The following opinions expressed by Scott M. Erickson are his own and do not officially represent the views of The American Counseling Association or the Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board. The expression of these opinions does not constitute a real or implied counselor-client relationship.

Picking up from where we left off last week, let’s discuss a few Dos in relation to this question.

Do inquire as to their reasons to start/strengthen recovery. Depending on the stage of change your loved one is in, they may have already considered some powerful reasons and motivation to tiptoe toward or even jump head first into recovery. As much as we may want to list and review with them all the reasons we believe they should address their addiction, it will be much more effective to truly understand and reinforce their own reasons for recovery.

Do support their ideas about how to address their addiction. I believe that when we begin a journey of change, we intrinsically know at least a few things that are likely to be effective. If approached by you in a spirit of supportive curiosity, their confidence in recovery will grows as they share their ideas. As long as your loved one’s ideas are not clearly outside the realm of possibility or reality, i.e., “I need the world to align with my every heart’s desire,” do what is possible to support their intuition about what they believe is likely to be helpful.

Do ask what you can do to help. Even if they say, “Nothing,” they are going to need your support. Make sure and let them know that you are proud of their healthy decisions and that you are going to be available for them and interested in their progress. Be prepared also to make healthy changes in your own life and relationship with them. As they continue the process of healing and change, you will need to change and heal alongside them.

If your loved one is not yet ready or interested to explore recovery, there is a different set of strategies I would suggest that may be included in a future article.

Scott M. Erickson is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Kemmerer who has provided counseling services in southwest Wyoming for the last eleven years. Erickson’s mission is to “be a dynamic catalyst helping you to empower your best self.” He can be reached at his website www.scottthecounselor.com or his Facebook page: Erickson Counseling & Coaching LLC.