Valley Hope
Admissions
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Alumni
  • Payments
  • Get Help & Find Hope
    • For You
    • For a Loved One
    • For Your Employees
    • For Your Patients
    • Recovery Stories
  • Services
    • Detoxification
    • Residential Treatment
    • Outpatient
    • Family Care
    • Fly To Recovery
  • Locations
  • The Valley Hope Way
    • Our Approach
    • Take an Assessment
  • Media Center
    • Beyond the Valley
    • News & Information
Valley Hope
  • Get Help & Find Hope
    • For You
    • For a Loved One
    • For Your Employees
    • For Your Patients
    • Recovery Stories
  • Services
    • Detoxification
    • Residential Treatment
    • Outpatient
    • Family Care
    • Fly To Recovery
  • Locations
  • The Valley Hope Way
    • Our Approach
    • Take an Assessment
  • Media Center
    • Beyond the Valley
    • News & Information
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Alumni
  • Payments

Supporting a Loved One in Recovery

Supporting a Loved One in Recovery

December 1, 2017 | Family and Recovery

Family RecoveryThe holidays can be especially challenging for loved ones new to recovery and their families. So many seasonal triggers and distractions can detour loved ones from their hard-earned recovery journey. Many family members (moms, dads, spouses, children, siblings) attempt to take on personal responsibility for protecting their loved ones to ensure they escape the holidays sober, unscathed and committed on their recovery journey. Although family support is important, the commitment to recovery rests solely on the loved one.

What can family members to do to support a loved one’s recovery, especially during the holidays? Sometimes the best practices can be counterintuitive. That is why seeking treatment and care for yourself can often be the most beneficial way to help your loved one and the entire family. In the meantime, consider a few options as you makes plans for this Christmas:

No Pressure

Don’t make overtly “special arrangements,” but be mindful of your loved ones in recovery as you make your holiday plans. Value their feedback and respect that some holiday events may be unappealing to them, especially the first time. Be considerate of your loved one’s schedule, such as their AA meetings or recovery group events and plan your family gatherings accordingly. In addition, when making plans, focus on the smaller, intimate family customs and skip the more extravagant activities. This will relieve some pressure and generate more meaningful experiences for the family reconnect and renew.

Be Collaborative

Engage your loved one in recovery in the planning process. The worst approach is to go through the holidays with your loved one positioned as the elephant in the room. Have an open discussion about their needs and expectations to help avoid surprises and unnecessary triggers or conflicts. More authentic and meaningful family experiences could evolve from the involvement of your loved one. Recovery can often inspire new perspectives and ideas that benefit everyone.

Avoid Drama

The holidays naturally elevate our emotions at almost every level. Even when a loved one finds recovery, family members can trigger relapse by exhibiting past fears, losing patience with the process and even applying an abundance of pressure and suspicion. Avoid this escalation. Inform and educate the family about addiction, treatment and recovery. Removing stigma can prevent such behaviors. Set the tone for your holiday season by embracing peace. Take necessary steps to create a lighter, peaceful environment that will benefit everyone and foster a happy, healthy experience.

Respect Recovery

Your loved one may want to skip your annual neighborhood gathering or the big family dinner. Maybe they need a few minutes of privacy to meditate or call their sponsor. Do not take any such requests personal. These are necessary and normal actions in their recovery. Provide a designated space for loved ones to retreat to when needed.

Embrace Change

Introduce new traditions that relieve seasonal pressures and better engage the family. Recovery is an opportunity to refresh holiday planning with intentional planning that leaves an impact beyond the season. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box. Challenge the family to exchange handmade gifts or even deliver their gifts to a family in need. You can reduce financial stress and add deeper meaning to the spirit of giving. Schedule a brainstorm session and invite your loved one in recovery to be a part of the planning.

This Christmas, use the opportunity to embrace the true reason of the season rather than grit your teeth until the New Year arrives. Engage your loved one in recovery to help develop new traditions and opportunities that bring the family together, strengthen relationships, spread holiday cheer and produce meaningful memories that will last a lifetime.

 


Subscribe today to receive the latest news alerts and our media kit.

Get Help. Find Hope.

(800) 544-5101

Stay in Touch. Find Inspiration

Sign up to receive the latest news and reminders about special events, reunions, renewal days and more.

Keep Updated Sign-Up

The Joint Commission National Quality Approval

LegitScript approved

NAATP Member

Get Help. Find Hope.

Call Us (800) 544-5101

Contact

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
P.O. Box 510
Norton, Kansas 67654

(800) 544-5101

In Case Of Emergency
Dial 911

Suicide Prevention
(800) 784-2433

Domestic Abuse
(800) 799-7233 (SAFE)

  • Media
  • Contact Us
  • FAQs
  • Privacy Policy
  • STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
  • Notice of Security Event
  • Telehealth

© 2019 Valley Hope.

All phone and email correspondence is strictly confidential. APR.08.01.01: The organization accurately represents its accreditation status and the programs and services to which Joint Commission accreditation applies. The organization’s advertising accurately reflects the scope of programs and services that are accredited by The Joint Commission. APR.09.01.01: The organization notifies the public it serves about how to contact its organization management and The Joint Commission to report concerns about safety of the individual served and quality of care. Note: Methods of notice may include, but are not limited to, distribution of information about The Joint Commission, including contact information in published materials such as brochures and/or posting this information on the organization’s website.

 

 

Valley Hope

We are available to help when you need us most – 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Enter your name to chat online with a Valley Hope counselor.