Support from the people closest to you is crucial for long-lasting, successful recovery. This is why having an unsupportive family can have such a significant impact on your recovery journey. You may feel disappointed in their unwillingness to support you because their approval helps validate your choices. However, it is vital to understand that you don’t need their approval to be successfully sober. Learning how to cope with unsupportive family members healthily will help you keep your recovery on track and teach you to live your own life.
Always Be Prepared
It is normal to hope for your family’s support as you navigate your recovery journey, but having unrealistic expectations can hurt you in the long run. Your family may disagree with your choices, such as getting a job quickly or going back to school, simply because they believe you are not ready. When you receive negative feedback, it is crucial to prepare for it. This will ensure you are not knocked down and overthinking your decisions. Stay true to what you know, and always be ready for negative responses.
Don’t Argue
It may be tempting to argue with your family when you face opposition from them, but it is imperative to understand that this won’t solve anything. Rather than getting into a heated argument, you should instead acknowledge what they say and move on. Likely, they won’t change their mind at the moment, and arguing will only make things worse. Be civil to protect your mental health and recovery.
Surround Yourself With Positive People
Even though you love your family, it can be exhausting to be around their unwillingness to support you. For this reason, you should take the time to be with those that do support your recovery and make you feel good. Make healthy choices and protect your time at all costs. This will keep your recovery on track and your mental health strong.
Dealing with an unsupportive family in recovery can be overwhelming and potentially threatening to your sobriety. Learning how to manage these individuals’ impact on your general health and well-being will keep you on track in recovery. You can learn these tools through treatment or counseling at facilities such as Alta Loma Transformational Services. We work with men struggling with addiction and mental health disorders to help give them the best chance at a successful recovery. You can learn how to cope with an unsupportive family and more by calling (866) 457-3843 today.
