Addiction Tips: Reconnecting Relationships & Avoiding Relapse

The Do’s & Don’ts for Relationships After Addiction Recovery

Your loved one is home from rehab, which is great! You couldn’t be happier, and yet…

There is no point at which all of our problems magically disappear—for either side. We all have issues to deal with. Right now, for you, the main issues may revolve around communication and trust with your friend or family member. You may be afraid of saying the wrong thing. Or uncertain what to discuss and what to let go.

We know this is not easy, but think back to how bad things used to be before addiction treatment and take deep breath. Try to remember the following advice and share tips with friends and family members. Communicate.

Do:

Take things one day at a time. This is, of course, a famous recovery mantra. But it’s critically important for parents as well, especially in the first three months. Don’t ask when your friend or family member plans to go back to college or back to work. Don’t ask when they plan on moving out or get their own place. And certainly don’t ask what they are going to do with their lives. Give your loved one room to figure all of this out—one day at a time.
Consider family therapy. By this point in the journey, it’s very likely that a lot of damage has been done to family relationships. Of course you’re happy that your loved one has received help, but you’re close to sainthood if you don’t feel any lingering resentment. The things your friend or family member has said or did to you while under the control of addiction we’re hurtful. Likewise, your loved one may still have his or her own wounds. Family therapy can help in rebuilding trust after addiction and reconnecting families.
Find Hope. Your loved one just went through an experience—addiction and rehab—that non-addicts will never be fully able to understand. You may never know some of the ways in which they have suffered. Dig deep, find some additional patience and visualize a better life together in recovery.
Show love, express affection, communicate honestly and offer to take part in hobbies your child enjoys together. Find the good in each other and stay positive.
Take care of yourself. Your life has taken a back seat for a long time. Maybe it’s time to work on your personal life, whether that means a support group, a spiritual counselor or even just a weekly coffee date with a friend. Be good to yourself and your relationships will reap the benefits.

Don’t:

Hover. Your family member or loved one is an addict, not a baby. It’s natural that you would feel that you can help prevent a relapse by managing their problems. But it’s not true. This is up to them. By constantly swooping in to save him or her, you’re preventing the one you love from overcoming obstacles, thus taking away one of life’s greatest sources of strength.
Bring up the past. Your friend or family member has shown great courage. Now is the time to show them grace. Forget the past. Look towards the bright future. Stay Positive. If it helps you, join a support group for parents of addicts where you can compare notes and share stories. Almost all addicts do things that their old selves would never, ever be capable of doing.
Have thin skin. Your loved one is experiencing a crazy mix of emotions. While you shouldn’t let him or her treat you badly or take advantage of you, don’t be upset if they hurt your feelings in minor ways. Relationships after rehab can be tricky, especially at first. Remain strong. Maintain your thick skin and continue to communicate with your friend or family member.

About Footprints Beachside Recovery

Footprints Beachside Recovery Center is a residential treatment center located on the beautiful Florida Gulf Shores and seeks to treat the whole person, not just the addiction, through a comprehensive approach to recovery. Contact us today to speak to an expert and learn more about life after addiction recovery.

Brittany Forbes

17:28 07 Feb 24

I went to and completed footprints it’s a great program where I learned to thrive in my recovery and built a foundation that I continuously rely on and made friends as well who continue to save me!

Denis Psatha

00:32 07 Feb 24

I never thought getting sober was a option until I went to footprints, it’s a great environment,I felt like I was at home while staying in house because everyone was very friendly,also all the therapists are very good at helping you out with any problems u may have ,they have fun activities every weekend and for the first time I’ve actually made sober friends which is very helpful even after u leave the program there always a call away!!

Marina Scruby

17:28 26 Jan 24

I graduated Footprints Beachside recovery center in Oct 23’ and am going on 9 months clean and sober. This wasn’t my first time being in treatment and i was having a hard time remaining sober for more than 2 months. If it wasn’t for this treatment center, the staff, and therapist, doesn’t matter… i wouldn’t be living the sober life i am today. Walking into Footprints was the best decision i have ever made for myself, from bowling to kayaking and going to the movies or outside AA meetings you don’t really feel like you’re in a treatment center but you also get the knowledge and tools that u need to stay sober.. the support the staff offers for the clients on a day to day basis was so helpful during my time there!!! I am forever grateful for my time at Footprints! i would suggest this place to anyone who struggles with addiction/alcoholism and is wanting to get better. Coming from Georgia was nerve wrecking but it was for the best choice for my own recovery. The foundation, sober connections and tools this rehab gave me to start my recovery journey is not something you’ll get somewhere else (in my experience)!

Just Me

22:27 12 Dec 23

I went to Footprints for 120 days and it more then likely saved my life. The therapists are great and really care about the patients. There is a lot of freedom while in treatment but it is earned. All the staff are good people and really care and help. This was the place that finally got me over my hump. Thanks Footprints for all the help and support I have received.Glenn

Mahmoud Mokhtar

18:20 29 Oct 23

Kelly was so helpful and the staff made the process easy when helping my family member. Thank you Kelly and Footprints.

Francis Weber

01:55 25 Sep 23

Footprints Beach Side Recovery goes far and above all rehabilitation centers. From Leaders to Therapists to Technicians, everyone is focused on recovery, tools, methodologies, support and genuine, loving care for it's clients.Footprints invests in the classiest, devoted and certified therapists and they are always available.Rehabilitation activities centered around sport, adventures, special guests, art and education add flavor and fun to a strong curriculum.I would vouch 100% for Footprints and recommend, without hesitation to anyone in search of care - 1 day at a time.

Riley White

14:27 22 Sep 23

footprints is like the disney world of rehabs. the clinical team truly cares about you & personalizes the course of treatment to every individual’s specific needs. i can honestly say i would not be alive today if it weren’t for this program, they gave me hope when i was hopeless & loved me when i couldn’t love myself. it’s more than just a paycheck for these people, they truly care about the clients & help cater to them in whatever way possible. 10/10 would recommend

Edward Rios

15:59 14 Apr 23

Great place for recovery. Great staff and management. Provides all the needed stepping stones to recover, from inpatient to outpatient to sober living. The sober living executive manger Paul Romero is very professional and dose a great job running the house.The president John Templeton makes sure everybody gets the individual attention they deserves. You can tell he has a passion for helping peopleThey changed my life for the better and gave me another shot at life.