When a loved one is addicted to substances, it can be a huge relief to see them enter rehab. After all, they’re finally getting the help they need, allowing you and the rest of your family and friends to start healing too. However, at the end of their stay in rehab, many families begin to feel a strong sense of anxiety.
This is understandable. Addiction is not something that is cured over a short period of time. Even a successful time in rehab is no guarantee that the person won’t relapse.
Furthermore, people addicted to substances learn to lie and manipulate. Loved ones end up questioning whether their recovery is sincere. Trust needs to be built once again.
While these are valid concerns, the reality is that a loved one’s return from rehab is a great opportunity to reconnect and learn new ways to support one another. By focusing on the present rather than trying to predict the future, it is possible to make the most of this occasion.
As a starting point, it is important to have an idea of what your loved one is experiencing.
The Emotional and Psychological Changes in Your Loved One
A person who has gone to rehab will have worked towards significant emotional and psychological changes. They may be grappling with some of the following experiences, using the skills they have learned.
Initial Excitement vs. Anxiety
After leaving rehab, many people feel a mix of excitement about their recovery and anxiety about maintaining sobriety. They are eager to start fresh but can be overwhelmed by the idea of facing life’s challenges without the safety net of rehab. Your loved one may express fear of relapse or uncertainty about how to navigate old relationships and routines.
Increased Self-Awareness
Rehab typically encourages self-reflection, so your loved one may return with new insights into their behavior, triggers, and underlying emotional issues. They may have uncovered emotional traumas or mental health conditions that contributed to their addiction. This self-awareness is a positive step in their recovery, but it can also feel overwhelming. They may need time to process and work through these realizations, so being patient and understanding is key.
Managing Your Own Expectations
While your loved one may have made great strides during rehab, it’s important to manage expectations about what comes next. Recovery is a long-term process, and leaving rehab does not mean that all issues have been resolved. It’s essential to support their continued healing and understand that setbacks are a normal part of recovery.
Navigating Early Recovery Challenges
The first few months after rehab are often referred to as the early recovery phase. It’s during this time that your loved one is most vulnerable. As they transition back into everyday life, they may face numerous challenges that test their sobriety and emotional stability.
Post-Rehab Vulnerability
After leaving rehab, the person might miss a sense of structure and constant support. This sudden shift might expose them to old habits and temptations. The associated feelings, including anxiety, stress, and even depression, can increase the risk of relapse.
You can’t take away these feelings. However, making yourself available to listen without judgment helps remind them they don’t have to face the future alone. It might be important for you to withstand the urge to offer advice – they’re not looking for quick fixes but rather wish to take some of the weight off their shoulders.
Emotional Ups and Downs
It is normal for your loved one to experience mood swings shortly after leaving rehab. They are dealing with feelings of frustration, guilt, and shame over their past actions. Their brain is also still adjusting to life without substances and emotional volatility could last a while. Approach these moods without judgment, reminding yourself that their feelings are not about you.
Cravings
Cravings are a natural part of the recovery process, and your loved one will likely face moments when they feel a strong desire to use substances again. They will have learned techniques for managing cravings at the rehab but you can also play a role in supporting them through these moments. Look for signs of cravings and take the opportunity to create a distraction or encourage them to use the coping mechanisms they’ve learned.
Rebuilding Trust and Relationships
Addiction can destroy trust among loved ones. This is not magically repaired when the person begins recovery. Damaged relationships require work from all involved if they are to heal.
Acknowledge the Damage
While addicted, your loved one may have lied, broken promises, or engaged in destructive behaviors. It’s essential to acknowledge these wounds and not brush them aside, but that shouldn’t stop you from moving forward. Rather, it should be a necessary step in the healing process.
Build Open Communication Channels
Communication is the cornerstone of trust. Having honest and open conversations about feelings, boundaries, and expectations can help repair fractured relationships. Encourage your loved one to express how they feel about their recovery journey, and make space for you and other family members to share your experiences as well. Approach these conversations with empathy, avoiding blame or judgment as much as possible.
Set Boundaries
Addiction often causes family members to become overly involved in their loved one’s life, sometimes leading to codependent behaviors. It is crucial to set clear boundaries in order to protect your emotional well-being. This also gives your loved one the space they need to take responsibility for their recovery. Boundaries might include setting limits on how much you’re willing to discuss past behavior or creating a balance between providing support and allowing them to manage their own recovery process.
Conclusion
A loved one’s return from rehab can evoke anxiety and trigger memories of past behaviors. It is important to be prepared to acknowledge the changes they have made, while understanding that recovery is a long-term process. Open communication from both parties will be necessary, as is the setting of boundaries to ensure your relationship doesn’t fall back into old patterns.
