Having a friend who struggles with substance use disorder (SUD) can be challenging. You want to do all you can to help them now that they have sought treatment and are in recovery.
You may be asking yourself what you can do to provide more support. That they are in recovery is something to celebrate. You can do things to help promote sobriety and recovery progress. Additionally, there are things that, as a friend, you should look out for if things start to decline.
There are dozens of ways to show your support for your friend's new life choice. Perhaps you could do little things to make them feel more comfortable as they transition home. You can also actively play a role in their recovery journey.
One little thing you can do is not use substances around them. Alternatively, ask if they are comfortable if you have a drink in front of them. The courtesy of abstaining or asking permission goes a long way. It shows your friend that you are willing to put your wants aside to help them have a successful life of recovery.
Another way to show support is by helping your friend find recovery support meetings in your area. You could even take your friend to meetings or go one step further and join them. Finding meetings can be challenging for some people because it's not always easy to find a group of people or a recovery practice that works for them. Being there to help them determine what meetings might be right for them can be beneficial.
Most meetings are exclusive to those who struggle with SUD, but there are also open meetings. An open meeting welcomes all people, whether you're currently struggling with addiction, are in recovery, or are just supporting a friend. You can go with your friend and discover other ways to show support while also learning about addiction from other people who may have been in similar situations as you or your friend.
Building and improving effective communication between you and your friend is a crucial aspect of supporting them. It would help if, first, you learned to speak with your friend in an honest, judgment-free way. This type of communication can be beneficial to someone in early recovery.
There are some things to keep in mind to promote effective communication. First, being honest and vulnerable is crucial. These two values will help not only improve your friendship, but it will also make your friend feel more comfortable.
With your friend feeling more comfortable, they may be more willing to open up about things they might not otherwise speak about. This vulnerability is essential to a successful recovery. Recovery is about finding the things that might have led to addiction in the first place and then overcoming them. This takes vulnerability which requires trust in another person.
As a friend, you can look for the warning signs that may lead your friend to relapse. There are several things you can do to prevent relapse. The most important is to help your friend when they have thoughts of relapse. Relapse warning signs can include many different things, and your friend may have ones specific to them. Discussing what your friends' warning signs and triggers are will help you be able to notice them sooner.
The ways that you can help them vary widely. You might coach them through urge surfing or do something small like hang out with them or take them for a walk. Walking is a great way to clear the mind, is beneficial for mental health, and is even better with company.
All this is to say that recovery is your friend's number one priority. Especially in the early days after treatment, your friend may have to overcome many struggles. Being there for them and showing your support for their recovery journey can make a huge difference in their success.
This may involve putting your wants aside for your friend's sake. It could also mean being an active part of their recovery, whether that is going to meetings with them or joining them in whatever new hobbies they decided to pick up to replace time previously spent engaged with substances. Supporting them also means identifying when things start to look bad and doing what you can to pick your friend back up.
Recovery is not an easy road to walk. There are many pitfalls, and avoiding them can be tiresome. However, you can be there as a friend to make the journey easier. All it takes is a little understanding and communication.
Leaving treatment can be scary for some people, but having a friend by their side can make it easier. Supporting your friend once they leave treatment can significantly affect their long-term success in sobriety. Recovery is never an easy journey; even in the best of times, it requires support and accountability. The best way to support your friend is through communication and understanding their warning signs. When you have an understanding of these things, you can help your friend keep up with the things that help them stay sober once they're home. If you know a friend that is struggling with a substance use disorder and are looking for more information, contact NorthStar Transitions today at (303) 558-6400.
