And if they ask outright for something directly related to their substance use disorder, such as money, drugs, or drug paraphernalia, it could lead to conflict at a time when you want to strengthen, not weaken, your relationship. Here are five great ideas for gifts for the person in your life with a substance use disorder that won’t enable their substance use or hurt their recovery. A different kind of experience might just open them up to seeing that life has a lot to offer. It could be something outlandish, such as a flight in a hot air balloon or something as simple as a meal in a restaurant that provides an experimental sensory experience, such as a raw food cafe or one that features live music. Stay away from places that serve alcohol. Little gadgets can include:
Small, handheld fidget spinnerStress ballMusical instrumentSmall puzzle, such as a Rubik’s cube
This is a great option if you don’t have or want to spend a lot of cash, but still want to give an enjoyable gift. But there are books and movies that do a great job of illustrating the recovery process, showing people can come out on the other side. A few examples include:
Boy George’s autobiography, which talks about how he took ecstasy and LSD and later heroin but became abstinent as he matured"It’s All Gone Pete Tong," which is funny and deep and gets across the sinister side of cocaine use disorder without being preachy and without cocaine being the focal point of the movieEminem’s “Recovery” album
A few great self-help books include:
“The Natural Mind” by Dr. Andrew Weil"Free Rides: How to Get High Without Drugs" by Douglas Rushkoff and Patrick Wells"Controlling Your Drinking" by William Miller and Ricardo Munoz
Be sure that the book actually fits your loved one’s goals or they might feel judged and as though you are pushing your own agenda rather than giving a genuine gift.
