How to Support a Friend During Opioid Rehab in Florida

It is said that addiction is difficult for more than one person. When someone suffers from addiction, they aren’t the only ones who feel the consequences – their immediate circle feels it too. Your friends and family members are just as involved in your addiction and your journey to recovery. Thus, they aim to provide the support that will surely help you get back to your feet. If you are in the role of a friend, you might be wondering what you can do when a close friend is attending a luxury rehab Florida program for addiction. Don’t worry – here are some ideas on how you can support a friend during opioid rehab in Florida, all the while making sure you don’t overwhelm them.

Ten ways to support a friend during opioid rehab in Florida

From digging up information about insurance and providing an answer to the questions like ‘does Humana cover drug rehab‘ to holding their hand in times of crisis, there’s a lot that you can do to help your friend. Here are some things to keep in mind when having a friend who is dealing with addiction.

1. Let them know you are there for the long haul

Deciding to attend rehab and try to get help for their addiction is already a huge success. However, the dropout rates of any partial hospitalization program Florida rehabs offer are high. Statistics show that people with a strong support system have much higher chances of sticking to the program and reaching that desired state of sobriety. Of course, it would be great if your friend had a network of people who would cheer them on as they face their addiction. But if that’s not the case, know that your support alone can do wonders.

It’s important to let your friend know that you are in it for the long haul. Addiction recovery can take a lot of time, as this is a disease that doesn’t have a permanent cure. Practice patience and understanding and be sure that your friend is going to benefit greatly.

2. Try to get them to take responsibility

Addiction can take its toll on personal relationships. In fact, that’s what happens in most situations. As someone with a friend who has an addiction, you most likely understand this disease’s devastating effects. Many times, people with an addiction will look for meth rehab Palm Beach treatment as a way to save their personal relationships. While people think that anything that gets a person into a rehab facility will work as long as they get the treatment they need, that’s not really the case.

Our experience backed up by numerous studies shows that people have the highest chance for recovery when they are in it for themselves. If someone wants their treatment to be a success, they need to have that desire to get better. That’s why it’s important to constantly remind your friend why they are in it and what is at stake. Of course, to support a friend during opioid rehab in Florida, it would also be beneficial to communicate the fact that your relationship isn’t beyond repair. Your presence alone will show them that they can mend the situation – but it never hurts to say these words out loud.

3. Be patient

Those who first said that patience is a virtue must have been referring to the process of rehab. The road to recovery after addiction is a long one. Those in Oxycodone rehab center, or any other form of rehab, will not be able to get better quickly. Quite the contrary – the journey to recovery is going to be a long one and it’s going to require patience. Thus, we suggest that you don’t harm yourself or your friend with unrealistic expectations.

Instead, understand that your friend will not get better overnight. Know that they might need constant reassurance and support. Most importantly, keep in mind that all of these things will require patience – and lots of it. Be ready to help your friend deal with the initial struggles and frustrations of sobriety. And don’t expect immediate improvement – addiction is never that easy.

4. Set some boundaries

Being a good friend to someone who is in an Adderall addiction rehab Boynton Beach facility isn’t all about acceptance and understanding. Sometimes, you have to provide some tough love in order to really help someone. We know that it might seem like your friend is too fragile for any kind of firm treatment. But you should never underestimate the power of boundaries – the ones you can create by saying no.

Don’t hesitate to state the kind of behavior you won’t tolerate. That will allow your friend to maintain some form of personal responsibility for their actions and their path in life. Of course, state your boundaries in a nice, respectful, gentle, and straightforward way. The last thing you want to do if you are trying to support a friend during opioid rehab in Florida is to be disrespectful and brash.

5. Don’t be afraid to point out their mistakes

This is yet another thing many people with a friend in rehab hesitate to do. Someone dealing with addiction is bound to make mistakes – and a lot of them. This is normal and to be expected. Think about it – if someone else in your close circle was making a huge mistake, wouldn’t you let them know? It should be no different once your friend is struggling with addiction. Quite the contrary – it might be even more important to voice where they might be going wrong.

