Celebrating Father’s Day after Addiction Treatment

Maybe you weren’t expecting your father to be here for another Father’s Day. Maybe you have never had the opportunity to spend a Father’s Day together in the past. Drug addiction is a debilitating condition which takes the lives of many, and ruins relationships in the process. For that reason, Father’s Day is an important day to celebrate those fathers who have overcome their addiction. Recovery is a difficult process, for which he should be rewarded. Celebrating important milestones reminds the recovered addict of their achievements and the importance of living a drug-free life. Perhaps, being a father was a fundamental motivation in seeking addiction treatment. In that case, celebrating Father’s Day is a huge accomplishment for a recovered addict, which must be recognized.

Rebuilding Relationships after Drug Rehab

An important part of recovery from addiction is rebuilding important relationships. As a father, some of the most important relationships to rebuild after drug rehab are those with his children. These relationships likely bring purpose and meaning to his life, and a great sense of joy. Although rebuilding these relationships is not easy and will take time, Father’s Day is a good place to begin.

Of course, it is not only the addicts themselves who must recover. Addiction wreaks havoc on family relationships, therefore all the people who have been hurt must recover. Having realistic expectations and taking small steps will begin the process of restoring the relationship. You may begin with a simple visit and a card on Father’s Day. There is no need to rush things. Forgiveness and trust aren’t built overnight.

Supporting Sobriety After Drug Rehab

If you are fortunate enough to already have a renewed relationship with your father after his addiction treatment, it is important to celebrate Father’s Day in a way that supports his sobriety. The traditional image of Father’s Day is a backyard barbeque with beer and steak. However, for a recovered addict this can be a difficult situation to be placed in, especially in these times with Covid-19.

Fortunately, there are many alternate ways to celebrate while supporting your father’s sobriety. Here are several suggestions:

• Dry Barbeque
• Go for a Bike Ride
• Order or Cook a delicious brunch
• Play an indoor game together