Back to Blog Posts
Before you began walking the path of recovery, you might have damaged personal relationships in your life. If you care to repair them, it’s crucial that you show the people in your life that you have changed. Although it can be an excellent first step, telling them that you have changed may not be enough. The people in your life are going to want to see that you are a different person. Learning how to take steps in the right direction can help you in repairing damaged relationships.
Create a New, Healthy Routine
One person’s struggle with substance use can affect an entire family. The mental and physical well being of your loved ones may have taken a toll while watching you struggle. When you begin recovery, it's normal to want to commit to rebuilding your relationships with family and friends. To show them that you are serious, you can develop a new daily routine.
An excellent way to start your daily routine is to incorporate exercise into your new way of life. Working out can be done at home or a gym. Exercise can not only improve physical strength but can help your mental health as well. By maintaining psychological and physical wellness, you can show your loved ones that you are willing to do whatever it takes to live a healthy life.
Maintaining a regular sleep schedule will also help to change your life. Healthy sleep habits can improve mental and physical health and give you the energy needed to continue on your path to healing.
Lastly, changing your eating habits can be beneficial. If your family sees you being more intentional with the food you put in your body, they will believe that you are taking care of yourself overall.
Let Your Words Match Your Actions
While struggling with substance use, you may have broken the trust of those you love. The lies that were told may have ranged from lying to get money, lying about making a change, or lying about your location. In the recovery process, your friends and loved ones will be watching much closer to see the difference for themselves. Take this opportunity to apply honesty into your life and take action towards being a different person. Apply for those jobs you always said you were going to apply for. When you do get a job, show up on time, and work hard. Stick to your routine. Engage in healthy, sober activities and make new, sober friends. During this time, you need to show your loved ones that you are a person of integrity today.
Maintain Open Communication
When struggling with substance use, you may have disappeared and lost contact with your family for days or even weeks at a time. If you put the effort in establishing open communication with your friends and loved ones, it can help rebuild your foundation. This may singlehandedly be the most critical part of this process. It’s essential that you keep continuous contact with others, so they don’t feel like you are hiding something from them.
For some, continuous contact may be difficult, but, if executed, will help build trust. When your loved one begins to worry about you and your whereabouts, it’s essential that they can contact you to know how you are doing. Weekly or daily conversations with updates can be a part of your new healthy routine. Disappearing from your loved one for too long may bring up old feelings and cause them to worry or become angry with you.
You can also try sharing your thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams to let your loved ones inside of your head. Work on not shutting them out when things get hard. They love you, and they are there to help! If you participate in therapy and allow your family to join you, you will learn practical communication tools that the whole family can practice.
Patience is a Two-Way Street
Your loved ones may struggle if they believe you are not progressing “fast enough.” They may even get frustrated and angry with you, assuming that you aren’t doing enough work. While you cannot control their patience levels, you can control yours. Remember that there has to be patience on your end as well. You may have hurt your loved ones, and they may not be willing to forgive you right away. You must be patient with them and their process. On both ends, feelings were hurt, and it’s going to take time for the history between everyone to fall short of the present day. If you practice patience, it will allow everyone to come back together and forgive naturally.
Earning the trust back of your loved one may not be easy, but in the end, it's worth it. However, it will take patience and perseverance. You have already taken the right step towards gaining their trust by merely wanting it. The recovery process involves you and fighting your inner struggles to become the best version of yourself. It’s essential that you know you don’t have to do it alone. You have a family that wants to see you live a long, healthy life. Once you gain their trust back, the recovery process may go smoother. You may now have more people to include in your support system. Your friends and family may also give you the hope that you need to keep pushing. If you or a loved one struggles with recovery and regaining trust, there is help. Do not be afraid to seek professional help with or without your friends and family. Call START UP RECOVERY today at (310) 773-3809.