Continuing Care Is Essential to Your Loved One’s Recovery

Research shows that people who continue to take steps to get help after treatment are far more likely to succeed than those who do nothing. Important components of continuing care include the following:

• attending Twelve Step or recovery support group meetings on a regular basis
  
  
• finding a sponsor or other trusted person who has been in recovery for a while and can serve as a guide
  
  
• seeing a therapist or psychiatrist for any co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety or depressive disorders
  
  
• attending continuing care groups that discuss various recovery topics
  
  
• when appropriate, using a transitional living situation (e.g., a halfway house) until your loved one’s living circumstances are more stable

You can play an important role in your loved one’s recovery by doing the following:

• Learn about recovery. The more you know, the more helpful your support will be. Consider attending a family program to learn about recovery. Although taking time out for such a program may be difficult, most people find it time well spent.
  
  
• Be willing to listen and practice. Try to remain open to discuss or practice new recovery concepts your loved one is learning, such as healthier relationship skills.
  
  
• Set goals together. Although you are not responsible for your loved one’s recovery, it may be helpful to set goals together or to commit to certain actions each week. If your loved one is open to this, consider serving in this accountability role.
  
  
• Be patient. Recovery is about transformation, and that rarely happens in an instant. Change comes gradually. Old habits die hard. Be patient and also take care of yourself.

Five Helpful Conversations
Prior to your loved one transitioning to the next part of their recovery, we recommend engaging in the following conversations. When asking to talk with your loved one about these topics, let them know you are curious about how you can be most supportive in their recovery process. Remember, these can be ongoing discussions as your loved one learns more about their recovery needs. Here are suggestions for beginning these conversations:

• I’d like to talk about how I can best support your recovery.
  
  
• What are the things I could do/say more of that would feel supportive to you? What are the things I could do/say less that would help you feel more supported?
  
  
• What have you learned about triggers (people, places, things) that would be helpful for me to know about to support you?
  
  
• I’d like to support you with the next steps in your recovery process. What are the next steps that are being recommended by your treatment team?
  
  
• I’d like to talk about how we each feel about having substances in our home/at family events.

© 2023 Hazelden Publishing

The Daily Pledge is a free, online social community, made possible by the Hazelden Betty Ford Institute for Recovery Advocacy, that provides a source of support and fellowship to those touched by or concerned about the disease of addiction. The Daily Pledge provides healthy daily activities on the home page, which are viewable to all who might benefit from seeing others "recover out loud." This community's members include both people with addiction and family and friends of people with addiction. Our experience is that people with diverse experiences are able to help each other in unique and valuable ways. Learn more about the community by exploring the pages linked in the menu.