When people begin their journey in recovery, there are a lot of emotions and healing to unpack and deal with. Learning how to trust and earn trust again is by far one of the hardest things for those in early recovery to work on. Family and friends may struggle with learning to trust their loved ones again. The one in recovery is trying to resist any temptations of using or drinking again by making all these changes. Meanwhile, they are also trying to tend to obligations they may have set aside during their active addiction.
It could be said that the greatest gift those involved in these situations can give each other is patience and understanding. There is so much to mend, and time is the most significant gift. Being open in communication and being willing to be honest with feelings will eventually lead to a trusting relationship once again. There is hope, and there is a solution. The day will arrive when trust is natural again, and life will come day by day.
How to Trust in Early Recovery
When in the midst of addiction, either the wrong people were trusted, or no one was trusted. Learning how to trust again in early recovery takes time. It won’t be easy, and it will take some work. However, taking small steps, a little at a time, will allow for the ability to trust return.
First, deciding who is worth one’s trust must be determined. Are the people close ones that should be trusted? Are these people who have access to the feelings and the future honorable, kind, and important to this person? In a few years, will this person be around? Are they proving themselves a loyal friend or family member? One without judgment and one who also wants the best for the person recovering?
Reflecting on these questions will allow a person in recovery to make some tough, but informed choices. Perhaps a smaller social circle, one filled with love and honesty, is better than a larger group of negativity. Learning who to include and who to distance ones self from will create the most promising outcome for the person in recovery as well as those who love them.
How to Trust: With Room to Grow
Most often, many that have lived in the throes of the disease of addiction lose the trust of those around them. For their loved ones, it may seem impossible to learn to trust them again, even if they are working hard in their program of recovery. The memories of disappointment are fresh and need to be handled with care. Those involved need to understand how quickly and easily those feelings of hurt can turn into resentment. Giving loved ones some space to grow, some chances to prove themselves, and some grace to allow for the adjustment to take place is key.
Allowing some opportunities to present themselves and being observant can help nurture this process. Is this person keeping their word more recently? Are they communicating honestly? When they say they are going to be somewhere at a certain time, are they following through? It is in these little ways that become more and more consistent that trust will naturally develop once again.
Whether in the position of a person in recovery or a loved one of someone in recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Al-Anon are all resources available. Suppose one finds themselves needing to speak with someone about starting recovery, needing assistance with a loved one, or simply want a place to discuss their situation and feel understood. In that case, these programs support making these connections.
Destiny Recovery Center’s Family Involvement
Whether beginning your recovery journey with detox or residential treatment, Destiny Recovery Center’s (DRC) compassionate team will assist you and your loved ones with the transition to a better life. By providing experiences and activities that will promote trust-building and communication between the person in recovery and their family, growth is sure to take place.
When appropriate and when supported by the medical team, families will be as involved as possible in the client’s treatment. Incorporating family in updates on progress and suggestions on how they may work together in a positive and supportive way will improve the experience and quality of relationships for everyone involved.
Knowing what is to be expected of someone and someone’s ability to know what to expect promotes a sense of security and trust. While nothing truly ever goes as planned in life, having some things guaranteed helps support that consistency and structure. While staying with DRC, one can feel supported, be welcomed, and learn to trust others again. The team is professional and approachable and will support those in their program with care and patience.
Building trust and mending relationships is part of the healing process in early recovery. Those impacted should be aware that it is okay to ease expectations to an attainable reach. Knowing strategies that would give those involved some tools to navigate this process a little more gently will support growth for both the ones in recovery and their loved ones. Giving oneself grace, and allowing grace for others, will reduce pressure for everyone involved. Trust is a process, and patience is key. If you are ready to discuss starting your own recovery journey, call Destiny Recovery Center today at (909) 413-4304 to see how they can help you start healing.