Addiction is a chronic condition, and just like other chronic conditions are managed with a comprehensive and sympathetic approach, addiction should be too. Rather than looking at it as a moral shortcoming, it should be considered a mental illness that is addressed holistically. While doctors and counselors play their parts during treatments, family and friends can also contribute greatly to the process of recovery. If you are wondering how to encourage someone who is fighting alcohol or substance dependence, here are some common yet crucial tips.

1. Be patient

No matter how much we want our loved one to recover quickly, it is going to take its due course. The process of recovery is difficult not only for the addict but also for their family members. However, as their support system, you need to practice patience and perseverance so that their recovery process can at least remain smooth. Be mindful that conflicts and arguments with or around an addict can be counterproductive to their progress. 

2. Don’t advise; just listen

Addiction and the treatment of addiction come with heavy negative feelings like hopelessness, sadness, and alienation. Therefore, it is important to be attentive to your loved one by staying with them and listening to them. It is important to note that giving advice to someone with as intense a personal struggle as addiction may not be a wise idea. You should reassure them by acknowledging their feelings. They may feel less alienated and alone while experiencing alienation.

3. Create a comfortable environment

Addiction puts a person more at risk of feeling dejected and regressing back to drugs or alcohol. Therefore, creating a comfortable environment where they are able to share their concerns without getting judged is crucial. Providing a trigger-free environment may help the recovery process. It will almost certainly allow the patient to go through the procedure without incident. For instance, if a person is addicted to Xanax, do not keep Xanax at home.

4. Supporting Healthy Patterns

Involving a person in healthy practices like baking, cleaning, and meditation can be really helpful. Other enjoyable activities that do not involve drugs or alcohol can also help them return to a normal life. It is also a nice way to interact with the family, from which they withdraw when addiction takes over. 

5. Be careful with what you say

Know that addiction is a mental disease. It is not a person’s weakness that holds them back from recovery. Therefore, saying that they are “not trying hard enough” or “are being selfish” is not only counterproductive but also harmful. Would you say this to someone who has diabetes? No. Think along the same lines as you would with any other chronic disease. Use your words to encourage them by being patient with them and assuring them of your support.

6. Recovery is a process, not the outcome

Addiction recovery is a simple process. It is essential to remember that it can be a constant, lifelong process. There is a lot that goes into the journey of addiction recovery. Sometimes, a treatment may not work, which may cause relapse. Some drugs, like heroin, can cause long-term withdrawal symptoms that can hinder the recovery process time and again. If your loved one is suffering from this issue, be prepared to give them endless support.

7. Be there for yourself

A person can become reckless towards themselves while caring for a loved one who is undergoing addiction treatment. Remember that you can lend support without sabotaging yourself. It is important for you and for your loved one. Your health is just as important as your loved one’s. In fact, they have doctors to look for, and you have you. So, be sure to be there for yourself.

8. Help them find group counseling

Certain support groups or outpatient treatment centers offer counseling sessions to individuals who are suffering from addiction. You may urge them to register for support groups like AA meetings. There are other forms of therapy too, but joining a group can make them feel understood and more determined to achieve recovery. This can be a great source of encouragement for a person in recovery.

9. Stay informed about addiction

Addiction is greatly stigmatized as a moral shortcoming. To change the mindset, it is imperative to stay educated about addiction and the problems that it brings. Remember that there is no “cure” for addiction. Instead, as mentioned above, it is a long process with many hindrances. Don’t believe that your loved one has been “cured” when they receive the all-clear from a rehab. Be vigilant and know the signs of relapse because, unfortunately, many people have a relapse within the first year of recovery. 

10. Let them take charge

Though you may want to protect your loved one, remember that help can be offered only to an extent. Eventually, they will need to take charge of their lives. It is healthy to let them be comfortable with the fact that they struggle with addiction. Accepting is the first form of taking responsibility.