The holidays can be a difficult time to discuss a friend or family member’s addiction or recovery. The right gift, however, can provide a sense of love and understanding for someone who has recently gone through a difficult time with a drug or alcohol problem.
Over 23 million Americans struggle with addiction. According to Per Wickstrom, the CEO of five drug and alcohol treatment centers in Michigan and Indiana, sadly, only a small fraction of those individuals seek help. Wickstrom says, “If your loved one is one of the few who have recently completed a treatment program for substance abuse, they will need ongoing love and support from friends and family.”
As the holiday season approaches, you may be wondering about appropriate gift ideas for your recovering friend or family member. Here is a list of the best gifts for a recent treatment graduate:
- Love and Support of Friends and Family: Often, the most meaningful gifts do not come in the monetary form. This is true for recovering addicts, as well. A shoulder to cry on, a listening ear, or a meaningful hug can be the best present for a person who has recently completed rehabilitation. In the past, their addiction has left them feeling ostracized and they may be experiencing tension as they return to a normal lifestyle. As such, the holidays are the perfect time to show unconditional love. Even though they have graduated from treatment, your loved one’s recovery will be an ongoing process that will require continual support from friends and family.
- A Guide To Meditation: Stress has been a constant factor in the life of your loved one who has struggled with addiction. When their addiction began, they were anxious to obtain their drug of choice; during recovery, they experience anxiety when confronting their past; after treatment, they may find it difficult to cope with even the smallest of stressors. Giving your loved one a guide to meditation will provide them with the tools they need to ease their anxiety as they transition into their new life.
- Yoga Classes: Yoga will not only help to heal a recovering addict’s mind, it will also help them strengthen their body. Drug and alcohol abuse leaves a body sick and weakened, yoga can help reverse the damage caused by this abuse. To show your love and support, you can even join them for a class or two!
- A Journal: Bottling up emotions is not healthy, especially for those who are in recovery from substance abuse and addiction. Often, addicts are ashamed of their feelings and may not want to openly discuss their emotions. A journal is the perfect gift to allow your loved one to express his or herself in a private manner. Journaling has countless benefits for both addicts and non-addicts, alike. In fact, reading over the journal alone, with family, or with a therapist can help an addict see their progress as they continue with their sober lifestyle.
- Something Relevant, Yet Funny: So often, an addict’s condition goes unacknowledged because of the stigma associated with substance abuse. When the addict does address their physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional issues, it is often done in a serious setting. When an addict is in recovery, it is finally time to bring some joy and humor back into their life. To show your loved one you are proud of their journey, while also making them smile, try a shirt like this one. The shirt is relevant to their situation, but also brings about a lightness that can help you ease into a conversation about their recovery process.
If you do have a loved one that needs treatment visit www.bestdrugrehabilitation.com today.
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