Don’t take for granted that your friend already knows that you are there for her. Tell her that you are proud of her accomplishment; after all, it takes a lot of hard work to become sober again. Let her know how much you enjoy being around your newly sober friend.  Be sure to be a good listener. Your friend may find it difficult to live a sober lifestyle, especially during the first year of recovery. Just being a listening ear can be a big support for your friend. Withhold judgment when talking to your friend. The last thing your friend needs is a sermon about how bad her past mistakes were and how it messed up her life. Do an internet search with your friend to look up local support groups. Most people in recovery benefit from being a part of a support group after they finish treatment. A support group can help prevent relapse. Spending time around other people who are in recovery, in a healthy and supportive environment, can help your friend reintegrate back into her normal routine. Some great support groups include:  Alcohol Anonymous Crystal Meth Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous Cocaine Anonymous Marijuana Anonymous You can also get referrals from a physician, friend, or social service organization. Your friend will need to create new behaviors and activities that will replace the old habits. You can show your friend your support of her new healthier lifestyle by joining in the activities with her. Some new activities could include:  Volunteering A new exercise regimen Taking classes Starting a new hobby Make sure that the places that you go with your friend are substance free. It’s very important that you model substance free living to your friend. Do not drink in her presence and try to avoid restaurants and other places that have open bars. If your friend is coming over to your house, discard any liquor or lock them in a place where it is not obvious to your friend. Being around substances, especially in the first year of recovery, can cause your friend to relapse.  You should always avoid environments where substances are readily available. Even celebrations should be substance free. If you are in a restaurant with a bar, ask to be seated far away from the bar. You should never visit your friend when you are under the influence of alcohol any drugs yourself. People in recovery are more susceptible to stress than others. Stress can come from any area of her life including relationship, family, financial, work or health. Share with your friend some things that she can do to help her better cope with life stressors. Here are some examples of strategies that may help:  Journaling Deep breathing Exercising Meditating Don’t wait until a full fledge relapse occurs before assisting your friend. Know the signs of potential relapse and intervene quickly. Here are some warning signs that relapse may have occurred or may soon happen:  Your friend is beginning to skip support meetings. She is spending time with old friends who are still using drugs. She is using other types of drugs. For instance, if your friend was in treatment for cocaine use and is now using alcohol, this is a red flag. You’re friend begins to say things like, “It’s okay to do it just this one time.” You’re friend suddenly starts exhibiting withdrawal symptoms.
اخبر صديقك أنك تدعمه أو تدعمها. ساعد صديقك في الالتحاق بمجموعة للدعم. شارك صديقك في عاداته الصحية الجديدة. حافظ على البيئة المحيطة خالية من المواد المخدرة. ساعد صديقك في خلق طرق مناسبة للتأقلم. انتبه إلى علامات الخطر.