The Impact of BALMing on a Loved One

Can BALM  conversations have an impact? BALM families who attended last year’s retreat share their experiences on this session’s video. Here are some things about BALM conversations and the BALM in general that can be good to know: It Is Your Role to Contribute to Recovery The road to BALMing starts with the understanding that you, as a family member, are always contributing to your loved one’s Substance Use Disorder (SUD) or their recovery, and BALM is designed to teach you how to contribute solely to your loved one’s recovery! BALM Stands for Be A Loving Mirror The BALM Method of Family Recovery is all about family members learning new ways to relate to themselves and their loved ones that allow them to become their loved one’s BEST chance at recovery. BALM conversations go from heart to heart Though an immediate positive result is not guaranteed, over time these daily mini-interventions can have a huge impact on your loved one’s direction and desire to get and stay in recovery. Of course there is no guarantee that your loved one will recover. But, don’t give up! BALM conversations build on each other. You may have several, over time, before finding any positive difference in the person you are having it with or you may see a change right away. Sign up for the Retreat HERE Sometimes the person you have a BALM conversation with will not react well They will get angry or upset with you. That doesn’t mean the conversation has not been successful. In fact, it can mean that your love-infused message hit a deep chord within them that they were not ready to admit to facing, even within themselves. It’s All About Tone Tone and the inner peace of the BALMer play a crucial role in turning a regular  conversation into a BALM conversation. Being a BALMer means being willing to: Take the long view – knowing it may take time for your conversation to get through to your loved one. Employ a variety of tactics – Work with your BALM coach and/or your 7 Steps to BALM buddies to hone your BALM conversations, Motivational Interviewing, and your understanding of Stages of Change, to name a few. When put together, these three can catapult your communication with your loved one to a powerful new level. Attend the 7 Steps class as many times as it takes for you to learn how to Be A Loving Mirror.  The eight-week class is held throughout the year and is included in your BALM membership. Participate on a BALM retreat so you can immerse yourself in loving conversations and the BALM approach.  Being with others intensively over brief time periods can accelerate your ability to Be the Peace in all of your relationships. Partner with your loved one’s professionals – clinician, recovery life coach, therapist, interventionist, etc. Consider yourself an advocate for your loved one’s recovery and a member of the recovery team. Recovery is definitely a team sport. Sign up for the Retreat HERE Come on a retreat and utilize the support of the community. Bring your own BALM Family Recovery Life Coach onto the team. When professionals work together with the family, amazing things can happen. Learn how to prepare and carry out a BALM conversation by joining us on the upcoming BALM retreat February 17-20  Sign up for the Retreat HERE In the meantime: * You can read the blogs HERE * You can register for the Retreat HERE Be A Loving Mirror!