Recovery Orient Yourself - Family Concerns

Recovery from addiction or mental health disorders is a very difficult process. Your loved one will face a significant life style changes in the process of recovery. By extension it is likely that you will also face a significant life style change. Entering recovery is tough but, still tougher is retaining the recovery process to establish a long term recovery.

There will be ups and downs in the quest for a long term recovery. Relapses are common and should be expected. However, there are many ways to prevent or lessen the effects of any relapse.

Your loved one needs your support. But, they don't need your nagging. The distinction can be hard to identify and may vary from one person to another. Therefore, it is best if you can involve yourself in a mutual support group in your area for your own benefit and the best way to avoid becoming an 'enabler'.

There are a number of options for support groups and a list is provided below of the major groups and other organizations that can refer you to a support system in your area.

Some pointers that may help.

Ask to be a part of the treatment program with your loved one.
Attend any family sessions that are offered
Find your own mutual support group
Read the literature of any recovery support group in your area. AA, NA, Al-anon, NAMI, Key consumers, Mental Health America.
Ask to be a part of the recovery plan or relapse prevention plan that is established in treatment.
Support your loved one in attending one or more mutual support groups for themselves.
Support life style changes

Support group info sources for families/friends.

For primary alcohol dependence
• http://www.al-anon.alateen.org

For primary drug dependence
• http://naranon.com/

For primary Mental Health (national alliance of mental illness) and (National mental health America)
• http://www.nami.org/
• http://www.nmha.org/