A number of people who decide to get help for dealing with their alcohol addiction are under the misconception that the recovery process only comprises of detox and rehab. However, you should bear in mind that ending alcohol abuse is only the beginning. Recovering from any addiction is a lifelong procedure because you need determination and commitment in order to stay sober. Having the support of their loved ones can undoubtedly be helpful for recovering addicts. Therefore, it is essential for people to encourage recovering addicts and motivate them to continue living an alcohol free life.
Characteristics of a Recovering Alcoholic
For alcoholics who get professional help, rehab is only the first step of recovery. If they want to maintain long-term sobriety, it is not only essential for them to go through rehab, but to also start the recovery process. The following actions indicate that the recovery process has begun:
- The addict starts dealing with their problems without reaching out for alcohol and without getting stressed.
- They realize their personal boundaries and how to keep their problems separate from others.
- They are honest with at least once person.
- They also take the time to restore their emotional and physical energy when they are fatigued.
After they have completed their treatment for addiction, you can encourage the recovery process in several ways. Maintaining sobriety is a life-long journey and the support of friends and family makes it easy. Here are some ways that you can lend your support:
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Accept them without judgement
A lot of recovering alcoholics feel judged by their friends and family so you need to refrain from negativity and criticism as much as possible. Instead, you should express your love for them and show your appreciation for their decision to maintain sobriety.
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Create an alcohol-free environment
One of the biggest factors that determine the success of the recovery process is whether the addict lives in an alcohol-free environment or not. You need to remove any remnants of alcohol from the surroundings of their recovering loved ones in order to provide them with support. The presence of alcohol can create temptation, which can lead to relapse. Therefore, they need to be an in alcohol-free environment and should stay away from places where they might be tempted.
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Listen actively
Some recovering alcoholics are just looking for someone to just listen to them. You need to make yourself available to listen to the victories and struggles of your loved ones during the process of recovery.
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Take advantage of technology
These days, numerous technological advancements have been made and gadgets have been introduced that can help in the recovery process. One such product is SoberLink, which can be useful for analyzing the breath of a recovering alcohol to determine whether they have consumed alcohol or not. This saves a trip to the treatment center for checkups and is also more efficient.
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Encourage positive and healthy habits
Another way of lending your support is by encouraging positive and healthy habits. You can also participate along with them to give them company and make it fun. Exercising, playing games and cooking food are just some of the activities that can be done.
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Suggest signing up for a support group
Try as you might, you may not be able to understand a recovering alcoholic’s plight, unless you were one yourself. Therefore, ask them to join a support group where they can interact with other recovering alcoholics and learn better ways to cope with their addiction to prevent a relapse in the future.
Through these steps, you will be able to help your loved ones stay on the path to sobriety.