger weight on their shoulders. All families could benefit from family counseling, but especially those with additional struggles.
Seeing a family counselor can help you and your loved one communicate with one another better and express your feelings and emotions better as well.
6. Remain Patient And Positive
There’s no denying that going through a detox is challenging for everyone involved. Things will be difficult at times, and you’ll feel your patience being tested. Through it all, do your best to remain patient and positive.
Recovering from addiction takes time. It won’t happen overnight, and it can be a lengthy process. Speak to the professionals at the facility about ways to remain both patient and positive while your loved one’s attending an addiction treatment program.
Remaining positive will also have a positive effect on your own mental health, as the entire process can be emotional for everyone.
7. Schedule Fun Activities To Stay Busy
Keeping busy is a good way to prevent your loved one’s mind from wandering back to the drugs. Do your best to schedule fun activities to keep the entire family busy and minds off of other things that might be less positive. Try to create a variety of different activities that include outdoor fun and things to do indoors as well.
For example, you can schedule a day to explore a new hiking trail with your loved one or visit a local swimming pool. You can spend the day painting on blank canvases or watching movies and eating snacks for a movie night.
While these tips can be helpful, it is important to remember that while your loved one is in treatment for addiction, there are family resources available to help you all through the treatment and recovery processes.
Find Support at Serenity Grove
If you want your loved one to have a successful alcohol and drug detox experience, you’ll need to provide them with optimal support. This type of support can feel overwhelming at times, so remember to keep up with your own mental and physical health as well.
If your loved one is ready to attend a detox treatment program, contact Serenity Grove today by calling 844.904.3485 or filling out our online form.
