Rehabilitation and recovery are challenging processes for many individuals. This is because it forces changes and developments in behaviours that an individual may have never experienced or practised before.
This means that rehabilitation is both a physically and mentally taxing process, and individuals often require support across multiple stages in order to facilitate an effective recovery.
Because of this, it is important that individuals have a strong social support network around them.
This can include close friends and family that the individual trusts, a partner or spouse, as well as medical professionals that can help facilitate the process, as well as providing advice and techniques for the different stages of care.
Many studies suggest that the quality of care and support provided by medical professionals in the addiction field is a heavily contributing factor to the success of an individual’s time in rehabilitation, as well as their perception of the process overall (1).
This means that having the right people around the individual during this process is essential and could make a lot of difference when it comes to the effectiveness of care and the longevity of their sobriety going into the future.
It is a common misconception during the recovery journey and recovery process that individuals do not have time for anything other than therapy, treatments, and various other related activities.
However, this is rarely the case.
In most cases, individuals will be given free time in which to spend in a way that the individual chooses.
This is especially true for individuals in inpatient rehabilitation (i.e., a dedicated rehab centre), but is especially true for outpatient care when individuals continue living at home/in their own space during treatment.
However, during care there will always be opportunity to speak to others and form relationships.
For example, group therapy is a commonly implemented form of drug addiction recovery, and individuals in this type of care will have many opportunities to speak to others in similar situations, as well as after these sessions.
If socialisation is especially important to the individual, then they should ensure to mention this to an addiction care officer or medical professional before making any final decisions as to the future of their rehabilitative care programme.
Making and maintaining social relationships during drug rehabilitation and the recovery process is often the last thing on most peoples’ minds, but there are many benefits to making and keeping friends and sources of support during one’s time in care.
There are many benefits from this, including learning from others’ experiences, feeling understood and connected due to shared experiences, and motivation to attend and commit fully to different treatment programmes.
Surrounded by close friends and sources of support, individuals can benefit massively from different treatment programmes and some of the main ways that individuals can achieve this are described across the following subheadings.
This is the most common way that individuals in rehabilitation may think to make and maintain relationships, as group therapy is a great way to communicate with and meet others in a safe and respectful environment.
Group therapy, also known as group talking therapy, is a very common therapy suggested to individuals struggling with addiction and working toward recovery.
This is because it allows individuals to meet others who may be in similar situations, as well as encouraging them to be more open and understanding about their own experiences and the experiences of others around them.
One of the most common forms of group therapy is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) which follows steps to recovery and actively encourages sharing and learning from experiences.
Studies in the past have praised group therapy due to its move away from the traditional ostracization of those struggling with addiction and mental health issues and its overall move toward inclusion and acceptance as a form of treatment instead (2).
Another way to meet others during rehabilitation is to join other groups or communities that are related to something that the individual is interested in.
This is a great way to meet others and form relationships in general, as it is likely that individuals in these specific groups will already have common interests that relate to the group, meaning that connections are much easier to make anyway.
In the context of recovery and rehabilitation, joining groups related to hobbies and other interests is also one of the best ways to meet people as it will boost the individual’s confidence as a result of the acceptance into these groups and their involvement within them.
Addiction can often leave individuals feeling as though they have no control over their lives, so signing up to something that is related to a genuine hobby of theirs can greatly reduce this and improve overall confidence and sense of control in one’s life.
One final tip for making and maintaining social relationships is to be honest about yourself. This includes being honest with oneself, as well as to those around you during different stages of recovery.
It is not possible to form meaningful and supportive relationships if the parties involved are not honest with each other, as there will always be something unsaid or something that is swept under the rug that may later cause issues.
When it comes to addiction recovery, it can be hard admitting to struggling and dealing with the effects of addiction, but the right people will always support individuals, especially if they are honest and open with them from the start.
So now you have met a new connection or connections during rehabilitation or while doing an activity that you generally enjoy – but how do we maintain these relations?
It is common for many people to make a friend for a short period of time before losing contact or slowly falling apart in terms of social connection.
In order to maintain these relationships and continue the support that they provide in the long term, an individual must be prepared to maintain and uphold a number of standards and behaviours in their relationships.
The best tips for maintaining a relationship in long term recovery are listed across the following subheadings.
As mentioned in the tips for initially forging these relationships, being open and honest is the first step to making a relationship last. This is essential to maintain a positive relationship dynamic.
This is true of all relationships and social connections but can be especially applied to those made during rehabilitation and recovery.
By being open and honest about one’s situation in rehabilitation, it is far more likely that an individual will maintain a long-term, healthy, and strong relationship.
In addition, this form of support may be especially beneficial in situations in which the person that the individual has made a relationship with is more able to help due to their knowledge about the situation.
For example, a person would be far more supportive and willing to help in the case of a potential relapse if they knew that the individual was struggling with addiction before the fact, as this would greatly improve their ability to help out.
In all relationships, individuals must set and withhold boundaries.
These may differ from relationship to relationship, as well as from person to person, but understanding these boundaries and respecting them at all times is absolutely essential for a healthy relationship.
For example, some relationships may have strong boundaries about physical touch, whereas others would be dependent on it. Some individuals have strong feelings toward being touched without permission, whereas others may depend on it as a form of validation and/or reassurance.
Though it should go without saying, respect within relationships is important to withhold, no matter how short or long-term the relationship is.
Even in long-term relationships (especially, in most cases), it is vital that both parties continue to remind the other that they are respected, needed, and appreciated.
This is a great way to maintain a relationship, as both parties will feel much more positively about the relationship with verbal reassurance rather than hoping it goes unsaid.
This can be achieved with small statements such as “I really appreciate that you have been my friend for so long,” but can also be used in much more specific environments that are unique to each relationship.
When it comes to recovery from addiction, it is likely that an individual will have to experience and cope with large changes to their life.
This can be changes to their living situation, changes in their health, and changes to their social circle, amongst many examples.
If you have a relationship with someone going through this process, then it is vital that there is space allowed in the relationship to accommodate this.
Although it may not be suitable to comment on every single one of these changes, simply being aware and encouraging of the situation is a great way to let someone know that you are there for them – no matter what.
In all instances of making and maintaining relationships, it is important that individuals are patient and forgiving of each other.
We are all human; we all make mistakes.
By simply being aware of these statements and being respectful and patient with those around you, individuals are far more likely to respond positively to the support that this provides, allowing for greater and more meaningful relationships that last long into the future.
Rehab 4 Addiction is a specialised referral system, dedicated to helping individuals to find the most suitable and appropriate form of rehabilitation for them, whether this is weekly therapy sessions or finding the most suitable rehab centre in their area.
To find out how we can help you or someone you know in the rehabilitation and recovery journey, call our addiction support line on 0800 140 4690 today.
We are ready and waiting to provide free and confidential advice to all who need it, no matter your background or history with addiction and its effects.
[1] Adejoh, S.O., Temilola, O.M. and Adejuwon, F.F., 2018. Rehabilitation of drug abusers: the roles of perceptions, relationships and family supports. Social work in public health, 33(5), pp.289-298.
[2] Orto, A.E.D., 1975. Goal Group Therapy: A Structured Group Experience Applied to Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation. Journal of Psychedelic Drugs, 7(4), pp.363-371.
Boris is our editor-in-chief at Rehab 4 Addiction. Boris is an addiction expert with more than 20 years in the field. His expertise covers a broad of topics relating to addiction, rehab and recovery. Boris is an addiction therapist and assists in the alcohol detox and rehab process. Boris has been featured on a variety of websites, including the BBC, Verywell Mind and Healthline. You can connect with Boris online at LinkedIn or X.com.
