Navigating Family Relationships in Recovery from Substance Abuse

Written by Cassidy Webb- Guest Contributor

Living a sober lifestyle in recovery from drugs and alcohol can present many challenges. It can be particularly stressful when family relationships are thrown into the mix. There are things you can do to minimize this stress and heal the relationships with your loved ones while remaining clean and sober.

Forming a support group

It is essential to find a support group of women who understand exactly what you are going through. You can find these groups within the rooms of a 12 step meeting, an online support group, church, or another form of addiction recovery fellowship. It is most beneficial if the women in your support group are around the same age as you and have successfully rebuilt the relationships with their loved ones so they can offer advice on how to navigate this new sober journey that you are embarking on. These groups can lend a compassionate, understanding ear to talk to while you are struggling as well as improve the likelihood of remaining sober. Although your family may be supportive of your recovery, they may not fully understand the whirlwind of emotions and struggles that you will encounter in the same way a support group will.

Self care

When you stop using mood and mind altering substances, you begin to feel emotions that you may have been blocking in the past such as stress and anxiety. Without having an escape from these feelings, it is important to take care of yourself by incorporating healthy stress relieving habits into your lifestyle. Some ways to practice self care and relieve stress include yoga, meditation, low impact exercise like walking, biking, or swimming, playing music, or doing art. Find something that you love to do! In sobriety, we don’t only deserve to be sober, but we deserve to be happy. If we are radiating negative energy as a result of stress, the people around us can sense that. If we are radiating happiness and positivity, others are more likely to respond to us in healthier ways. It is essential to take care of your body and mind in order to show your family that you are working to be a better person.

Healing relationships with family

Healing a wound takes time. Consider the damage you have done within your family relationships to be like a slow, healing wound that requires delicate care. Just because you are now sober and doing the right thing doesn’t mean your family will readily accept this and forgive you overnight. Remember that you have probably damaged the trust between you and your loved ones so they may still have feelings of distrust towards you.Regaining trust in your relationships will take time. Your substance abuse has not only affected you, it has also had an impact on your family. You must remain patient and loving while having faith that in time these relationships will heal and be more beautiful than ever.

Author Bio: Cassidy Webb is an avid writer from South Florida. She works for a digital marketing company that advocates spreading awareness on the disease of addiction. Her passion in life is to help others by sharing her experience, strength, and hope.