A solid, encouraging support system is often paramount to a recovering addict’s success in an inpatient treatment program.
That said, recovery is often an intense experience where treatment recipients undergo intense emotional, mental, and health-related therapy geared towards helping said subjects both achieve and maintain sobriety upon their return to civilian life.
Many rehab program enrollees and their family members often wonder if the facility in question will permit periodic visits.
Individual Policies
Typically, visitation policies are established by individual institutions.
That said, many rehab centers not only permit but encourage visits from a recovering addict’s kinfolk. Addiction treatment professionals understand how important a solid family unit is to the recovery process at all stages.
However, drop-ins may be subjected to specific guidelines. Once again, such provisions are usually mandated by the entity in question and might include:
- The specific days visits can be made
- The best times of day for company to occur
- When the recovering subject or facility is in the midst of a special project or community outreach effort
- In accordance with specific schedules so as not to disrupt the treatment recipient’s adaptation to new and productive routines
Each establishment is different and will likely abide by a specific set of regulations. Concerned family members are encouraged to contact said location to gain insight into their specific policies.
How Often Will Visits Be Permitted?
Many facilities do not create a visit frequency limit. That said, close relations might be encouraged to keep stopovers to a minimum.
Familial and other associations must realize that the individual in recovery yearns to formulate a new but busy and productive schedule designed to ensure their minds stay focused on the major task called recovery. Continual visits might disrupt this pattern.
Proper Visit Etiquette
When afforded the opportunity to check in on a loved one, rehab facility overseers maintain that there are certain dos and don’ts visitors should adhere to.
Dos
Concerned parties are encouraged to bring their loved one’s items like:
- Toiletries
- Money for activities
- Laundry detergent
- Change for washing machines and driers
- Comfort foods that might be unavailable at the entity in question
Prior to their trip, prospective visitors are urged to contact facility representatives who can provide information about items that are acceptable to bring.
Kinfolk might also wish to carry letters of encouragement from friends, neighbors, co-workers, and other concerned individuals.
Don’ts
Certain actions could prove counterproductive. Visitors should never:
Be Confrontational
Family members harboring resentment, bitterness, or anger towards the healing soul should refrain from visiting. Recovering addicts might find confrontations disturbing. Moreover, such conflicts could interfere with the subject in question’s progress or even force them out of recovery.
Dredge Up The Past
Everyone has heard some variation on the cliché the past is the past. However, for a former substance dependent, the advice bears even greater importance.
An addict’s past is where their demons lie. There is simply no need to go back and rehash events, mistakes, and disappointments. Typically, such actions will only result in the conjuring of negative emotions and feelings and build a greater divide between recovering person and relations.
Above all, such behavior could threaten the progress of the improving individual’s rehab.
Place Too Much Pressure On The Healing Subject
Granted, it is understandable for family members to desire their loved ones undergo a speedy and efficient recovery. However, they should not place significant amounts of pressure on them. This means refraining from behaviors including:
- Asking them what they plan to do when treatment is over
- Continually dwelling on the successes of others such as their siblings, cousins, or former classmates
- Reminding them of the responsibilities they will face upon returning home
- Drilling them about the lessons they have learned
Such constant pressuring will place untoward and unnecessary stress on the healing soul’s shoulders. This type of strain could precipitate physical illness and potentially serious mental manifestations such as anxiety disorders and depression.
Actions Loved Ones Can Take From Afar
For many close associations, visits might prove too difficult. Fortunately, such persons can still encourage and help foster their kin through this challenging period by partaking in actions including:
- Writing frequent letters
- Calling if the facility or individual in question wishes to receive phone correspondences
- Asking about the progress the recovering individual has made and displaying their pride
- Avoiding any type of negative talk
- Urging their loved one to move forward
What is truly important is that the recovering subject sees that their loved ones care.
Contacting Us
Our Houston-situated center understands how important familial support is to success in recovery and strongly encourages visitation. Persons currently experiencing addiction or witnessing a family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor battle such demons are implored to reach out to us.
We have helped numerous individuals throughout the southwestern and Midwestern United States beat chemical dependencies and always look forward to helping others achieve similar aims. Call us at 833-364-0736.