In 2023, approximately 54.2 million Americans needed treatment for their drug or alcohol use disorder, yet only 23% of them received it. A substance use disorder (SUD) is a chronic, relapsing brain disorder that affects the mind, body, and soul.
September is National Recovery Month, a time to spread addiction awareness and celebrate the strength of those in recovery from substance abuse.
National Recovery Month: Drug and Alcohol Addiction Awareness
Addiction recovery is a challenging yet powerful journey that represents resilience, strength, and determination. Spreading addiction awareness not only educates communities on the signs and risks of substance abuse but also provides a safe space for those struggling. National Recovery Month focuses on advocating evidence-based treatment and addiction recovery practices while also honoring those in recovery from substance abuse.
Addiction education and awareness are essential for understanding the nature of addiction and encouraging a supportive, inclusive environment for those in need. Substance abuse recovery is not a one-time decision but rather a lifelong process of healing and choosing sobriety each day. The road to recovery is empowering as individuals regain control over their lives and overcome their addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Support networks, such as therapists, addiction counselors, sober communities, and loved ones, play a significant role in the success of someone’s recovery process. These systems provide those in recovery with accountability, emotional encouragement, and a sense of belonging. Celebrating small victories in addiction recovery, whether it’s one week sober or a year substance-free, reinforces strength and encouragement in the recovery process.
Evidence-Based Treatments and Recovery Support for Addiction
National Recovery Month is also an opportunity to emphasize the need for continued addiction research, support services, and reduced stigma surrounding addiction. Addiction treatment programs, counseling, therapy, and recovery support groups are all foundational tools for facilitating healing in long-term recovery.
Medical detox programs for drug and alcohol addiction can help individuals through the detox and withdrawal process. Evidence-based approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), pharmacological treatment, and individual therapy assist in substance use treatment.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) effectively addresses the underlying aspects of addiction through talk therapy and coping skills. Support meetings like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) provide those in addiction recovery with a safe and judgment-free space to discuss their struggles and experiences.
How to Support A Loved One in Addiction Recovery
Supporting a loved one during National Recovery Month means acknowledging their strength and courage in continuously choosing sobriety daily. As a family member or friend of someone in recovery from substance abuse, it’s essential to support them every month of the year, not just in September.
Providing the right kind of support for someone battling addiction or in active recovery requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to respect boundaries. Here are eight ways to effectively support someone on the road to recovery.
Educate Yourself About Addiction
Understanding the nature of addiction and substance abuse is first and foremost when supporting someone in recovery. Addiction is a severe brain disease, not a matter of moral failing or willpower. Educating yourself about the physical and psychological aspects of addiction can help you provide more informed and empathetic support for your loved ones.
By being knowledgeable on the topic of drug and alcohol addiction, you’ll be better equipped to offer your support to loved ones in recovery.
Offer Emotional Support Without Judgment
One of the most valuable things you can do for someone in addiction recovery is to offer non-judgmental, emotional support. Substance abuse recovery often involves guilt, shame, and anxiety, and being a safe space for them can help release some of that weight. Let your loved one know that you are there for them during this process, regardless of their past mistakes.
Practice active listening when someone in recovery starts talking about their struggles, feelings, or fears. Avoid giving unsolicited advice or trying to ‘fix’ their problems, as this may push them away. Sometimes, they need to let it out and talk to someone; you can be that listening ear. Celebrate their recovery progress, no matter how small it seems. Acknowledge milestones such as days of sobriety, mental and physical health improvements, or completed recovery group meetings.
Encourage Professional Help
Maintaining sobriety and your mental well-being in recovery is made easier with professional support and guidance. Encourage a loved one who is currently battling addiction to seek or continue treatment, such as CBT, addiction treatment, or recovery support groups. Without pressuring them, you can suggest these recovery resources and tools that will help them manage triggers and avoid relapse.
Set Healthy Boundaries
While it is essential to be supportive, setting healthy and firm boundaries with someone in recovery is also necessary. Drug and alcohol addiction can strain relationships, making it equally as crucial for you to support and protect your well-being as well. Helping a loved one in addiction recovery should not mean sacrificing your finances, emotional stability, or physical health.
Not to mention, being too supportive can cross over into enabling a loved one in recovery. Enabling behaviors can include overlooking their harmful behaviors, offering financial support, or covering up for them. All of these things allow them to continue destructive patterns that exacerbate their condition and lead to relapse.
Please respect Their Privacy.
Recovery from an alcohol or drug use disorder is a deeply personal journey that can be difficult to share with others. As a close friend, family member, or parent of someone in recovery, avoid making choices for them or pressuring them to share details. Instead, please encourage them to take accountability and control their healing process by making decisions.
Be Patient and Prepared for Setbacks
Substance use recovery is not always a linear process. Sobriety may contain slip-ups and setbacks, including drug or alcohol relapse. Patience and avoiding getting frustrated or disappointed with a loved one is essential when this happens. Relapses are often a part of the addiction recovery process and should not be viewed as a failure but rather a learning experience. Showing your loved one struggling with addiction that you’re there for them and offering them non-judgmental support can provide encouragement and accountability.
Celebrate Milestones in Recovery
Continue to celebrate your loved one’s successes on their recovery journey. Every victory is worth celebrating, whether it’s a big or small milestone. Overcoming an alcohol or drug addiction is hard work, and recognizing these efforts shows them that their progress is valued.
Talking about their short and long-term goals can help encourage them to continue moving forward in their healing process. Even after a setback, remind them that recovery is a lifelong journey and that all progress matters.
Recovery Management Program in Stuart, FL
During this National Recovery Month, if you or a loved one are battling with substance abuse, Coastal is here to help. Our medical drug detox facility in Stuart, FL, offers evidence-based treatments for those struggling with drug and alcohol abuse.
Following our medical detox and inpatient treatment programs, we provide recovery management plans for those in early addiction recovery. The road to recovery can be challenging, especially without the proper support and resources.
For addiction recovery support and resources, contact us today!
References:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2024. National Recovery Month 2024.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2023. SAMHSA Releases New Data on Recovery from Substance Use and Mental Health Problems Among Adults in the United States.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2024. 2023 NSDUH Detailed Tables.
- Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 2003. Evidence-based practices for substance use disorders.