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The Importance of Support During Addiction Recovery

Published: 5/2/2022

Did you know that about 75% of people who suffer from drug or alcohol addictions eventually recover? Addiction recovery may seem unreachable but the odds are in the favor of the person who's struggling.


Effective recovery requires a lot of strength and determination. Most people find that they need to seek out professional help and resources. One thing that many people don't consider, however, is the importance of support during the recovery process.


Yes, someone can recover independently, but they may be putting themselves at a greater risk of a relapse. They may also have a longer road ahead of them.


We're here to talk all about why support is so important during recovery, how to support someone going through recovery, and several ways that people can seek support both within and outside of their social groups.


Read on to learn more. 

Why Is Support So Important?

So what is it that makes having support from friends, family members, and others so beneficial to people who are going through addiction recovery? There are a lot of factors. 


First, addiction impacts everyone in the person's family or social network. Even though only one person is actively addicted to a substance, their behavior has a ripple effect.


When a family or friend group is showing support, they're not just healing the person going through addiction.


They're also healing their relationships and themselves. They're rebuilding trust and closeness. 


The person who's struggling with an addiction needs to know that they have people nearby who believe in them. It's common for people who are going through an addiction to struggle with anxiety or depression, both of which can be isolating.


When they see that they have support from their loved ones (or even strangers), they'll know that they aren't alone.


There are people who are rooting for them to get better.


Support is also great for accountability.


Going through recovery is lonely. It's easy to give up when you think that there's no one who's actually watching or who cares about whether or not you succeed. 


Having a strong support network of friends, family members, or other people in recovery will create an accountability group.  

Support vs. Enabling 

There is a difference between support and enabling. Many friends and family members think that they're being supportive when actually they're fostering a bad situation and allowing bad behaviors to continue.


When you support someone who's going through addiction recovery, you're encouraging them to be better. You're challenging them, praising their efforts, and telling them when something that they're doing is harmful (even if this upsets them).


Support requires strong boundaries. You may have to offer constructive criticism.


When you enable someone, you may think that you're being nice, but you're not helping them. You're letting bad behavior slide and you're showing them that there are no consequences to their actions.


For example, if you keep giving someone money that they spend on drugs or alcohol, you're enabling them. Yes, you're "helping" by giving them money for whatever needs that they claimed to have, but that "help" is actually harmful.


Your intentions are good, but the outcome is bad.


This is one reason that getting professional help can be so beneficial. Professionals know how to support someone without allowing or ignoring problematic behavior. They can also help guide friends and family members so they can do the same. 

How Can Family Members and Friends Show Support During Addiction Recovery?

If a loved one is going through recovery, you're likely trying to figure out the best ways to support them. You want them to come back feeling better than ever with their new life of sobriety, but how can you help?


Here are a few ways that friends and family members can help support someone who's going through drug addiction recovery. 

Learn About Addiction

This is one of the best things that you can do for your loved one that's going through drug addiction recovery. Do your best to educate yourself about addiction and its impact on your loved one. 


If you're reading this, it's likely that you're already taking this important step. 


Learn about the drug or substance that your loved one is using and how it impacts them physically and mentally.


Learn about what recovery consists of so you can be more empathetic. 


You should also learn about local treatment options. This will help you when you're trying to encourage your loved one to get their initial treatment, when they're looking for post-treatment care, and when they're looking for support groups. 

Encourage Treatment

Speaking of treatment, if your loved one isn't already in recovery, this is the perfect time to talk to them about it.


Encourage them to get the help that they need in order to thrive.


Keep in mind that sometimes talking to someone about seeking help can be frustrating. It may not work the first time and the conversation could get emotional. Prepare yourself for this possibility. 


Bring all of the information that you gathered about various local treatment options so you can discuss it together.


Let them know that you're not trying to shame or punish them, but that you're trying to make sure that they stay happy and healthy. 


Approach this with kindness instead of aggression or blame. Use "I statements" or "we statements" instead of "you statements" to have a more effective conversation. 

Get Rid of Temptations

When your loved one is going through recovery, it's crucial that you get rid of any and all temptations around the house or wherever you spend time with them. 


Even if the "temptation" isn't your loved one's substance of choice, it could still be triggering. It's not helpful for someone to be around substances if they're going through recovery, even if those substances have never been problematic for them in the past.