What could these mistakes look like? Well, they could look like not inquiring does Tricare cover alcohol rehab and paying for treatment in full. Or it could look like abusive behavior toward the people who are just trying to help. It’s okay to tolerate someone’s mistakes and shortcomings – but it’s never okay to tolerate abuse. And this doesn’t change just because someone is going through rehab.

6. Ask them what they need

Oftentimes, we believe we know what it is that other people need. But the harsh truth is that nobody knows what’s going to be best for your friend than them. That’s why we suggest that you constantly ask your friend important questions about their needs and wishes. Do they want you to check in on them or do they prefer to come to you themselves? Would they like your physical presence or does it suffice for you to be there mentally? Is there anything particular that you can do to help them, such as finding out does Blue Cross Blue Shield cover drug rehab? You can find out the answer to all of these questions simply by asking.

Remember that a simple question about their feelings and how they are doing holds tremendous power. People who are battling any kind of disease will appreciate someone listening to them about their feelings and problems. Even if there’s nothing one can do to help, simply being there is usually more than enough.

7. Help them develop healthy habits

Healthy habits are the backbone of a person’s lifespan and longevity. While there are no guarantees, it’s common knowledge that healthy habits help you stay healthy and live a life of higher quality. The implementation of these habits is even more important during times when our health (mental and physical) isn’t in its optimal condition. That’s why the best drug addiction facilities in Florida teach their clients about the importance of healthy habits and coping skills. And that’s why we here at Bright Futures Treatment Center use the power of physical activity in all of our treatment plans.

If you want to help your friend during opioid rehab in Florida, don’t hesitate to motivate them to make some positive life changes. Things such as making a healthy meal or going for a walk can have a huge overall impact. It’s usually much easier to start making these changes once you have some good company by your side. Look through your schedule to see how much time you can dedicate to your friend and make a weekly or monthly plan that you will stick to.

8. Share some things about your life

We know that this is supposed to be about your friend and their struggles with addiction. However, putting too much focus on it, and doing it constantly, can be counterproductive. It’s normal for the focus to be on your friend and their struggles, but you should also engage in some conversation about yourself. Don’t hesitate to share with them the things that are happening in your life and the emotions that come with them. It would be good not to gloat, as that could be seen as inconsiderate. But normal catch-up talks about your life are more than okay.

This seemingly small thing can have a huge impact on a person in recovery. For starters, it can get their mind off of their addiction. Secondly, it can provide them with some sense of normalcy and help them remember the days before their addiction. Finally, it can give them a chance to be there for you, which can have an incredibly positive effect on a person. Thus, you shouldn’t hesitate to share some things happening in your personal life if you are trying to support a friend during opioid rehab in Florida.

9. Learn what are the signs of relapse

In the perfect world, a person would seek professional help for their addiction, go through the Inpatient and Outpatient programs in Florida, and be cured for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, that’s not always what happens. Many individuals will relapse at some point, after which they will need professional help once again. The first thing we want you to realize is that relapsing isn’t the end of the road for a person and their sobriety. It does set one back, but it doesn’t have to be a point of no return. However, it’s always much better and easier once a person seeks help as soon as they relapse. That’s where you as a friend enter the scene.

By noticing the signs of relapse early on, you can help your friend get the care that they need in due time. You don’t have to spend a lot of time with your friend to be able to notice that something is going on. Simply keeping a watchful eye for any of the following signs will be enough to act in due time and prevent a bigger problem from arising:

• They are borrowing money from you or someone in your vicinity
• Their physical appearance is starting to change and they are no longer devoted to their hygiene
• They experience behavioral changes and start acting compulsively
• They are in denial when confronted with the fact that they might be relapsing
• Their former habits are suddenly becoming glorified once again
• They experience frequent mood swings
• They start hanging out with their old contacts that are a bad influence
• Their attendance at meetings and therapy is significantly reduced

What can you do? Well, you can patiently explain that they are going down a dangerous road. Likewise, you can offer to help them through rehab once again. But that’s all you can really do – the rest is up to them.

