Now that “Dry January” is over, many people are thinking about their relationship with drugs and alcohol. Some have a renewed interest in preventing teen substance abuse, while others may realize that they have become dependent on substances.
When people enter recovery, their loved ones may want to support them with gifts. If you need ideas for what to get a loved one in addiction recovery, consider the options below.
Facility-Approved Items
If your friend or family member attends an inpatient treatment facility, getting them a gift can be a great way to show your support. Addiction can be a lonely experience for people, but the knowledge that somebody is thinking of them can help.
However, not all facilities allow gifts. Before buying or making something for your loved one, check the program’s website to see if visitors and/or gifts are allowed. If so, contact the facility to ask what kind of gifts they allow.
If gifts are prohibited, you can still get them something as a graduation present when they leave treatment.
Help With Chores
Sometimes, the best thing you can do for someone in recovery is to help with chores and errands. Unless your friend or family member cleans when they’re stressed, they may have a huge pile of laundry and dishes to deal with.
Healing from addiction takes a lot of time and energy. As a result, things like cleaning the bathroom or vacuuming the floors can feel more draining than usual to a person in recovery.
This type of gift can also help somebody who is supporting a loved one with an addiction. For instance, a person concerned with preventing teen substance abuse or finding treatment for their child may not have much time for chores.
Ask your loved one if they’d like some help. Specific offers often work better than general offers. People don’t always know what to ask for when someone says, “Let me know if you need anything.” Instead, try offering to do their dishes or pick up essentials from the grocery store.
Stress-Relief Gifts
Addiction itself is stressful, and stress is a common trigger for relapse. If your loved one has entered treatment or joined a support group, they are likely learning healthy coping techniques. You can support these efforts with items that are designed to relieve stress, such as:
- alcohol-free aromatherapy items
- meditation timers
- fidgets or stress balls
- hobby-themed gifts (for example, art supplies for someone who likes to paint)
- tea
- a weighted blanket
- a massage gift card
- a sound machine
Take the person’s needs into consideration when choosing this type of gift. For example, someone who doesn’t like to be touched probably won’t use a massage gift card, and someone with a sensitivity to smell might not enjoy aromatherapy.
Practical Items
Practical items can also ease stress for someone who is focused on their healing. For example, you might replace something in their home that has stopped working, or you can pay to have it fixed. Other options include:
- a meal delivery service subscription
- new clothing or shoes
- chargers for electronics
Interest-Based Gifts
Substance abuse often causes people to lose interest in things that they used to enjoy. In fact, this loss of interest is one of the core signs that somebody may be using drugs. Now that your loved one is in recovery, rediscovering these interests may help them in their healing journey.
Consider a gift based on things that your loved one enjoyed before they developed a substance use disorder. These can be TV shows, movies, activities, hobbies, and more.
As long as you remain thoughtful, consider your loved one’s needs, and avoid gifts that enable substance use, the most important thing is that your loved one knows you’re thinking of them. People often lose friends when dealing with a mental illness such as addiction. Your gift can remind this person that you still care and are there for them.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
