Supporting someone through rehab

Senior mental health & addictions writer

Clinically reviewed by: Dee Johnson

Addiction Therapist at Priory Hospital Chelmsford

Supporting a loved one through rehab can feel overwhelming. It’s natural to experience a mix of hope, worry and uncertainty, especially if this is your first time navigating addiction treatment with someone you care about.

You’re not alone. Family members and friends can play a key role in addiction recovery, and with the right guidance, you can support your loved one without losing sight of your own wellbeing.

Here, we explore how to support your loved one through rehab, how to communicate and set healthy boundaries, tips for looking after yourself during this time, and where to find additional help.

Understanding rehab and the recovery journey

Below, we’ve outlined some of the key elements that can form part of addiction rehab. Not everyone will experience all of these stages – the exact approach depends on what’s most appropriate for your loved one’s needs and recovery goals.

Typical elements of rehab:

Initial assessment – your loved one will meet with professionals to talk about their needs and goals. Together, they’ll agree on a tailored plan that ensures they receive the right kind of support. At Priory, we offer a free addiction assessment to make this first step easier and faster
Detox – if your loved one is addicted to alcohol or drugs, they may need a medically assisted detox. This provides round-the-clock support to help them withdraw from the substance, and manage the process as comfortably and safely as possible
Structured therapy – this often forms the main part of rehab. It can include individual and group therapy, educational sessions and practical tools to help change behaviours and support healthier coping strategies
Family involvement – when it’s appropriate and agreed by both your loved one and their care team, family and friends can be invited to take part in the process. This might include family therapy, support sessions, or visiting during treatment. All are designed to strengthen relationships and support recovery
Relapse prevention planning – towards the end of treatment, your loved one will work closely with their therapy team to plan for the future and prepare for life after rehab. This focuses on giving them clear relapse prevention strategies to stay on track, cope with triggers and connect with continued support
Aftercare – many treatment programmes include follow-up sessions, support groups or online check-ins to help maintain progress and provide reassurance after treatment. The type and length of aftercare will depend on the rehab programme your loved one has completed

Rehab is as much an emotional process as it is a physical one. In the early stages, people often feel relief and hope alongside anxiety, guilt or shame, and it’s normal to experience ups and downs as therapy continues. Recovery takes time, and progress looks different for everyone. Recognising this can help you offer steady, patient support when it’s needed most.

In the UK, addiction treatment is available through both the NHS and private providers. NHS services are free but often have waiting lists. Private rehab provides faster access, tailored care and a range of options, though it involves a cost (which can be covered by health insurance). Knowing these differences can help you plan for the right level of support.

How you can support your loved one during rehab

Supporting someone through rehab is about offering steady encouragement and practical help so they can focus on their recovery. Here are some realistic ways you can do that:

Stay connected

Keep in touch with your loved one while they’re in treatment, if this is appropriate and welcomed.

Listen to them without judgement, use calm, supportive language and encourage honesty while respecting their privacy – they might not want to share everything with you and that’s OK.

If you’re invited to family sessions, make sure you go along and if your loved one wants you to visit them, make time to do this. Showing up in these small but consistent ways helps them feel supported and less alone as they work towards recovery.

Offer practical support

Rehab can be all-consuming. Whether your loved one is receiving treatment as an inpatient or not, easing some of their day-to-day responsibilities can be a real help.

Arranging or taking on childcare, helping with transport to appointments, and managing household tasks, all relieve pressure and allows them to concentrate fully on their recovery.

Create a supportive environment at home

If your loved one is living at home during their treatment, try to remove or reduce obvious triggers, such as alcohol, from the house. Encourage healthy routines – regular, nutritious meals, rest and gentle exercise – but without policing their behaviour. If they’re receiving inpatient rehab, make sure these supportive measures are in place ready for when they return home.

Be patient with ups and downs

Recovery is rarely linear. It’s normal for your loved one to experience mood swings, frustration or small setbacks. Try not to take these personally, and keep offering calm, consistent support.

Avoid enabling your loved one

True support means standing by your loved one without enabling them to continue with behaviours that cause harm. Enabling might include covering up for them, giving them money to fund their substance use or addictive behaviour, or taking on responsibilities for them.

Healthy support sets clear boundaries and reinforces accountability while still showing them you care.

Support within your limits

You’re not expected to be a therapist. Professional teams handle addiction treatment; your job is to provide understanding and stability. It’s OK to set boundaries and get support for yourself if you’re struggling.

Navigating difficult emotions and setting boundaries

Supporting someone through rehab can sometimes feel like an emotional rollercoaster. You might feel hopeful one moment and frustrated or fearful the next. Guilt, anger, sadness and exhaustion are all normal reactions when someone you care about is going through treatment. These feelings don’t make you unsupportive – they show that you care and this experience matters to you.

