Getting help and getting sober can feel like the most difficult thing someone has ever had to do, for both the addict and their families. In reality, rebuilding your life after treatment can be even harder than treatment itself. As you watch your loved one work toward their new goals, you may wonder how you can help make this process easier for them. Focus on the improvements they have made, be a positive influence and reinforce the progress in behavioral change related to addiction.

12 Tips for Keeping Your Loved One Sober

These tips will help you keep your loved one on track after they finish their addiction treatment program. Even though recovery is a lifelong process, you can offer ways to help them stay sober while they rebuild.

1. Slow and steady: Your loved one may feel great and ready to tackle the world but don’t let them take on more than they can handle.
2. Making up for damage: It will be important for your loved one to repair any damaged relationships as soon as they can.
3. Set expectations: Speak with your loved one and tell them what you expect during this period. This can actually work both ways. Both you and your loved one can find out how to best interact with each other and determine ways to strengthen your relationship moving forward.
4. Follow through: Don’t just set expectations and not do them. Follow through and prove to your loved one that this isn’t just a one-way street.
5. Find new activities: You can help your loved one find healthy activities such as a new hobby, volunteer work or even educational opportunities to keep them busy and away from drugs and alcohol.
6. Exercise: Physical activity like hiking, going for a run or lifting weights releases endorphins that help people feel good. Exercise is a great way to help your loved one stay healthy and can also be a great bonding experience if you work out together.
7. Healthy diet: Maintaining a healthy diet is going to be important to keeping your loved one on the recovery path. Keep sugar to a minimum and fill their diet with vegetables, fruits, lean meats and fish.
8. Get enough rest: Getting enough sleep is important for anyone, but especially for someone recovering from addiction. Make sure your loved one gets eight hours of sleep every night. This can translate to higher energy, less illness and a better mood.
9. Suggest joining a support group: This can be a helpful way for them to receive continual encouragement from people who have been through similar experiences.
10. Actively listen: Be available to listen to their struggles and their victories. You may not be able to fully understand what they’ve gone through, but being a shoulder to lean on will help them through the rough patches.
11. Set goals: The most important step is for your loved one to figure out their new goals in life. These might even be the first major goals they have ever had if the addiction started in their teenage years. Encourage them to set these goals and work to pursue them.
12. Be patient: Recovery is a long process with many ups and downs. While frustrating at times, it’s important for you to be patient and understanding as your loved one regains their footing.

Need Help Getting a Family Member Back on Track?

Completing a drug treatment program is a new beginning. Life after addiction requires planning and preparation upon leaving a facility. Be sure your loved one has the right support system in place to live a healthy life and avoid relapse.

Footprints Beachside Recovery will help to prepare your loved one for this transition and will even include relapse prevention in times of trouble. Contact us for more information on starting this journey to recovery.