Supporting Early Sobriety | Northern Illinois Recovery Center

3 Ways to Support Early Sobriety

Support Early SobrietyThe first months of sobriety can be challenging. For some time, their lives have been built around alcohol or other drugs. Now, that drug has been eliminated. The person may feel as if they are living a life that isn’t their own. Adjusting to that new life can be overwhelming at first. Often the individual has a difficult time seeing themselves succeeding at recovery.

Early sobriety can also be lonely because old friends may still be using alcohol or drugs. The person in recovery will need to avoid being with them to prevent a relapse. New friendships built around common interests or recovery may not yet have developed. You can support a friend or family member who is making a new start at sober living in three major ways.

Focus on the Person, Not the Illness

For many years, the illness took over the person’s life and personality. They may be having trouble remembering who they were and all of their unique gifts and strengths. Help them to begin to reclaim their gifts, interests, goals, and dreams that may have taken a back seat to the illness. If you shared a common sober activity, such as a hobby or sport, try doing that activity with them again, working to rebuild their interest in the activity as well as your relationship. Avoid using alcohol or drugs around them.

Also, help them focus on healthy habits such as eating balanced meals, exercising, having regular health screenings, finding a faith community, and managing stress. Encourage them to stay connected with all the support systems available to them, such as their therapist and 12-step and other peer support groups. If invited to participate in therapy with them, do so.

Be Positive

A person in early sobriety often feels unsure of themselves and their ability to live into recovery. They also are continuing to crave the substance and are concerned about how to avoid relapse. Sometimes, the sobriety journey will become so hard that they’ll consider giving up.

You can help by giving positive encouragement as they move forward one day at a time. Don’t judge and don’t advise unless asked. If they permit you to provide honest advice and feedback, give abundant praise, and offer constructive suggestions to get them back on track. Remind them, and yourself, about the tortoise and the hare — slow and steady wins the race.

Take Care of Yourself

You can’t help your friend or family member if you aren’t well yourself. Caregiver stress, defined as the emotional and physical stress associated with caregiving, is common. Watch for signs of caregiver stress such as feeling tired often, changes in sleep habits, gaining or losing weight, becoming irritated easily, feeling overwhelmed, or beginning to abuse substances yourself. If you see the signs, ask for help for yourself and your loved one. Refer them to professional help services and arrange for a break for yourself. Join a support group and set goals for your own personal health.

Reach Out to Northern Illinois Recovery Center Today

Northern Illinois Recovery Cente3 Ways to Support Early Sobrietyr can support you and your loved one through early sobriety. We offer a family therapy program to help the whole family recover from the effects of addiction. The goal of the program is for you to grow together and support sobriety and healthy relationships. Northern Illinois Recover Center also provides several addiction aftercare programs, including a sober living program in a facility to ease the transition, ongoing therapy and counseling, and support groups. The comprehensive addiction treatment and sobriety programs are affordable, and most insurances are accepted. So reach out to us today online or by calling 855.786.1978 to learn more about how we can help you or your loved one.

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3 Ways to Support Early Sobriety

Support Early SobrietyThe first months of sobriety can be challenging. For some time, their lives have been built around alcohol or other drugs. Now, that drug has been eliminated. The person may feel as if they are living a life that isn't their own. Adjusting to that new life can be overwhelming at first. Often the individual has a difficult time seeing themselves succeeding at recovery.

Early sobriety can also be lonely because old friends may still be using alcohol or drugs. The person in recovery will need to avoid being with them to prevent a relapse. New friendships built around common interests or recovery may not yet have developed. You can support a friend or family member who is making a new start at sober living in three major ways.

Focus on the Person, Not the Illness

For many years, the illness took over the person's life and personality. They may be having trouble remembering who they were and all of their unique gifts and strengths. Help them to begin to reclaim their gifts, interests, goals, and dreams that may have taken a back seat to the illness. If you shared a common sober activity, such as a hobby or sport, try doing that activity with them again, working to rebuild their interest in the activity as well as your relationship. Avoid using alcohol or drugs around them.

Also, help them focus on healthy habits such as eating balanced meals, exercising, having regular health screenings, finding a faith community, and managing stress. Encourage them to stay connected with all the support systems available to them, such as their therapist and 12-step and other peer support groups. If invited to participate in therapy with them, do so.

Be Positive

A person in early sobriety often feels unsure of themselves and their ability to live into recovery. They also are continuing to crave the substance and are concerned about how to avoid relapse. Sometimes, the sobriety journey will become so hard that they'll consider giving up.

You can help by giving positive encouragement as they move forward one day at a time. Don't judge and don't advise unless asked. If they permit you to provide honest advice and feedback, give abundant praise, and offer constructive suggestions to get them back on track. Remind them, and yourself, about the tortoise and the hare -- slow and steady wins the race.

Take Care of Yourself

You can't help your friend or family member if you aren't well yourself. Caregiver stress, defined as the emotional and physical stress associated with caregiving, is common. Watch for signs of caregiver stress such as feeling tired often, changes in sleep habits, gaining or losing weight, becoming irritated easily, feeling overwhelmed, or beginning to abuse substances yourself. If you see the signs, ask for help for yourself and your loved one. Refer them to professional help services and arrange for a break for yourself. Join a support group and set goals for your own personal health.

Reach Out to Northern Illinois Recovery Center Today

Northern Illinois Recovery Cente3 Ways to Support Early Sobrietyr can support you and your loved one through early sobriety. We offer a family therapy program to help the whole family recover from the effects of addiction. The goal of the program is for you to grow together and support sobriety and healthy relationships. Northern Illinois Recover Center also provides several addiction aftercare programs, including a sober living program in a facility to ease the transition, ongoing therapy and counseling, and support groups. The comprehensive addiction treatment and sobriety programs are affordable, and most insurances are accepted. So reach out to us today online or by calling 855.786.1978 to learn more about how we can help you or your loved one.

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