Can I Write Letters To A Loved One In Drug Rehab?

Most people communicate with friends, family, and other loved ones through text, phone calls, and in-person contact. If you have a loved one who’s entered a drug or alcohol rehab program, however, you may find your communication options to be more limited.

Many drug rehab centers restrict the use of smartphones, laptops, and the internet for patients receiving intensive addiction treatment. This is part of the healing process, as a way to allow residents to reconnect with themselves and reduce external distractions.

Writing letters to a loved one in rehab, however, is often accepted and encouraged. At Spring Hill Recovery Center, we value the support that can come from family members, spouses, and other loved ones as individuals begin their journey towards recovery.

While a treatment center’s policies on communications can vary from one rehab facility to the next, most treatment facilities can answer any questions you might have about accepted forms of contact for patients in an inpatient or residential program.

Challenges Of Communicating With A Loved One In Rehab

Talking to someone who’s actively struggling with addiction can be tough. Drugs and alcohol can radically change how a person behaves when they’re under the influence, but especially once their substance use has developed into a full-blown addiction.

People who are struggling with substance abuse may become withdrawn or lash out at people they love. The financial, physical, and emotional burden of living with an addiction can carry a lot of weight, and this can affect not only those who are struggling, but also those around them.

Drug rehabilitation offers a valuable opportunity to rebuild relationships with people who you’ve hurt, and those who have hurt you. As someone begins to heal in early recovery, they may feel better equipped to have open and honest communications with their loved ones.

What To Say To A Loved One In Rehab

Once you’ve decided you want to write a letter to a loved one in rehab, the next step is to figure out what you want to say. For friends, spouses, and family members of those in rehab, this may be tricky.

You might begin by asking yourself the following:

• What do I want to say?
• How am I feeling right now?
• Am I ready to open this line of communication?

When writing a letter to someone you care about in rehab, it’s important to be honest with yourself about how you’re feeling and what your intentions are. The language you use, and the tone of your message, can be important factors to consider.

Basics Of Writing A Letter To A Loved One In Rehab

It can be intimidating to enter a rehab environment, especially if it’s your first time seeking treatment. Hearing from a friend, spouse, or family member—even if it’s just to share updates in their own lives in their community—can offer significant comfort.

What’s important to keep in mind is to communicate in a way that is supportive and understanding. Share your hopes for your loved one, offer encouragement. Tell them what their decision to accept help means to you, and what you look forward to in their recovery.

If you’re having trouble knowing what to say to your loved one, consider seeking external advice. You could talk to someone else they care about, seek the advice of a substance abuse professional, or ask others who have also had a loved one go through the rehab process.

How To Communicate With A Loved One In Rehab

It’s normal to feel a flood of emotions once your loved one has checked into rehab. You may feel relieved, concerned, sad, or even angry. Your loved one could probably say the same.

It’s okay if you need to give yourself some time and space before writing. Allow yourself to consider what you want to say, and how you want to say it. What many people want from their loved ones during the treatment process is to feel understood, heard, and supported.

At the same time, you don’t want to communicate in a way that is dishonest or neglects your feelings about their addiction and how that has affected your relationship.

Complex issues—such as abuse, neglect, or financial strain—may be more suitable for discussion during a family therapy session, where a professional can help mediate the conversation.

At Spring Hill, we believe family involvement can be supportive in the recovery process. We offer various opportunities for loved ones to become involved in the treatment process through: weekly family therapy sessions, family education, and other forms of contact.

If you have questions about how to contact a loved one at Spring Hill, or how to seek treatment for someone you know who is struggling with addiction, call us today to learn more.