How to Support a Friend That is Going into Rehab

Overcoming addiction is a difficult trial in anyone’s life, whether you experience it firsthand or by watching a loved one go through it. However, it’s important to understand that there is help out there and that one can go through it with the appropriate medical attention and care.

It’s also important to know that addiction is a chronic brain disease, so you can’t cure it with willpower. It’s also not something regular people can deal with, so trying to cut someone off without medical supervision and guidance is never a good idea.

The best thing you can do for a friend or a loved one who has addiction troubles is to support them and guide them towards medical help. Rehabilitation centers, if recommended by a physician, are a great help because they provide specialized guidance and supervision.

However, depending on your location, it may be a bit difficult to find a rehab center that fits your friend’s needs. Luckily, if you live near Temecula, there is plenty of help.

Still, before you contact the first Temecula rehabilitation center you can find, make sure you are prepared for the journey. Here are some of the steps you can take:

Research the Best Rehab Centers in the Area

If you live in an area with easy access to rehab centers, the best way to help your friend is to thoroughly research each offer. Depending on your friend’s budget and needs, some of these centers will not be a good fit and they are not in the right state of mind to do the research themselves.

Quick tip: If you’re looking for a Temecula rehabilitation center, Ranch Creek Recovery should be on your list. They offer a wide range of services and the treatment facilities are very well-designed!

Educate Yourself on Addiction & Recovery

Addiction is difficult to understand if you haven’t experienced it firsthand. That’s why many people need support groups (such as Alcoholics Anonymous or Gamblers Anonymous) where they meet other people with similar problems.

So, if you want to be of help, the best thing you can do is learn about addiction and recovery. Try to understand the science and learn about triggers and how to offer appropriate support to someone who wants to overcome their addiction.

Support, Don’t Enable

When caring for a loved one who suffers from addiction, it’s rather easy to go from supporter to enabler. When this happens, your help is no longer useful and it doesn’t contribute to the person’s long-term recovery journey.

That’s why education is important. Based on the things you learn, you can check yourself and make sure you are:

-offering help, but also take care of your own needs
-honest with your friend and don’t find excuses for unacceptable behavior
-providing them with love and balance without attempting to shoulder your friend’s responsibilities

Help Them Stay Active

Fitness activity, especially if practiced with a partner, has been found to help people who suffer from various brain diseases such as depression and anxiety. Someone who is into rehab can also benefit from fitness activity, as it provides an outlet for their energy and keeps their body active.

If the program allows it, you can help your friend by going cycling with them in the nearby area of the center. If not, you can try yoga or other forms of physical activity.

Key Takeaway

Addiction sufferers need time, patience, and support but they also need to be seen as individuals with the right to make decisions for themselves. Addiction is a disease, but this doesn’t give you the right to intrude on your friend’s or loved one’s freedom of choice. That’s why it’s important to offer support and understanding.