Going to rehab for an alcohol addiction is your loved one’s best choice for learning how to stop destructive habits and begin living their best life. As the friend or family member of someone who is dealing with an addiction, you might have mixed emotions. You may still have some residual anger or frustration in your heart because of some of the things that they did in the past. Yet, you also know that they need your support to finally get sober. In rehab, people often depend upon receiving letters and phone calls that remind them that people are waiting on the outside to help them start their new sober lifestyle. Receiving a card will likely be the highlight of your loved one’s day, but you may be having trouble figuring out how to even start writing them a good message. Figuring out what to write in a card for someone who is in a rehab for alcohol takes some careful thought and planning, but you can do it by exploring what other people have done.
Before you start writing anything, you’ll want to remember that it is important to try to keep it positive. This isn’t the time to hash out your differences or chastise your loved one for their addiction. Reading negative words could set back your loved one’s progress. If you have unresolved issues, then don’t worry. You’ll get a chance to work those things out later on. For now, focus on saying things that build them up and help to bolster their confidence. If you are having trouble starting, then consider using one of these sentence starters to jog your creativity.
The most important thing to remember is that you can say anything to your loved one. You’ll want to make sure to keep your message authentic, but otherwise, you could take up one whole side of the card telling a story about something silly your kids just did. If you feel comfortable enough, then mentioning a few of the qualities that you love about the person you are writing to can also be beneficial. Your loved one can save the card and re-read it whenever they need a confidence boost. Some people also include positive quotes that tap into what their loved one may be dealing with in treatment. Sometimes, finding a quote helps you put into words what you might not know how to say on your own.
If your loved one practices a religion, you could include a Scripture or prayer that you know will resonate with their spirituality. Or, you could simply include a poem that you feel matches your sentiments. Even just writing, “I care about you,” goes a long way towards lifting your loved one’s spirits. Once you start writing, you may find that the next sentences get easier. You may also find that you have more to say when your loved one writes back and you have something to respond to. If you just aren’t the type to write much, then you can also look for a card that already has a message printed inside. Then, you can simply sign your name and let your loved one know that you love them.
Writer’s block often happens when you feel pressured to jot down the perfect thing. If you are struggling with a fear of imperfection, then try to let it go. Put your pen down, take a walk and think about all of the wonderful things that you love about the person that you know in rehab. When you come back to the table to write, you’ll find that the words may just start flowing. Remembering that your friend or family member who is in rehab just wants to hear from you can take some of the pressure off. They know that you may struggle with finding the right things to say, but they’ll appreciate you making the effort.
Do you need some more ideas for what to write to someone that you love in rehab? We love helping to spread positivity. Give us a call today at 424-499-2603 to find out how to support someone through their alcohol addiction treatment.
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