Journey Healing Centers Releases 6 Addiction Aftercare Tips for Families
Scottsdale, Arizona (PRWEB) July 17, 2013 -- To assist the millions of families impacted by loved ones dealing with addiction, Journey Healing Centers (private drug and alcohol treatment) announces 6 tips for how to help loved ones stay healthy and sober. The sad and sudden loss of Actor Cory Monteith from "Glee" at the way too young age of 31 is a reminder that addiction can be so challenging for the individual and their loved ones.
While no one knows exactly what happened to Cory Monteith, the BC Coroners Service reports show the young actor died last weekend because of mixed drug toxicity, involving heroin and alcohol. The actor publicly shared his struggles with addiction, and Journey Healing Centers is saddened by this loss. His parents divorced when he was 7, he found drugs and alcohol by 12, was in and out of rehab starting at age 19, and recently left treatment in April 2013.
According to SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association), half of all adults over age 18 know someone in recovery from an addiction to alcohol, illicit drugs, or prescription drugs. To assist families in "getting their loved ones back," Journey Healing Centers focuses on family care and holistic healing during and after treatment. During treatment, family members are invited to weekly therapy sessions and family programming so everyone heals together and there is a support system when the client goes home.
Once the client leaves treatment, the environment is so important to the addict’s recovery and sobriety success. The licensed doctors and therapists at Journey Healing Centers recommend that loved ones consider taking these actions to support loved ones:
1. Reinforce the positive with complements to loved ones who take action to seek help for addiction.
2. Create a safe haven where the individual can feel free to share versus feel shame. Being able to listen without judgment when a loved one is having a bad day is key. The desire to use drugs and alcohol may be high. If someone can share feelings without worry of being judged, shamed or put down, it is another key to a healthy environment.
3. Be supportive of the loved one's desire to stay sober and do not drink or do drugs around loved ones who just left recovery. Keep their home environment free of alcohol and drugs. Loved ones may claim to be ok if drinking is around, but in reality, this is not a good idea until more time in sobriety has passed.
4. Regularly check in with loved ones when they get out of treatment with daily calls and in-person visits. If the loved one has to travel, ask what and who their support systems will be on the road to avoid an urge to use. Working with the individual on a solid plan and assisting when asked will be a great support. Be aware of the difference between supporting and pushing a loved one too hard.
5. Assist loved ones in finding activities or new hobbies that can replace the partying or using time. Sports, yoga, meetings, and community service are all a great start.
6. Help loved ones change their environment. It’s important that an individual change their environment when deciding to live a sober life. To avoid relapses, they should not hang out in bars or go to parties often, and may even need to change friends. Not all friends will be supportive and might push the person to use by saying "it’s ok if you just have one", and not understand the real consequences. It may be easier to give into temptation than to stay strong, which is why a positive environment is so important. Sometimes an individual’s work or home environment encourages a party atmosphere, so a great support system in a new setting is a must for sobriety.
Fewer than 20 percent of Americans say they would think less of a friend or relative if they discovered that person is in recovery from addiction to alcohol and/or drugs (SAMHSA). Family and friend support is critical to recovery, and awareness of how to help is essential.
Media Contact
Liz Brown
l-310-987-7207
About - Journey Healing Centers are private drug and alcohol treatment centers in Arizona and Utah. The licensed doctors and therapists have assisted thousands of individuals recover from addiction with dignity and respect while reuniting families back together again. JHC has a 95% completion success rate (industry average is 48% according to SAMSHA, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association) and holds the highest level of global accreditation. JHC provides Residential Programs, Outpatient Facilities, Day Treatment, Sober Living Homes, Family Programming, Free Aftercare for Life and a Sobriety for Life Program. The company has been featured on MTV's Gone Too Far, USA Today, Psychology Today, People Magazine, NPR and many other media. For questions about drug or alcohol addiction, call Journey Healing Centers’ 24-Hour Hotline: 1-866-774-5119 http://journeycenters.com
Liz Brown, Journey Healing Centers, http://journeycenters.com, 310-987-7207, [email protected]
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