Addiction is understood to be a chronic disease and requires ongoing treatment, support, and lifestyle changes. As a friend or family member of a recovering addict, you know first-hand that addiction affects not only the people with the disease but those around them. Recovery is a journey not only for the addict but for their loved ones as well.

Depending on your relationship with the addicted individual, you may have a habit of taking on more than your share of responsibility for household chores, childcare, and financial management. Your natural desire to ease the transition of your loved ones from sober living rehab back into the home can cause you to focus so much energy on supporting their needs that you neglect your own.

It is more productive to find the support you need to engage in changing old habits and creating a new, stronger relationship which avoids any enabling behaviors of the past. Also, seeing your commitment to personal improvement and therapy will help your loved ones to keep up with their own treatment schedules.

The best home environment for recovery is free of any intoxicating substances. While you may have kept alcohol on hand for social events and special occasions in the past, your support in removing it now is essential. Replacing a drug addiction with alcohol abuse (or vice versa) is all too common.

In addition to drugs of abuse and alcohol, you may want to proactively clear the house of cold medicine, possible inhalants like strong glue, alcohol-based extracts, and prescription medications. Providing the ideal environment helps prevent relapse and offers the best chance of recovery.