10. Help them seek support from other places

When it comes to addiction recovery, support seems to be the operative word. And that support shouldn’t come just from you. Sure, it helps that you are there to help with dilemmas and questions such as does Aetna cover rehab, but your friend will need additional support from people who are going through the same thing.

Most often, that help will come from groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous or different 12-step meetings that deal with opioid addiction. You might also need to help them find a reputable rehab facility that deals with their form of addiction. Either way, being surrounded by people who share the same struggles is going to help your friend more than anything. These meetings are a place where one can open up and hear about other people’s problems (and the solutions to those problems), which is why they should be an integral part of recovery.

People going through addiction are oftentimes too overwhelmed to deal with some mundane things. They might not have enough energy to find out is rehab covered under FMLA or where they can go to get the help they need. That’s why it’s always good to have a compassionate friend nearby, as they will fill in the gaps.

What not to do if trying to support a friend during opioid rehab in Florida?

Being aware of some of the things you shouldn’t do is just as important as knowing what the right actions are. People who are dealing with an addiction of any kind are very sensitive, and any unwanted action could hinder their progress. We are sure that’s the last thing you would want for your good friend. That’s why we would like to bring your attention to the following five things.

1. Forget about nagging

Many people believe that nagging is a sign of worrying about someone’s wellbeing. While that might be true, it’s certainly not something that’s going to bring any positive results when someone is recovering from addiction. Thus, we suggest you find other more productive ways of expressing your concern. Nothing you say should be bothersome for the person with an addiction.

2. Forget about control

While your friend might not be going through the best of times right now, their life is still their life. That’s why you shouldn’t try to take control of it. You might feel like you are helping by scheduling their meetings and finding a new therapist for them. But if they haven’t asked you for help, then you are just being controlling. The best you can do is put yourself at their disposal, offer your help, and wait for them to come to you. Trust us – if they need help with appointments or finding out does Cigna cover alcohol rehab, they’ll come to you.

3. Forget about judgments

Many people view addiction as a choice that one has made. But this disease is a lot more complex than that – it’s called a disease, after all. And even if you are someone who believes that addiction is a matter of choice, you should keep in mind that we all make mistakes. Thus, don’t let yourself become judgmental. If you are trying to support a friend during opioid rehab in Florida, that’s probably the worst thing you can do. Even if you have good intentions – they aren’t enough unless your actions match them.

4. Forget about inconsistency

Being consistent is important for every aspect of your life. But if you are trying to help a friend through opioid rehab in Florida, one of the worst things you can do is be inconsistent. Your friend needs to be able to count on you. Whether that be for providing pieces of information, such as does Aflac cover alcohol rehab, to actually showing up for planned activities, your friend needs to know that you will be there. Of course, life is unpredictable, and something might pop up, preventing you from attending a meeting with them. That’s a completely different situation that won’t happen on a daily basis.

5. Forget about unrealistic expectations and results

One of the most detrimental things you can do when trying to help a friend through opioid rehab in Florida is to create unrealistic expectations and impose them on the person. Just because you expect that they will become sober after a week in rehab doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen. By imposing these expectations on them, you will only make them feel like a failure once they fail to meet them. After all, there’s a reason why heroin rehab programs in Florida last for weeks and months at a time. Because let’s be honest, who can get over a year-long addiction in a matter of days? That’s why you should let your friend go at their own pace. Always remember that this process isn’t about you – it’s about them.

You can show your support in many different ways

Perhaps you have your own ideas as to what you can do to support a friend during opioid rehab in Florida. And whether your ideas coincide with ours or not, you should definitely use them. After all, we have no doubt that you only want what’s best for your friend. We would be happy if any of the ideas we have just given you help you get your friend through opioid rehab. Just be careful not to be impatient and overstep your boundaries. Otherwise, your best intentions could turn into a burden for your friend.