Most insurance plans will cover either all or a portion of the treatment.
Content Reviewed By:
SUD treatment executive, national news contributor & keynote speaker.
Navigation:
- What to Say to Someone Coming Out of Rehab: Encouragement, Support, and Honesty
- Words of Encouragement and Affirmation
- Words of Emotional and Logistical Support
- Words of Caution and Restraint
- Words of Honesty and Accountability
What to Say to Someone Coming Out of Rehab: Encouragement, Support, and Honesty
For the millions of Americans who receive treatment for alcohol or drug use disorder every year, there are scores of family, friends, colleagues, spouses, partners, and neighbors who stand witness to their struggles and ultimate recovery. It can be challenging for people in these different groups to know what to say to a person who is coming out of rehab, and the reality is that the messaging will be different, depending on the nature of the relationship.
However, there are some universal things you can say to someone coming out of treatment to recognize their accomplishment of getting help and the realities of the challenges that lie ahead. Everyone’s post-treatment recovery journey is different, but everyone coming out of rehab needs to hear words of encouragement, support, honesty, and accountability at some point in the process.
Words of Encouragement and Affirmation
Depending upon the person’s temperament, disposition, and comfort with praise, words of encouragement and affirmation can range from simple, heartfelt congratulations to things like “Great work” or “Amazing job” or even telling them how inspirational they are and how proud you are of them.
Rehab is a physically and emotionally taxing process, the completion of which represents a significant triumph. It helps to recognize that to help keep them motivated toward progress. Above all, let them know they’re loved and supported.
Words of Emotional and Logistical Support
These words will look different depending on your relationship with the person. If you’re close, you can offer a more in-depth level of support and tell them you’ll be there for whatever they need. If your relationship is more casual or circumstantial (such as a neighbor, employee or colleague}, you can be a bit more measured in your offer of support.
One universal sentiment you can offer is: “I’ll help you anyway I can when you need it”. This signals that you’re willing to support them, but also that you can only do what is in your power and level of comfort to help them on their journey.
Words of Caution and Restraint
Perhaps the most famous example of these sentiments is the phrase “One day at a time.” The idea is to caution people against taking on too much or getting angry or discouraged with themselves in the early stages of recovery. It’s important to realize that this discouragement can quickly lead to relapsed If someone you know is getting discouraged about the progress they’re making in recovery or doesn’t feel as though they’re doing enough to make amends, remind them of the incredible strides that they’ve already made and that they don’t have to conquer everything in one day. Remind them also that trying to do too much too fast can be overwhelming and dangerous to the progress they’ve already made.
Words of Honesty and Accountability
Boundaries and expectations are important if you have a close relationship with someone getting out of rehab. Temper your words of love, support, and affirmation with honesty and accountability. Be direct about how their behavior before entering rehab made you feel and clearly communicate the boundaries and work to be done to repair your relationship. This will be harder for some people than others, but it will signal that you respect them enough to be straight with them and give them a path back to repairing your relationship.
When people come out of rehab, they need to know that they’re loved, supported, respected, and able to be given a second chance with the important people in their lives. Simple verbal sentiments can go a long way in helping them put one foot in front of the other.
