Encouraging a Loved One to Seek Help
Watching a close friend or relative struggle with addiction is a painful thing to witness. Bringing up the possibility of seeking treatment can be a tricky thing to do. Not everyone is ready to address their addiction—and that’s why continuing to provide support and encouragement is important. A key point to remember when discussing this is to not be confrontational or pushy—that can cause your loved one to push you away or shut down the conversation. Expressing your concern for their safety and health while not being judgemental will increase their chances of agreeing to treatment.
Making the First Step in a Alcohol Rehab Treatment
The decision to seek treatment, while an important and oftentimes difficult one to make, is only the first step. For many people, packing up to live somewhere else for a month or longer often requires immense planning. Here are some things to consider before entering a residential or partial hospitalization program:
- Talk to your employer: Discussing this subject will no doubt be intimidating, but a good employer will want what’s best for their employees. Individuals are guaranteed up to 12 weeks of medical leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), so job security should not be an issue. Letting your employer know your plans as soon as possible will make planning for your absence easier, reducing stress for everyone involved.
- Set up automatic billing: Unfortunately, our bills do not pause while we’re in treatment. While having streaming services disconnect during this time isn’t an issue, missing car and rent payments can be devastating. Ensuring you have autopay enabled on your bills or entrusting a friend or relative to handle payments in your absence will help ensure you don’t come home to a financial mess.
- Pack your things: But only take what you absolutely need. While a month can seem like a long time, you can probably leave many of your belongings at home and not even realize they’re gone. Most residential centers have a list of approved items, so be sure to review it prior to packing. Clothing, toiletries, ID and insurance cards, and a list of contacts will be most important.
When you arrive at the center, remember the reason as to why you’re there: to focus on yourself and to get better. Try to leave distractions at the door, as they can compromise your recovery. Take this time to say farewells to family or friends who brought you or make a final phone call to let loved ones know you’ve arrived safely. Many facilities have “blackout periods” where individuals are not allowed access to phones, email, or other methods of communication. The purpose of this is to focus the individuals’ attention on the task at hand and to reduce outside stressors. During this blackout period, many individuals are in detox, but many others are adjusting to their new home for the near future.