How To Contact A Loved One While They Are In Rehab

Laura Smart - Author for Rehab Clinics Group

Laura Smart - Last Updated: September 21, 2022

Last reviewed: September 21, 2022 by Dr Alexander Lapa. All information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional.

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There are a number of ways to keep in touch with your loved ones during inpatient rehab with many centres allowing the use of electronic devices outside of therapy sessions, continue reading to find out more.

How To Contact A Loved One While They Are In Rehab

Drug addiction and alcohol addiction do not only affect the addict but the people close to them also. If you have a loved one who has entered rehab to undergo residential addiction treatment, you may be unsure of how or even if you should stay in touch.

It is a difficult time for everyone involved with many lingering bad feelings stopping progress. Having honest communication with a loved one in treatment will be a great help to not only them but you as well.

On the other hand, you may not wish to stay in touch at the moment, deciding that some distance is the best thing for you all. This is also a legitimate approach to take.

Whatever path you decide, it is best to know what rules rehab centres employ around outside communication, the best things to say to addicts and the effects staying in contact has on the recovery journey.

 

Am I Allowed to Contact a Loved One in Rehab?

Yes, you can. However, on their initial entry to a facility, there is usually a blackout period. This is done so that the person in rehab can get used to their new environment and focus on treatment and the day-to-day life of the centre.

This blackout coincides with detoxification, which is the first step of any effective treatment programme. Communication during this time is not encouraged as drug detox and alcohol detox can be very difficult. Withdrawal symptoms can be very uncomfortable and a person is very susceptible to wanting to relapse during this period.

We discourage communication during this time to give our clients the best chance at achieving their long-term goals.

 

Can I Phone a Loved One Who is Receiving Drug and Alcohol Treatment?

Again, the answer is yes you can phone a loved one who is in a Rehab Clinics Group private drug and alcohol rehab.

For many rehab centres, this is the preferred form of communication – giving our clients access to vital emotional support without having their treatment disrupted. There may be set times when phone calls are allowed.

At Rehab Clinics Group we also encourage other forms of communication. Letter writing is a productive way to reach out to loved ones, providing the person in rehab with a positive activity that is more time-consuming than a simple phone call.

Depending on the facility, some rehab centres may allow in-person visits. Family days are events that happen at rehab – for more information you will have to ask the specific treatment facility your loved one is in.

 

The Positive and Negative Impacts of Outside Communication During Rehab

Communicating with someone in alcohol or drug rehab is a delicate matter that has both benefits and drawbacks.

Positive Impacts:

One positive is that the treatment centre and staff can get vital feedback from you about how the client is feeling regarding their recovery. You can provide insight into the person, helping our staff tweak treatment so that is as effective as it can be.

People that engage in positive outside communication are also more likely to continue with treatment. Through phone calls and other communication, they can see that they are not alone on their journey. This can be very helpful if they are struggling, giving them the push they need to keep going.

Another positive is that through honest communication the person addicted can more clearly see the impact their drug addiction has had on others. This will help them see that treatment is the only path forward.

Negative Impacts:

If you have an enabling relationship with the addict in treatment then your communication may hinder their progress. You may downplay their addiction or excuse it and this could convince them that they do not need treatment.

Consistent phone calls and contact may bring up feelings of homesickness and the person may lack focus on their treatment.

Another impact is that your loved one may not be far along enough yet to reckon with the full extent of the damage their addiction has caused. Being confronted with this may cause them to regress and quit treatment.

 

Support You Can Give a Loved One in Rehab

Even though you are not going through treatment, there are things you can do to support a loved one during this stressful time.

  • Educate Yourself

The more you know about addiction and its effects, the better you are in place to help a loved one. Knowing about the treatments, aftercare and spotting signs of relapse to dispel some fears and make you feel more prepared for the journey ahead.

  • Be Compassionate and Patient

It’s a long journey and there may be many more bumps down the road. Fostering an environment of caring and compassion will keep everyone in a more positive mindset. Your loved one knows the damage they have done and are trying to change – you should focus on that.

  • Be Involved in the Recovery Process

Talk to and get to know the staff. Take part in family sessions. Engaging with their recovery journey will show your loved one you are in for the long haul and encourage them to keep it up.

 

Things Not to Say to Someone in Rehab

Despite good intentions, communication can be difficult. To avoid any major issues there are topics not to broach when talking to someone who is in rehab.

  • Expect Quick Progress

Everyone’s journey is unique and addiction is not something that is easily wiped away. Impatience doesn’t help anyone.

  • Don’t Blame Them

Even though your loved one is a grown person who made decisions, those who haven’t experienced addiction can’t comprehend the hold it can have on someone. It is a disease and should be treated as such.

  • Excuse the Situation

Just as bad as blaming your loved one, excusing them and minimising the situation could set everything back. Addiction is serious and should be treated as such. Whilst not blowing everything out of proportion, you should give approach the situation in the manner it deserves.

 

Get in Touch Today

If you or a loved one is ready to begin the recovery journey then get in touch today. Call us at 0800 470 0382 or text HELP to 83222 to get through to a member of our experienced admissions team. They can guide you advice and guidance on every aspect of rehabilitation, providing information on our therapies and treatments, facilities and much more.

Take the first step to a better life today.

Laura Smart - Author - Last updated: September 21, 2022

Laura is a qualified counsellor and behavioural therapist specialising in CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), REBT (Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy), ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy), ICT (Inner Child Therapy), MI (Motivational Interviewing), Hypnosis and Mindfulness practice. She has experience working with individuals suffering from conditions such as problem behaviours, internet and social media addictions, depression, anxiety, anger management and trauma.

Dr Alexander Lapa - Psychiatrist & Clinical Reviewer for Rehab Clinics Group

Dr Alexander Lapa - Clinical Reviewer - Last reviewed: September 21, 2022

MBBS, PG Dip Clin Ed, OA Dip CBT, OA Dip Psychology, SCOPE Certified

Dr Lapa graduated in Medicine in 2000 and since this time has accrued much experience working in the widest range of psychiatric settings with differing illness presentations and backgrounds in inpatient, community and secure settings. This has been aligned to continuation of professional development at postgraduate level in clinical research which has been very closely related to the everyday clinical practice conducted by this practitioner as a NHS and Private Psychiatrist.
He is fully indemnified by the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS) and MIAB Expert Insurance for Psychiatric and Private Medical practice. He is fully registered with the General Medical Council (GMC) in the UK with a licence to practice.

Dr Lapa is approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act (1983)

Member of Independent Doctors Federation (IDF), British Association for Psychopharmacology (BMA) and The Association for the Study of Obesity (ASO)

Dr Lapa’s extensive experience has also concentrated on the following areas of clinical practice:
– Assessment, Diagnosis and Pharmacological Treatment for Adults with ADHD.
– Drug and Alcohol Dependency and maintaining abstinence and continued recovery
– Intravenous and Intramuscular Vitamin and Mineral Infusion Therapy
– Dietary and Weight Management and thorough care from assessment to treatment to end goals and maintenance
– Aesthetic Practice and Procedures