2 Important Things to Do When Allowing a Loved One to Move In after Completing Rehab

Posted on: 31 August 2015

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Helping a close relative overcome an addiction is a wonderful effort to take, but it can also be a challenging experience. When a loved one is finishing up rehab, one way you might want to help is by offering to allow him or her to live in your home. If he or she agrees, you may need to take some steps to help this person stay clean while living with you. Here are two methods that may help you achieve this.

Talk to the person's counselor

Rehab is a great way to detoxify a person from drugs or alcohol, but ongoing therapy is often needed to keep the person clean. One requirement you may want to make is that he or she continues to seek help from a substance abuse counselor. In addition, you might want to require your loved one to sign a form that allows the counselor to discuss his or her case with you.

If you do this, you will be able to stay in touch with the counselor yourself. This will offer several key benefits, including these:

  • You can make sure your loved one is attending all sessions.
  • You will be aware of the potential risks and signs of substance abuse.
  • You can learn strategies to help your loved one stay clean.

This will cultivate a relationship between you and the counselor for the good of your loved one. With both of you working together, you can hold this person accountable for his or her actions, motivate him or her, and develop strategies for helping this person stay clean.

Make your home a safe place

Some recovering addicts have lapses when they return to their original environment. It can be hard to live a new life when the circumstances, environment, and situation do not change. By opening your home to your relative, you can offer a different environment for this person. This new environment must be safe, calm, and pleasant. Your home must also be free of things that might trigger the addiction, and this may involve getting rid of the following:

  • All alcohol in your house
  • Any tobacco products that might be sitting around
  • All prescription medications and most over-the-counter drugs
  • Other products containing alcohol, such as rubbing alcohol, nutmeg, and vanilla extract

As you make your home safe for your relative's arrival, there is one other thing you should understand. The word HALT in recovery is an important philosophy that stands for hungry, anger, lonely, and tired. These are four common triggers that lead to relapse, and you should try to remember these things as you are getting ready to welcome your relative into your home.

If you would like to learn more about this subject, you can talk to a substance abuse counselor from an establishment like Headwaters Counseling. This is the best way to find out how to help a recovering addict stay away from alcohol or drugs after receiving treatment.