Drug and alcohol addiction can cause significant problems in many areas of your life. Seeking treatment for addiction is one of the best decisions you can make for your long-term health and well-being.
The road to recovery can come with challenges, and it’s important to have support during each stage of treatment. Professional support is essential, but the support of your loved ones can also help you reach your recovery goals and embrace sobriety.
Many people participate in an inpatient rehab program at the beginning of their recovery. Inpatient treatment provides valuable treatment, supervision, and structure that can help you thrive in the earliest days of addiction recovery. Some may be curious about what happens during inpatient rehab programs and wonder if family members can visit.
In many cases, family members are not only allowed but encouraged to visit people in rehab. Each rehab facility has its own structure and rules, so you’ll have to ask about the rules at your center. But often, there will be time for family members and others to visit during rehab.
This article will explore rehab visitation rules, how to communicate with someone in rehab, and the importance of family support during recovery. Reach out to the specialists at The Living Room to learn more about our high-quality addiction rehab programs and how to find the support you need during any stage of recovery.
Can My Family Visit Me in Rehab?
Usually, family members will be encouraged to visit loved ones during rehab. Family support is critical for people in rehab and afterward, so maintaining good communication and family support is important.
When appropriate, social workers, doctors, and other treatment staff include family members and provide updates about people’s progress in recovery. They may also provide connections to community resources for family members who need additional education about addiction or support to cope with their loved one’s addiction. This coordination may happen during family visits or during special family therapy and education sessions.
If your family simply wants to visit and spend time with you, your treatment team will likely encourage that. Each rehab facility has its own policies for visitation, so be sure to check with the treatment team to find out when your family will be allowed to visit, how long they can stay, and what items they are allowed to bring you.
The Importance of Family Involvement During Recovery
Family involvement during recovery can help both the addicted person and the family members themselves. When one person in a family lives with addiction, everyone is affected. Family members may have complex feelings and reactions to their loved one’s substance abuse, and many people find that they need additional support to navigate this complex, emotionally charged issue.
The adverse effects of addiction within a family can vary from person to person. However, many families affected by addiction have shared experiences and feelings, including:
- Anger
- Frustration
- Embarrassment
- Shame
- Guilt
- Confusion
- Feelings of abandonment
Family members may take on additional roles to cover for the addicted person or fall into destructive patterns of enabling. Many people experience a great deal of stress when their loved one sinks deeper into substance abuse but do not know what to do to get out of the situation.
Comprehensive family-focused addiction treatment programs usually incorporate family therapy and education into treatment plans because identifying and addressing family issues can create a more healing environment for everyone involved.
How to Support a Loved One in Rehab
If you love someone in rehab, there are many ways you can show your love and support in addition to visiting.
First, it’s important to note that many people in recovery feel shame, embarrassment, or loneliness as a result of their addiction. Staying connected and choosing to be involved in their recovery process is a valuable show of ongoing love and support.
Supportive families that create a safe environment for their addicted loved ones can help them reach their goals and live a healthy, sober lifestyle. Some of the ways family members can support a loved one in rehab include:
- Visiting during approved visitation times
- Writing letters and emails of encouragement and support
- Participating in family therapy sessions
- Joining a 12-step group for family members of addicts
- Learning about addiction as a disease
- Not bringing up the addict’s past mistakes
- Offering non-judgmental support and encouragement
Some of these ways of supporting a loved one in rehab require family members to do some work. Commit to learning about addiction and find the support you need so that you can be a source of unconditional support for your addicted loved one.
Learn More Now
If you or someone you love is in rehab or needs addiction treatment, you are not alone. Reach out to the dedicated team at the Living Room now to learn about our high-quality, holistic addiction treatment programs.
Our addiction and mental health specialists understand that addiction affects all members of a family. That is why we involve the entire family system in treatment programs, allowing everyone to understand addiction and heal together.
Reach out today to learn more about our programs or schedule an intake assessment.