Drug and alcohol rehab programs are designed to heal the addict – mentally, physically and spiritually – freeing them from a life controlled by the vice grip of addiction. Though, effective addiction recovery doesn’t end there. To help treat the whole person, it also needs to extend beyond the addict to help them mend the broken relationships within their entire social network of family and friends. By repairing old relationships and learning how to create new, healthier ones, addicts can fuel their sobriety with a strong support system and a more fulfilling life. And, developing better communication skills can help addicts do just that. By learning how to communicate more effectively (and positively), individuals with alcohol and substance abuse issues can build and maintain stronger relationships with others – one of the cornerstones to lasting sobriety.
Here are a few strategies you can use to boost your communication skills:
- Start with yourself. If you’ve battled substance abuse issues in the past, you may get into a negative cycle of beating yourself up for the mistakes you’ve made. Though, you can’t build healthy relationships with others if you don’t have a healthy relationship with yourself. Try to be more mindful of your own “self-talk” and challenge those thoughts that don’t serve you.
- Ask questions. One of the easiest ways to start a conversation and keep it going is to have a genuine interest in what the other person has to say. More often than not, your friends and family will thoroughly appreciate your interest in their life.
- Put away your phone. These days, it fairly common to see people checking in on social media, texting and reading emails on their phone – virtually 24/7. Though, if you find yourself getting distracted by your phone during conversations, make a point to put it away or turn it upside down so you can’t see the screen. You can’t fully engage in the conversation if you’re preoccupied by something else.
Achieving and maintaining a life of sobriety can be challenging. Though, it also represents an opportunity to strengthen your personal relationships with others once you are free from the cloud of addiction. By ending negative communication patterns that were holding your relationships back and replacing them with healthier alternatives, you can enjoy more meaningful and honest relationships with others.
Comprehensive Life Skills Training
10 Acre Ranch drug rehab is a social treatment model that emphasizes therapeutic group activities like anger management, cognitive therapy, and 12-step programming. Living in a supportive community prevents clients from becoming alienated during recovery, and teaches them interpersonal skills that are helpful during and after rehabilitation. While group therapy is a powerful tool in the recovering addict’s arsenal, individual therapy may also be recommended for addiction treatment.
To tour our facility or discuss alcohol rehab for yourself or a loved one, dial (877) 228-4679 or submit a confidential online inquiry today.
