A person who has completed drug or alcohol addiction treatment has taken a huge step toward transforming their lives for the better.
But while it’s an excellent achievement, staying sober is incredibly challenging for someone who is completely dependent on drugs or alcohol. For most, the recovery process is an emotional rollercoaster that’s filled with lots of highs and lows. Regardless of how long someone has been in addiction recovery, they may still come across some challenges that threaten their progress. If you’re in recovery or know someone who is, then you may understand how important it is to have a solid support system of people who care. As a faith-based drug and alcohol treatment center, we wanted to offer some words of encouragement for someone in addiction recovery that can be used to motivate those who are going through this challenging process.
While there are numerous prayers for sobriety, heartfelt words of encouragement for someone in recovery from addiction are also needed. But if you’ve never received addiction treatment, then you may not know what to say to encourage someone who has. Recovering from addiction can take a mental toll on a person; sometimes they just need the extra boost from someone they care about. Below are some words of encouragement for someone in recovery that can help.
While many people say this out of habit, it’s important to remind a loved one in recovery that you care and you’re available. Whether they need to laugh, cry, go out somewhere, or simply need company, there’s no better way to encourage and comfort someone in addiction recovery than telling them that you’re there for them.
Because the recovery process can be so challenging, it’s easy to feel discouraged or as if you aren’t doing enough. Reminding a person in this situation that you’re proud of them is a simple and effective way to remind them of their accomplishments and keep them motivated.
While we may mean well when we ask, “do you need help”, the question leaves room for a negative answer. Some people in recovery may feel too embarrassed or even ashamed to ask for help. They also may not want to feel like they’re being a burden to others. So, don’t ask them if they need help, make yourself available. Offer ways you can assist them or be more available to them. When you care about someone, you’ll want to help without them having to ask.
Sometimes we need to say things aloud in order to sort of reset our minds. Asking the person to list the things they’ve accomplished throughout their addiction recovery or things they feel proud of can remind them how great they’re doing.
No one is perfect, and that means that everything we do will also not be perfect. It’s common to make mistakes in life, especially when recovering from addiction. As a friend or family member, it’s important to acknowledge that setbacks will happen. It’s also important to remind that person that a setback can be as damaging as they allow it to be. In other words, encourage them to consider their mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth.
Finding the right words of encouragement for someone in recovery is important. Your words carry more weight and meaning than you realize. At Faith in Recovery, we know how impactful encouraging words are to those who are working on their sobriety.
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