Watching a loved one battle addiction can be challenging. You want them to succeed and find health and happiness. However, if your loved one wants to leave treatment early, it can feel frightening and overwhelming. Supporting your loved one’s journey is essential to both their well-being as well as yours. Here are a few tips to keep in mind if your loved one wants to leave treatment early.
Listen to Their Reasoning
Actively listening is a significant part of supporting someone in treatment for addiction. Why do they want to leave treatment? What are their concerns? Are they willing to transfer directly to a new facility or program? Ask questions and simply listen. Your loved one will benefit from feeling heard and supported.
Remind Them of Their Goals
Your loved one may benefit from spending time talking about their goals. What are they working towards? Is there anything you can do to help them move closer to those goals? Remind them that professional support will allow them to work through and better understand the struggles they are facing.
Encourage Them to Talk With Their Therapist
Therapists are trained to understand mental health issues and common behaviors. Wanting to leave treatment, especially at the beginning of treatment, is very common. Encourage your loved one to talk with their therapist about their feelings.
Remind Them of Your Boundaries
Having solid and stable boundaries with your loved one will help them as they face their addiction and mental health issues. If you set boundaries with your loved one before treatment, it is imperative to maintain those boundaries during and after treatment. Remind your loved one what your expectations are and what behaviors will not be tolerated. This will help them realize your boundaries are serious and will be enforced. Work with a mental health professional to better understand how you can set appropriate boundaries and help your loved one through their recovery process.
If you find yourself in a situation where your loved one wants to leave treatment early, it can be challenging to know how to react. Show your loved one support and listen to why they want to leave treatment. Encourage them to talk with their therapist and help them to remember why they chose to attend treatment. Set and maintain firm boundaries. Here at The Guest House, we understand that addiction affects the entire family. We are here to help and support you and your family. Call us at (855) 483-7800 to learn more about our treatment options.