Once you get home from treatment, you may feel like it’s your responsibility to help everyone else with their problems. While this is a common sentiment, it just isn’t true and can even be dangerous. Yes, you have completed treatment but your recovery is still ongoing and at this point, extremely fragile. More importantly, you haven’t finished medical school or completed a master’s degree in psychology! Your sobriety can be looked at like the oxygen masks on an airplane. Every time flight attendants give safety instructions about the oxygen masks you are told: “place your mask on first before assisting children or anyone else”. Should you pass out from lack of oxygen, whoever you are assisting is not capable of helping you. More importantly, you put them at risk as they were relying on you for assistance. The stress of trying to help someone you love when you are just learning to help yourself can be enough to push you into a relapse, because you become overwhelmed. If you do want to help your loved ones when you get back from treatment, there are a couple things you can do which will help you in the process. Remember, you cannot change or control anyone else. You can change yourself and hope to inspire others.
Bring them to your meetings:
You attend recovery meetings because of the support you get from people who are going through the same experiences you are. Let your friends and loved ones experience that same support and learn some of the life lessons you pick up in meetings.
Talk to your sponsor:
Your sponsor took you on because they were equipped to help other people. Let them know that you have a friend who needs help. They can assist you in finding a way to help your friend without jeopardizing your own recovery.
Refer them to your treatment center:
You know the people at the facility you attended and you trust them. You are familiar with the process and can help your friend understand what to expect. Getting your friend or loved one connected with the same people who helped you could be the best thing you could do for them.
Be open about your treatment:
One of the best ways you can help your friends is by being open about your recovery. Talk to them about your struggles and the issues you are having. Be honest with them about the good times and the difficult times. Let them know about the steps you’re working and how they help. If a loved one wants to get help, they are going to have questions and concerns. Be there to tell them how you dealt with, or are dealing with your problems while maximizing your life in sobriety.
The Springboard Center knows that treatment for addiction and alcoholism is important to you. That is why we are committed to providing you the best proven practices for treatment so you can live a full life of recovery. Call us today for information on our residential treatment program and sober living: (432) 620-0255
