Life After Recovery -- Coming Home
Once a loved one has made the amazing accomplishment of successfully completing a recovery program at Mark Houston Recovery, the continuum of care begins and one of the most important parts of that is returning home. As long as you keep in mind that recovery doesn't when then program ends then you'll understand why it's important to maintain this level of care. Meetings and Programs -- Crucial to the recovery process these involve making follow up appointments, meetings, and many recovery-type activities and events. Changing the Rules -- One of the things people get accustomed to in recovery is structure. While there's no need to alter your way of life at home entirely you might consider setting house rules to make your loved ones feel safe and secure. Obviously you'll want to have an alcohol and drug free environment. New Roles and Responsibilities -- Fresh out of recovery and eager to take part in contributing to the home the recovering addict may be a bit exuberant about getting involved. This may take some adjustment for everyone involved but it will get easier and being able to delegate some responsibilities will help as well. Keeping Communication Open -- Hopefully the communication process that began in recovery will continue and you can help with that through open and honest communication at home. This means encouraging the family to talk and listen to each other even if the conversations are not always pleasant or comfortable. Affection and Love -- Another new experience for everyone involved is showing affection since so much of that prior to recovery was induced through drugs or alcohol. Finding new ways to share feelings positively and making sure everyone involved can do the same will make a world of difference in the recovery process Recovery = New People and Place --The recovering addict will want to dispense with some of their old habits, places they frequented and even old acquaintances who may have had negative effects on their life. This alteration in their continuum of care may affect their recovery at home in terms of your social life and a certain level of understanding and appreciation for what they need to go through will facilitate this positive change. Be Mindful of Your Feelings -- Even though so much of your focus may be on making sure everyone else is adjusting and being sensitive to your loved one's feelings, be sure to have an opportunity to address your own feelings. Make sure you have an outlet to express your own feelings and that you get support as well for your efforts.
Family Counseling and Support -- Look for specialized groups that may be offered through your places like a school, church, family service agency or through your local chapter of Al-Anon or Alateen. A good counselor can help families cope with stress and changes in family dynamics. A counselor will usually meet with an individual or family once or twice a week. During these sessions, the counselor will listen, ask questions and offer ideas. The counselor may also use play, art, or stories to help children express their emotions. When you look for a counselor, try to find someone who has worked with families like yours. |
Be Vigilant For Relapse -- Early on in the first few months of returning home is when the potential for relapse is at it's greatest. Keep an eye out for 
