By: Lakeview Health
Having a family member in addiction recovery is never easy – it can be even more complicated and painful when the person in recovery is someone you are very close to, like a parent. One of the most insidious myths surrounding rehabilitation and recovery is that addiction only really affects the addicted person. In reality, the effects of addiction ripple, affecting all of that person’s family and friends. This is why when you have a dad in addiction recovery, it is essential to know how to support him.
When considering how to support your dad in addiction recovery, there are three main ways that you can help. First, you can educate yourself about rehabilitation and recovery. Second, you can encourage your dad and finally, you can provide your dad with the support that will help him achieve sobriety. Participating in a family therapy program can be a great first step in supporting your father in his journey.
Educating Yourself About Recovery
Having a dad in addiction recovery means that it is absolutely vital that you and your family educate yourselves about what that means. This is not just for your own well-being, but for his too. Educating yourself can involve:
- Learning about what constitutes a reliable social network. A family can be an excellent tool for helping to establish and bolster strong relationships. And your dad must get the right kind of support.
- Familiarizing yourself with the signs of relapse so that you can tell when something is not working. This also includes speaking up when those signs appear!
- Learning specific strategies for helping your dad in addiction recovery cope with life after rehab. A healthcare professional, like the ones at Lakeview Health, can provide family support for addiction.
Encourage Your Dad in Addiction Recovery
Encouragement can take a lot of forms. Some of the ways that you can encourage your dad in addiction recovery are:
- Encouraging him to abstain from all substances, even if they are not the primary substance for which he is in treatment.
- Making sure that he understands what constitutes a meaningful, effective support network that includes family as well as sober friends and co-workers.
- Encouraging your dad to follow the course of treatment recommended by his addiction counselor. This means showing up for meetings and participating in treatment even when it is inconvenient.
Support your Dad in Addiction Recovery
There are several ways that you can directly support your dad in addiction recovery. For instance, you can:
- Support his participation in hobbies, work and family events, and other social activities. Reintegration into “normal” life and the establishment of healthy routines are key to recovery.
- Reduce family friction at home. Managing this can be difficult, especially when the addiction has strained family relationships. But it is one of the most important kinds of social support you can provide.
- Be positive. If you are optimistic and demonstrate hope, you will be helping your dad in addiction recovery to avoid relapse. You will be increasing his chances of success, which is what everyone wants!
Don’t Go It Alone: Call Lakeview Health
Having a dad who suffers from substance use is not easy, but with a little bit of advice and help from a professional alcohol and drug addiction center like Lakeview, you and your family can help him get help. Contact Lakeview Health through our secure online contact form today, or call us at [Direct]. Get your dad the help he deserves.
