Addiction poses an array of issues for a family. Loved ones will search for ways to help their addicted family members through means that enable or increase the individual’s tendencies to pursue their addiction, rather than address the behavior head-on. Because loved ones look to each other for support, assistance and guidance, education, support and involvement of the surrounding family members throughout recovery is vital to the successful treatment of the addict. In this entry, we will discuss some of the roles of family throughout the healing process.
Studies show a direct correlation between family and social support and diminished relapse risks in recovering addicts. As such, it is crucial that family support be a top priority throughout the treatment process to ensure a heightened chance of long-term success.
A family’s involvement throughout a recovery program, works to promote an addict’s commitment to the process. Family confrontation and encouragement can often mean the difference between an addict defecting or remaining in treatment. Loved ones are often best suited to warn recovering addicts of potential relapse signs and dangers while encouraging compliance with the recovery process.
Close friends and family members will often experience feelings of anger, resentment, fear and mistrust toward the addict. A family’s continued involvement throughout the recovery process promotes the expression of these feelings, while encouraging a loving and proactive family dynamic moving forward.
Explaining pertinent details of the behaviors exemplified by the addict while under the influence can often serve as a catalyst in overcoming denial. Vivid and sometimes painful realizations pertaining to the extent of the addiction will often result in a true desire to carry out the recovery process during the early treatment stages.
Because addiction affects both addict and family alike, mutual support is vital to both parties. Participants are educated about the addiction, enabling, the types of substances involved, relapse signs, and how best to avoid relapse risks.
Family members are taught lessons in self-awareness while learning how to focus on their own needs. Family members struggling with their own addiction troubles will also receive support and guidance in addressing their own issues.