Legacy Healing Center Blog

If you have a friend or family member who is beginning the journey of addiction recovery, you might be wondering what to say to someone going to rehab.

It isn’t uncommon to question what are the best things to say to someone when they are getting help for addiction, as we don’t want to offend, hurt, or trigger our loved one during this time.

Because this is a delicate season in someone’s life, it is important to be kind, caring, and supportive during your conversations.

Let’s take a closer look at some great conversation starters so you know what to say to someone struggling with addiction and going through rehab:

1. “I am really proud of you.” – This is an incredibly supportive statement for someone in rehab to hear. Often times, someone dealing with addiction may have heard comments about their past failures, or how their behavior was disappointing. This statement offers encouragement and acknowledges that you know the decision to enter into rehab isn’t always an easy one. It shows that their decision to get help and get sober was a smart choice and that someone is recognizing the good choices they are making. When wondering what to say to someone struggling with addiction, you can’t go wrong with telling someone how proud you are of them.

2. “You are not alone – I am here for you.” – It takes a lot of courage for someone to acknowledge they have an addiction and want to seek help for it. Depending on the type of rehab your loved one enters, most aspects of their everyday life are going to change – and that can be scary just in itself. Most of us get uncomfortable when walking into an unknown situation, and the same is true for someone entering into a rehab program. Even though your contact may be limited, especially for the first few weeks of the program, it can help your loved one a lot if he or she knows you are there for them.

So, if you are curious what to say to someone in rehab, be sure to let them know they are not alone. It isn’t uncommon for some people in rehab to feel estranged from their friends or family (possibly because of events or behaviors related to the addiction), and knowing someone is there for them can be a powerful boost during this time.

3. “Use this time to focus on your recovery.” – This is a great reminder for anyone who is in addiction recovery. Though addiction can be associated with very selfish behaviors, some people will have a hard time focusing on themselves during this time. For instance, if a parent has decided to go into inpatient rehab, he or she might fixate on the fact that they are away from their children. Or, someone might be worried that they are unable to work during this time. These types of thoughts can be distracting and can steer someone’s focus off of their recovery.

If you are wondering what to say to someone going to rehab, remind them to use this precious time wisely and focus on recovery. This is a great time for your friend or loved one to grow, become more self-aware, and mature into a better version of themselves – all things that will help them as they continue on their recovery journey.

4. “What can I do to support you during this time?” – You might be wondering what you can do to help someone who is in rehab, and the best way to find out is to just ask. Sometimes, a friend or loved one may have very specific requests such as can you hold onto their mail, take care of a pet, water their plants, or let them keep their car at your house. Other times, they may not have a direct answer, and that is okay. Just let them know you are able and willing to help – they just have to say the word! Knowing they have someone who cares and loves them may be all the support they need right now.

Knowing what to say to someone in rehab is crucial, as our words hold power and you do not want to cause someone to stumble or feel defeated. Just remember that your friend or loved one is going through a lot of changes and your support, encouragement, and patience can be very motivating for them to succeed.

To learn more about rehab program options, available treatments, and other ways to communicate with your loved one during rehab, check out the Legacy blog at Legacy Healing Center or call us today at 888-597-3547.

At Legacy Healing Center, our approach to recovery is built around a holistic methodology. We look at addiction as a comprehensive issue and offer a complete set of services to heal the physical body, the mind, and the spirit. Combining research-evidenced practices from medicine and psychology, our team of highly trained professionals looks at all aspects of our clients’ lives on an individual basis. Our holistic approach to healing encompasses more than dealing with addiction through primary treatment strategies like therapy and meetings. We offer a full range of services to heal the whole person, body, mind, and spirit.