Avoid bringing your loved one anywhere that may have drugs or alcohol, at least at first. While they should engage in social activities when they're further along in their sobriety journey, parties and bars won't be ideal right now. 


Don't drink or use drugs in front of your loved one at first. You want to show solidarity, and if that means forgoing a glass of wine with dinner, so be it. 

Set Boundaries

Setting boundaries is crucial when it comes to supporting someone who's going through substance abuse recovery, but it may feel mean at first. Boundaries teach your loved one how to navigate your relationship, and they will strengthen your bond over time. You should also let them set boundaries with you (and you must respect those boundaries).

Engage in Fun Activities

Being supportive of your loved one can be a lot of fun. When they're not actively in treatment, make sure to stay connected by engaging in fun social activities with them (within reason).


Again, bars and parties that include drugs or alcohol won't be the best choice right now. Instead, have sober social gatherings, go on trips, or find something new and fun that you can do together.


Consider taking a class with your loved one. Finding a new passion or hobby is a great way to spend time while going through recovery. An art-related class will give them a creative outlet.


You can also find fun physical activities such as fitness classes, rock climbing, or hikes (among other things). Exercise is great for addiction recovery. It forces the body to release endorphins (or feel-good chemicals) which will reduce depression and anxiety. 

Show Appreciation for Good Behavior

Make sure you're pointing out good behavior while your loved one is in recovery. Always tell them how proud you are of them (but make sure that it's genuine. Avoid patronizing language). 


Your loved one may seem independent, but they're going through something difficult. Even if it seems like they have everything under control, go out of your way to tell them that they're doing a good job. 

Where Else Can Someone Find Support?

Being a pillar of support for someone who's going through drug or alcohol recovery can be exhausting. Don't over-exert yourself. There are other resources available for your loved one so you don't have to be solely responsible for keeping them on track. 


But what are those resources and how do you find them? 

A Substance Abuse Recovery Center 

Addiction treatment centers are the perfect supportive environments for anyone who's starting a journey toward sobriety. 


Both residential and outpatient treatment centers are effective, but residential treatment centers offer a higher level of support for their patients. Your loved one will have access to around-the-clock care from mental health professionals.


They'll also be surrounded by other people who are also going through recovery. Having peers who understand what they're going through can be a game-changer. 

Sober Living Homes

So what about when they're done with the initial stages of recovery? Many people think that they have to go back out into the "real world" right away, but without adequate support, it's possible to relapse.


It's a good idea to find a "middle zone" while your loved one is recovering. Sober living homes are perfect for this purpose.


Sober living homes are like halfway houses but with more support. Unlike a conventional halfway house, a recovery coach will guide your loved one through the traditional 12-step program.


They'll have access to complete medical care, mental health care, and more. They'll have a social outlet with other people who are going through recovery so they're less likely to feel isolated.


They'll get to engage in fun activities during their free time and they'll even get vocational training. They'll be able to emerge from the program ready to get back to their lives.

Support Groups

Support groups are fantastic for anyone going through recovery (or any other kind of mental health struggle). While having friends and family members around is helpful, it can be difficult to feel comfortable talking with them because they can't relate to recovery.


Support groups are full of other people who are also trying to recover. Everyone there will understand your loved one's situation so they'll feel less isolated. 


Support groups are also great for accountability (especially if they include sponsors). Your loved one will always have someone to talk to if they're struggling. 

Individual or Group Counseling

Even after someone is done with residential treatment or a sober living house, it's a good idea for them to continue to seek counseling long-term. Recovery is a journey, not a destination. 


Individual counseling is good for people with a dual-diagnosis. A good therapist will be able to help your loved one move through the rest of their recovery journey while they're also battling other mental health struggles. A psychiatrist can help with medication management. 


Group counseling has the same benefits as support groups (but with the added benefit of a professional therapist). Your loved one will sit with a group of peers who all have similar struggles and work through them together.

Support Is Crucial During Addiction Recovery

No one should have to go through addiction recovery alone. Make sure you show support to your loved one while they're on their sobriety journey. Encourage them to seek out professional help and other supportive resources. 


With enough love and support, the recovery process will be far easier. 


Are you looking for a 12-step sober living program to help your loved one who's going through addiction recovery? At Progress House, we have the answer. We aim to help all of our residents thrive through our structured recovery program. 


Check out the application process today.