If your close friend, partner, or relative made a decision to seek residential treatment for their addiction, this is a choice they expect you to support and celebrate – no matter how hard their life is at the current time, they took the first step towards recovery. Sometimes it is hard to find supportive phrases for rehab patients since you do not want to make the situation worse by saying something wrong, but do not be afraid – as long as you love the person and want to show them you have their back, there will be a right way for you to speak.
In this guide we will discover thoughtful and encouraging words to say to someone in rehab – support your loved one on their journey to recovery with compassion and understanding.
What to Say to Someone in Rehab
Here are a few compassionate phrases for rehab – while these are just basic sentences that may seem too simple for you, a recovering addict will be happy to know they are supported in this difficult time and there is still so much for them to enjoy and experience once they leave the rehabilitation center.
I’m Proud of You
The person’s decision to go to rehab and quit drinking or using drugs is highly commendable. When you tell someone you are proud of their commitment to recovery, they receive confirmation their choice was the right one and are more likely to continue their healing. This is one of the most uplifting statements for rehabilitation you can make – let your friend know how proud you are of their journey so far as soon as you learn about the upcoming residential treatment.
What Can I Do to Support You During This Time?
Instead of assuming what a person you are close with wants done, ask them a direct question to ensure their needs are met at a particularly vulnerable time. When an individual is undergoing rehabilitation for addiction, they may require actual help with various errands and obligations they cannot take care of at the moment – you get to do something they require to lessen their worry as they are taking a few weeks or months to focus on their mental wellness and sobriety.
I Am Here for You
Comforting words for rehab patients can be just as important as acts of service. It is possible your friend undergoing treatment is not willing to communicate with you right now, and they ignore your attempts to reach out to them. Instead of giving up on a close friend, you should just give them space to process the new chapter in their life and remind them that you are supporting them unconditionally and are ready to listen and sympathize with their struggles.
You’re Not Alone
Whether the person you are close to has been self-isolating due to their substance abuse or mental health condition or they are worried their social skills will not allow them to make friends at a rehabilitation center, you can confirm they are not going through their ordeal alone. There are family members and friends who stand by sober individuals and will remain in contact with them all the time – and supportive phrases for rehab patients can come in handy.
I Believe That You Can Maintain Sobriety
When things get hard, it is difficult to have faith in yourself – and expecting other people to believe in you is even harder. Yet people who start their sobriety journeys can count on others to have genuinely positive thoughts about what awaits them. Maintaining empathetic communication in addiction recovery, either in person or in text messages, will strengthen your friend’s belief in themselves.
How Are You Feeling?
Check in with the person on their first day in rehab, after the first night there, and after the first weekend they spend away from the environment they are familiar with – while there are medical professionals there monitoring their progress, a simple question like this coming from someone who knows them beyond their addiction problems can make all the difference.
Let’s Hang Out
More and more residential and inpatient treatment facilities encourage their clients to have a day off on the premises or somewhere outside. While you are talking one-on-one with your friend, you can support them with encouraging words for recovery, catch up on recent events in your life that they have missed, and make plans for the future when the rehabilitation comes to an end – nothing beats face-to-face communication.
Your Recovery Should Always Come First
People in rehab tend to worry about the daily responsibilities they reluctantly leave behind to take care of themselves – the feeling of guilt is very common, and without reassurance it may derail the process of recovery. Let the person who is undergoing treatment now know that their mental health is the priority and they are not selfish or irresponsible by taking a break that their physical and mental wellness need.
Just Take Things One Day at a Time
There is no point in worrying about the future week, month, or year if your immediate goal is getting through the day while being sober. Tell your friend they should not concern themselves with things that may or may not transpire in the future and come up with other similar motivational messages for rehab to ensure they are calm today.
There’s Hope for Your Recovery
In case the person you care about is undergoing residential treatment again because their previous attempt did not lead to long-term sobriety or their physical and mental state were not at their best when they were admitted to the facility, it is essential for them to know you believe in their success. Positive affirmations for addicts who may fail but never stop trying over and over again really facilitate their recovery.
What Have You Learned in Rehab Thus Far?
During the inpatient or residential treatment, the individual gets to explore their emotions, dive deep into the reasons behind their addiction, and regain control over their thoughts that prevented them from staying healthy in the past. Asking your friend about the treatment and being an active listener as they share their experience can be one of the most effective ways to support someone in rehab.
What Are Your Future Goals?
When a person is alcohol-free or drug-free, and their physical and mental well-being are on the mend, it may be time to start a casual conversation about their plans for the future. This does not have to be a discussion about significant milestones like starting a family or getting a job back – you can support a recovering addict by learning what kind of hobby they may be interested in or what concert they want to attend when they get better.
I Love You
If you are close with the individual who is in rehab right now – this is your family member, partner, or friend of many years – you must have felt your relationship was damaged by their addiction and, in particular, their behavior. They might believe they do not deserve your respect or love anymore, yet this may not be the case – say the three words they are desperate to hear and rebuild your relationship with someone you truly love.
Encourage Your Loved Ones in Rehab by Taking an Active Role in Their Addiction Treatment Journeys
Inspirational quotes for recovery someone else came up with are great but nothing beats an authentic conversation – words full of hope and reassurance can become the foundation for your relationship with a recovering addict. Knowing there is someone waiting for you out there while you are monitored round-the-clock as you are learning to live without alcohol and drugs controlling your life can be the salvation for the individual undergoing treatment. Become the source of support your loved ones need and deserve at such a challenging time.
FAQs
- Does addiction rehab actually work?
While some individuals manage to stay sober with the therapy and the support of their loved ones, others need extra time to treat their addiction – and rehabilitation facilities that offer daily therapeutic procedures, individual counseling, and group therapy empower the person to reboot and restart their life.
- What are the best supportive phrases for rehab patients?
Do not think that the most sophisticated and rehearsed speech is the right one – simplicity is often the answer, and it will mean the world to a rehab patient to hear your honest words of support, love, and commitment to aid them in recovery.
- Can I talk about the future with the recovering addict?
It may be scary to bring up the future when the past is overshadowed by addiction and the present is so unclear; still, reminding the individual about their personal and professional aspirations and setting new goals together can be one of the key talking points for you.
- How can I help my friend who is in rehab right now?
The smartest thing you can do is straight up ask what can be done to lift the burden off their shoulders. Maybe, your friend worries about their family while they are undergoing treatment – in this case, you may check up on them from time to time and stay in contact to help them emotionally and financially.
- Should I visit a person undergoing drug or alcohol rehab?
This depends on the wishes of the individual in question and the recommendations of the mental health professionals helping them – some facilities will offer visitation, while others would suggest abstaining from seeing other people for a while during the most intensive treatment.
