• About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

Treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit ➜ CALL TODAY 314.631.4299

Harris HouseHarris House
  • About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

What to Do When Your Loved One Gets Out of Rehab

January 11, 2021 Posted by grant Abuse, Blog, Recovery
Man pushing his luggage on wheels.

My loved one is coming home. Now what?

The return of a loved one after time in a residential treatment program is a joyous occasion. But it’s not without its share of uncertainty, too—including how the readjustment process will go for both of you. Knowing what to expect can be helpful when it comes to navigating this happy but often also challenging time. Here’s a closer look at some things to know about easing the transition while helping your loved one remain on track with their sober living goals.

An Ongoing Journey

The first thing to keep in mind when a loved one returns from rehab is that they are not “cured.” Addiction recovery is a journey requiring daily effort and attention. There is always potential for slips, slides, and missteps, and relapse is a common stop for many recovering addicts.

While this can be difficult to accept after coming so far, it’s also reality, and the more realistic you are about the process, the better you’ll be prepared for backslides that happen along the way. That said, there are some things you can do to help support your loved one’s health and wellbeing.

Laying the Groundwork

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) identifies four major dimensions that support recovery:

  • Health: Managing symptoms while making healthy and informed choices pertaining to physical and emotional health
  • Home: Having a safe and stable living environment
  • Purpose: Having the means and ability to participate in society and to carry on meaningful daily activities
  • Community: Maintaining relationships and social networks providing support, hope, friendship, and love

SAMHSA proposes, “Recovery is characterized by continual growth and improvement in one’s health and wellness that may involve setbacks. Because setbacks are a natural part of life, resilience becomes a key component of recovery.” These four elements support resilience across multiple pathways.

Education, Information, and Self-Care

Family sitting at the dinner table.

Something as seemingly simple as a shared family meal can go a long way toward providing a sense of stability and normalcy.

What’s one of the best ways to provide the support a loved one’s needs? Understand what they’re dealing with. Not all substance use disorders (SUDs) are the same. For example, alcoholism varies from opioid addiction. Learning more about your loved one’s specific addiction, as well as how it affects them when they’re under the influence, can help you not only be more informed, but also more empathetic and compassionate.

Substance abuse counselor and activist Carole Bennett, MA, also strongly recommends having a recovery plan in place. “A recovery plan is just that—a plan for ones in recovery to incorporate doable, realistic goals AND consequences for falling short of those goals,” she explains. This contract, which should be created together, provides critical structure while ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

One last thing to keep in mind? While your loved one’s return and recovery-in-process may take center stage, the best way to support someone to the best of your ability is to make sure you’re attending to your own health and wellness, too. As this can be a stressful time, setting aside time for self-care is critical to caregivers and other members of the support team. This also means continuing your own therapy. Even if your loved one is clean and sober now, the healing process is ongoing.

And remember, while your life has been affected by your loved one’s addiction, you are not the one ultimately responsible for recovery. Instead, focus on offering support when it’s needed while helping to create a healthy home environment which will be most conducive to recovery.

Harris House is a leading drug rehab center in St. Louis. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, a treatment program can make all the difference. Contact us today to learn about your options.

Share
0

About grant

This author hasn't written their bio yet.
grant has contributed 290 entries to our website, so far.View entries by grant

You also might be interested in

Hope for Recovery is Alive!

Sep 20, 2016

There is always hope, and always an opportunity for you[...]

Growing Gratitude in the Garden of Your Mind

Aug 4, 2022

You don’t have to pretend that negative things don’t exist.[...]

How Trauma Affects the Brain

Aug 29, 2022

Psychological trauma occurs when it is not possible to process[...]

Recent Posts

  • 2025: The Year of Self-Care in Recovery
  • New Year, New Habits: Building a Recovery-Friendly Routine for 2025
  • Staying Sober and Strong: Tips for New Year 2025
  • How to Prevent Relapse: Tips and Strategies
  • The Importance of Setting Goals in Recovery

Insurance Providers

Substance use insurance coverage and benefits can be multifaceted and will vary with the different insurance companies and plans. The Harris House Insurance Department has experience working with insurance providers to get our clients the maximum benefits possible. Let our staff do the work for you. LEARN MORE

Insurance Providers Insurance Providers Insurance Providers

Credentialing Partners

Harris House is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF International). Harris House is also certified by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, approved by the Better Business Bureau as an A+ accredited charity and a proud member of United Way of Greater St. Louis. LEARN MORE

DMH Carf BBB United Way

Contact Us

Your Recovery Can Begin Now

We're here to help.

Please reach out with any questions

CONTACT US

314-631-4299

  • About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

Treat the whole person - body, mind, and spirit ➜ CALL TODAY 314.631.4299

Harris HouseHarris House
  • About
    • Insurance
    • Credentialing Partners
    • Admissions
    • Dual Diagnosis
    • Alumni Success Stories
    • Careers
  • Treatments
    • Inpatient / Detox
    • Partial Hospitalization Program
    • Intensive Outpatient Program
    • Transitional Housing
    • Family Program
    • Continuum Of Care
  • Resources
    • News & Events
    • Blog
    • Addictions
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate
About Us
Treatments
Resources
Gallery
Contact Us
Donate

Since our founding in 1961, Harris House has grown to become a top-rated, non-profit treatment center. For individuals struggling with addiction to alcohol and drugs, Harris House helps people achieve sobriety and become healthy and productive individuals.

CREDENTIALING PARTNERS
Harris House is accredited by CARF International, certified by the Missouri Department of Mental Health, rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, and a proud United Way partner.

CALL US TODAY

314-631-4299

Harris House Treatment Center
2706 S. River Rd
St. Charles, MO 63303

Transitional Housing
8315 South Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63111

© 2025 HARRIS HOUSE FOUNDATION.

Prev Next
Call Now