How to Support Loved Ones in Alcohol Detox Centers
Overcoming alcoholism is one of the most difficult things somebody can do, and sometimes more than just attending an alcohol detox center is needed to get them through it. Your support during such a tough time will never be forgotten, and it could be the only thing preventing them from slipping-up once they have finished treatment. Supporting a loved during an alcohol detox doesn’t simply mean placing them in a rehabilitation centre and awaiting their return. It is an ongoing process and it is important that your loved one feels that they can rely on you, even when the going gets a bit rough. Not only is alcohol detox physically exhausting, as your body starts to clean up the toxins and fix its liver, but it’s also mentally draining as the individual is forced to confront their inner demons. Alcoholism is habitual, so reorganizing your life around something other than a drink can be difficult for many people. That’s where you come in.
Look ahead
During the alcohol detox process try not to speak only about the alcohol detox process! Your loved one should feel like they are not your patient or that they deserve your sympathy, but that they are a strong individual working through a problem. If you are able to speak to or visit them regularly try to keep them up to date with the news and other things going on around the neighborhood, ask them about future plans, or give them some thoughts about what to look forward to. Alcohol addiction does not only affect the individual but their entire family, so never allow them to feel isolated during the recovery process. Try to get them thinking about the next step in their life rather than their current situation and it will help them to see the detox process as a necessary and positive thing.
Become involved
A good way to support somebody through alcohol detox is by learning about what they are going through. Alcohol can shift from a chemical dependency to a deeply entrenched social habit; alcohol is freely available and quite a large part of our society. Some people develop alcoholism as a reaction to unhappiness or depression, and some rely on it for comfortable social interaction. Know that what your loved one is battling isn’t simply a choice but the result of many internal and external influences. If you can better understand the nature of alcohol dependence then you can be more helpful during the recovery process.
Support sobriety
If you are a drinker yourself it’s going to be important to keep your loved one’s living environment as free of temptation as possible during their recovery. Giving up alcohol completely may not be possible for everyone, but you should look critically at your lifestyle and make some changes that you can share with your loved one. You could pick up running together, or even start experimenting with healthier food choices, or simply switch from coffee to green tea. The key is to value good health. Recovering from a substance abuse problem requires a complete lifestyle revamp to eliminate drinking triggers, and so you can join in and become healthier all around.