Look after yourself

It’s natural to focus all of your attention on your loved one, but looking after yourself is just as important. You’ll be a stronger, steadier source of support if you take time to rest and recharge. Make time for things that help you feel grounded – spending time with friends, enjoying hobbies, or taking quiet moments for yourself. Many people also find it helpful to speak to a therapist or join a family support group such as Al-Anon or Adfam.

Understand and set boundaries

Boundaries are the limits you put in place to protect your wellbeing and maintain a healthy relationship with your loved one. Remember:

Boundaries aren’t punishments – they’re clear, respectful limits on what you will and won’t accept
Communicating them calmly and keeping them consistent helps protect your mental health and shows your loved one that their choices have consequences
Learning to set and maintain these boundaries takes time but it’s one of the most valuable things you can do for both of you, and for anyone else involved.

A simple way to start is to create three lists:

Unacceptable behaviours – write down the behaviours or situations you find unacceptable. This is about recognising what crosses your personal line and harms your wellbeing
Boundaries you’ll set – for each behaviour, decide on the clear limit you’re going to set. This states what you will and won’t allow
Consequences if boundaries are crossed – plan what you’ll do if a boundary is broken. Knowing in advance what action you’ll take helps you stay consistent and protect yourself and anyone else affected

Examples may include:

Unacceptable behaviour	Boundary you’ll set	Consequences if boundary is crossed
Drinking or using substances in the home.	No alcohol, drugs or addictive behaviours allowed in the home.	I will ask them to leave/take myself and the children elsewhere.
Driving under the influence.	I won’t allow them to drive under the influence, and I won’t travel with them or let them take the children anywhere.	I will refuse to get in the car, prevent the children from travelling with them, call a taxi and, if necessary, alert the authorities.
Turning up drunk or late to important events.	I will not allow them to attend if they are intoxicated.	I will end the event or ask them to leave.

Part of this process is also about recognising that you’re no longer responsible for making excuses for your loved one’s behaviour – you have the right to prioritise your own wellbeing too. This might mean re-engaging with friends, social activities or hobbies that you may have withdrawn from during the height of your partner’s addiction. Reconnecting with these parts of your life can restore balance and confidence.

After rehab and long-term recovery

Completing rehab is a major milestone, but it’s also a time of adjustment. The structured routine and regular professional contact your loved one has relied on may suddenly reduce, and both of you might feel uncertain about what comes next.

Supporting your loved one at home

Whether your loved one is returning home after residential rehab or continuing recovery alongside everyday life, your ongoing support can make a real difference.

Encourage open, non-judgemental conversations about how they’re coping and what challenges they’re facing
Help them build a stable daily routine – regular meals, sleep, exercise and time for support meetings – to bring structure and predictability
Celebrate small milestones and positive steps, no matter how minor they might seem. Recovery often happens through small, consistent changes rather than big leaps

Encourage ongoing treatment and aftercare

Many people continue with therapy or peer support after leaving rehab, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Gamblers Anonymous (GA). Others attend ongoing aftercare programmes or one-to-one therapy. These options provide accountability, community and continued growth.

Encourage your loved one to stay connected to these sources of support, and if they begin to disengage, gently remind them how much these groups can help.

Maintain your boundaries

Your boundaries still matter after rehab. It can be tempting to relax them too soon, especially when things are going well, but keeping them in place helps maintain trust and consistency.

Spotting signs of relapse or struggle

Relapse doesn’t always happen suddenly – it often begins with subtle changes. Look out for signs of relapse such as mood swings, secrecy, withdrawal from family or support groups, or reconnecting with old triggers or environments.

If you’re concerned, approach your loved one with compassion rather than judgement and encourage them to speak with their therapist or support network as soon as possible.

Finding help and support

Supporting someone through rehab or recovery can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it on your own. Help is available, whether you need practical advice, emotional support or professional guidance.

Below are some organisations that support families affected by addiction.

Organisation	What they offer
Hub of Hope	The UK’s largest mental health directory, where you can find local, national or peer support that matches your needs.
Al-Anon	Support for anyone affected by someone else’s drinking.
Alateen	Meetings for young people affected by a parent or carer’s drinking.
Families Anonymous	Support for family and friends of people using drugs.
GamAnon	Support for family and friends of people with gambling problems.
National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA)	Helpline and information for children of alcoholics.
Adfam	National charity working with families affected by drugs and alcohol.

If you’d like to learn more about Priory’s addiction treatment services, aftercare or family support options, our friendly team can help you take the next step.

Every step you take to understand and support your loved one makes a difference. With time, patience and the right help, recovery – for both of you – is entirely possible.