We continue to celebrate National Recovery Month throughout September. However, not all of us are in recovery ourselves. Some of us may only know someone who is, or have been touched by addiction in some other way or relation. If we are one or two degrees removed from the greater recovery community, what do we have to celebrate this month?
Recovery is good for everyone, truly. It’s still your celebration too, even if you have not personally lived through addiction. The best way you can celebrate is by supporting your friend who family member in their long-term recovery journey. How do you do that, you may ask? Here are five simple-but-meaningful recommendations of how to show your support:
- Listen to them. One of the worst things to experience is when somebody makes an incorrect assumption about you. There’s already plenty of stigma surrounding the experience of addiction and recovery. Instead of assuming, simply listen to them. Let them tell their story in their own way.
- Respect them. Many people with a history of addiction get treated poorly due to the fact that the general public paints people who have misused substances as “bad people”. Remember, addiction is a treatable disease. Do your best to respect your friends or family members, no matter what they have gone through, and no matter whether or not you fully understand or agree with their behaviors when they were sick.
- Don’t use around them. Statistically, there are more people who do not struggle with substance misuse than those who do. If you are not a person in recovery, and your friend who is in recovery is coming over for dinner, consider putting away any alcohol or paraphernalia out of site. Or, if you’re going out on the town, consider planning for activities and locations that offer ample sober options. Don’t drink or use substances in front of them. This is a very simple courtesy that can help avoid unnecessary social and scenario triggers.
- Encourage them. When your friend or family member celebrates their next milestone, congratulate them! Send that text. Write that note. It matters. Recovery is incredibly hard work, day in and day out. Any encouragement offered will be appreciated.
- Include them. It can be confusing for certain friend groups or family units when one member suddenly doesn’t accept a drink or substance the way they used to. Sometimes, people in recovery get excluded from social gatherings altogether, leading to isolation and unnecessary shame for them. Instead, if you find out your friend or family member is sober now and living in recovery, continue to invite them to join the fun. But, see point 3 again. Maybe think about whether or not your fun must include drinking or substances, too.
By practicing these five simple recommendations, we can show our loved one that they belong. We can show them that we truly value their health and their happiness. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use and wants to start their recovery journey, please reach out to The Willow Center at 317-852-3690.
-Written by Chase Cotten, Community Director
