Helping a friend who is recovering

[Shimmerchasm]

A close family friend of mine is recovering from heroin addiction and I would like some tips or suggestions on how I can be supportive and helpful to her. I've struggled with depression and there are addicts in my family but honestly I don't know a lot about the kind of addiction she is suffering. I love her and just want to be the best friend I can be for her. Should I recommend this forum to her or not? I'm not sure what might or might not be triggering.
Thanks!

 

[neversickanymore]

Hey shimmer

I would recomend this forum. If you decide to I would give them a overview of what goes down.. that way they can avoid areas they don't want to travel untill they are ready. The old take on avoiding triggers will soon go the way of the dodo bird as its utter crap. We need to expose ourselves to triggers and learn how to work through them. We obviously need to do this inb a safe way though.

What style of a recovery is she working?

 

[MeaCulpa]

A friend in recovery could well need some friendships or a space that isn't all about recovery.

If friend has a sponsor, a group, a therapist, etc it could be they have adequate or even excess points of accountability and more than enough places to be focused on recovery. Someone in newly in recovery is usually getting tons of suggestions from all over. They can have lots of people checking up on them to a point that might be more irritating than helpful.

Yes you can mention this site or other resources but I'd let friend define what sort of role you'll have in her recovery. It could be she would best benefit from just spending time with you and doing normal stuff. Friendship and quality time are helpful without having to be recovery oriented.

 

[PriestTheyCalledHim]

There's also this forum which can be helpful, and the sober living forum here on bluelight is excellent too.

soberrecovery.com/forums/

 

[Just A Guy]

Hey shimmer

...The old take on avoiding triggers will soon go the way of the dodo bird as its utter crap. We need to expose ourselves to triggers and learn how to work through them. We obviously need to do this in a safe way though.

Ha, that makes sense. Wonder why we've been so anti-trigger for so long?