The goal of any successful rehab program is to reach a successful end, to be able to deliver you back into your home life as a man or woman free of substance use habits. We understand that substance use rehab can be a difficult process. As you learn new habits, as you achieve a healthier perspective and set concrete goals to achieve, you’ll find yourself slowly distancing yourself from self-destructive behaviors.
For all of its challenges, rehab can help you improve all aspects of your life. And if you have a husband or wife, rehab can have you well on your way toward becoming the spouse you want to be. There are so many ways that rehab can benefit your life as a spouse. In particular, here are four ways that rehab can make you a better spouse:
1. Restored familial relationships
Substance use habits can quickly take up space in your life. They can consume habits, finances and interests. Rehab helps you regain control of those critical aspects of your life, allowing you to restore familial relationships along the way.
Often, relationships with spouses, children, even parents can be adversely affected by substance use habits. Rehab helps you develop effective coping strategies for substance use practices, paving the way for you to repair relationships with the people who matter the most. Friendships and family bonds that have been damaged – or ever severed – as a result of substance use habits can now be addressed.
2. Replace destructive habits with productive ones
Rehab helps you to identify the source of substance use behaviors, and to replace self-destructive tendencies with productive habits instead. After you leave rehab, armed with the skills necessary to make those changes permanent in your life, it’s up to you to effectively replace substance use practices with alternative activities.
It’s not enough to simply remove negative habits from your life; change becomes permanent when new, healthy habits take their place. Look to effectively replace drug or alcohol use with other activities in your life. Take the time to identify periods during the day when you were more apt to use substances, and focus on filling those hours with busy, productive action. Whether that means spending more time with friends or taking up a new hobby or passion, the goal here is to replace substance use actions with habits that leave you happier and healthier.
3. Become a more giving husband/wife
Not only will you find yourself with more time on your hands, after you learn to manage substance use habits, you’ll also find that you’ve become a more giving person. Even though it’s sometimes difficult, spouses truly do love the members of their family. Unfortunately, substance use habits can sometimes cloud emotions, and can force struggling individuals to reprioritize what truly means the most in life. With substance use habits now effectively managed, priorities are straightened and spouses have more time during the day, and more mental clarity necessary to devote themselves to giving freely to the family.
4. Provide a loving, supportive environment for children
Children deserve to grow up in a loving, supportive family environment, one free from substance use habits or other negative behaviors. And after returning from rehab with all the tools necessary to help you manage substance use practices, this is exactly the type of environment you can help to provide. You’ll be able to encourage family members to embrace the loving, supportive environment you’ve helped to foster at home, a non-judgemental atmosphere now devoid of substance use habits that could compromise value.
Freeing yourself from substance use habits today
As a spouse, you’re looking to get the simple things right. You want to create and sustain a loving environment for all family members, one where parents can protect and children are free to dream. If you’ve ever found yourself challenged by substance use tendencies, you know how easily they can compromise the integrity of the family, and of your relationship with a spouse. If you’re looking to free yourself from the influence of substance use habits today, know that Rehab After Work is ready to help. Call (610) 644-6464 today, or learn even more about outpatient drug and alcohol rehab services that accommodate your schedule, when you reach out today to take your first steps toward recovery.
