Choosing to get help for your addiction is the first step towards recovery. However, this decision is the hardest to make for a multitude of reasons. How should you tell your friends and family you’re going to rehab? How will your friends, family, and peers perceive this decision? Have you failed your family? Will this actually work or is it a waste of time and money? Although all of these concerns are valid, nine times out of ten your loved ones and the people around you have been wanting this for you as well.
The effects of addiction are not limited to the user. Addiction affects the lives and mental health of the people closest to you as well; your friends and family. A big part of rehab and addiction treatment is rebuilding these relationships to have a strong support system. However, the first step is telling these individuals you are going to make the effort to get help. Below are some tips for learning how to tell your friends and family you’re going to rehab.
Choose a Time and Place
Deciding to go to rehab and telling your loved ones is no easy task, but creating a plan will help you when you’re ready. Plan an appropriate time, in a safe space, to tell your parents you are going to treatment. Rather than waiting until they are walking out the door for work. These conversations tend to come with many emotions which spark long, and sometimes overwhelming conversations.
Choosing a safe space is just as important as allowing enough time for this tough conversation. You want to pick a place where both parties feel comfortable expressing themselves. Public Places that have other people around can make it awkward and uncomfortable to talk about serious topics such as rehab. Furthermore, setting different times and places for each person you choose to open up with avoids an ambush and allows you to get your point across freely.
Be Open and Honest
Rebuilding relationships and creating a support system with loved ones you may have hurt is important before entering treatment. As an addict, you have probably told lies and lost the trust of the people closest to you. Coming clean and apologizing to these individuals is a great first step towards the healing process of these relationships.
Your loved ones most likely already know that you were not being honest during your struggle, however, hearing from you shows them that you are taking the right steps towards being open and honest in your recovery journey.
Be Understanding
Family and friends of an addict go through a rollercoaster of emotions when it comes to the addiction. Disbelief turns into sadness, which can turn from anger to giving up on the fact that they will ever get the help they need. Addiction is a disease that needs to be worked on and maintained throughout your life. Many addicts say they are going to get help but never end up following through. On the other hand, many will go through treatment but relapse weeks, months, or years later.
Being patient and understanding why your family feels the way they do will only help with the treatment and forgiving process. Owning up to the heartbreak you have caused and being completely transparent will only further help your family feel as if you are really ready to change your life around.
Write Your Thoughts Down
Expressing your feelings and emotions into words can be difficult for anyone when having serious conversations. Face-to-face interactions can shy people away from getting their truth out. Rather than letting this fear scare you, write how you feel down. Don’t settle for a lengthy email or text, grab a pen and paper and write. A physical letting is seen to be more heartfelt and meaningful than a text or email.
Furthermore, writing a letter allows the recipient to sit with emotions before reacting. Rather than both parties getting all worked up, you are both able to think about what was said and understand the situation a little better. The writer is able to get out everything they intended on saying without forgetting or stumbling over words. As well as giving the reader a clearer understanding.
Don’t Try and Predict the Unknown
Predicting what your friends and family will think when you tell them you’re going to rehab will only keep you away from having the conversation. You’ll never know what someone will say or how they will react unless you try. Always remember the hardest part is accepting you need help, once you’ve done that your loved ones will support you through the rest.
Seek Help Today
If you are ready to accept that you need help and take the first steps towards recovery, contact the Harm Reduction Center. Our team of experienced professionals understands that beginning the recovery process is scary and difficult. Our private healthcare facility offers all of the resources you need to start you on your way to freedom. Don’t wait until it is too late, contact us today.
