Being able to effectively communicate with those closest to you during the drug and alcohol treatment and recovery process is a very important contributing factor to the success of your recovery.
Addiction can be a very dark and lonely time in one’s life. Oftentimes, someone abusing drugs or alcohol has the tendency to shut out the people they care about the most. This barrier can have serious consequences and ultimately ruin long-term relationships. Having a strong support system to lean on during drug and alcohol treatment will set a strong foundation for ongoing communication and transparency. When times get tough, you turn to your loved ones, and Banyan Chicago is here to offer tips for effective communication with them.
Why Communication Is Crucial
For someone living with the weight of regrets during their drug use, being able to express their daily struggles is a huge relief. Our Chicago addiction treatment center is full of supportive doctors and staff members who are there at all times to listen and provide comfort during this trying time. Talking through negative thoughts and feelings with addiction specialists will allow individuals to remain focused on the end goal of long-term sobriety and a healthy lifestyle. At Banyan’s rehab in Chicago, we encourage open communication during your addiction treatment experience with us, so you can stay on track on your road to recovery.
When times get tough, you turn to your loved ones and Banyan Treatment Center is here to guide you on the right path to recovery.
Communication Tips for Addiction Recovery
Addiction affects not only the person using the substance but also affects their loved ones. It may be very difficult to come to terms with the reality that a family member or friend is addicted to drugs. However, communication during treatment will allow all parties involved to move forward together and form a strong bond for the recovery process. Below are some crucial tips for effective communication that may assist the addict and their loved ones in bridging the gap caused by substance abuse.
- Come from a place of love and acceptance: Love will set the tone for positive communication when the addict may already feel ashamed and afraid to approach the situation with loved ones.
- Allow yourself to forgive your loved one: The step has been taken to get the proper help with treatment, so it’s time to forgive them for any wrongdoings they may have done while under the influence of drugs, and it is also time to move forward.
- Strengthen the addict’s confidence: This is a very low and dark time for someone battling addiction. By helping your loved one regain their confidence, you can positively affect their treatment.
- Practice empathy: Empathy means understanding and sharing the feelings that others are experiencing. This is essential during addiction treatment, which can cause a person to feel isolated. When communicating, try to understand their emotions, thoughts, and experiences from their perspective.
- Look for nonverbal cues: It may come as a surprise to some that 55% of communication is nonverbal.1 This can include tone of voice and body language, which may convey emotions that a person is not able to express verbally. Use eye contact, stay engaged, and follow along with what they are telling you both verbally and nonverbally.
- Set clear expectations: It is important for a person in recovery to know what to expect throughout the process. This can help them feel they have more control during a situation that constantly makes people feel out of control.
- Use concise language: It is important to be as clear as possible about what you want to convey. People aren’t mind readers, and leaving room for uncertainty can produce feelings of doubt, especially in a person who is struggling with a substance use disorder.
Most importantly, establish trust early on in the process and let your loved one know that they can share anything with you. By following these tips, you will be able to establish a strong foundation for communication during treatment. We encourage patients of our Chicago drug rehab and their loved ones to employ these tips as a means to start rebuilding parts of the relationship that have been hurt by addiction. Whether you require alcohol treatment or recovery from drugs, you are not alone in this fight. We are here to help you regain control. Contact our treatment center today for more information!
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, give Banyan Treatment Centers Chicago a call at (888) 280-4763. We will be with you every step of the way.
Source
- The University of Texas Permian Basin - How Much of Communication Is Nonverbal?
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If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, give Banyan Treatment Centers Chicago a call, we are here to help: (888) 280-4763.
