Addiction affects the entire family. Many of us have experienced first-hand the devastating effects of addiction on family members. But just because a family member has a substance abuse problem does not mean you are powerless to help. You can empower your loved ones to seek help and support them along their journey to recovery.
One of the most important aspects of addiction treatment is family support. Addiction does not just affect the addict, it affects the entire family, and everyone has a role to play. The family of the addict needs to promote recovery through love and support, while those in recovery need to accept their roles as family members.
What Role does Family Play in Recovery from Addiction?
Provides structure, rules, and boundaries
Addiction recovery can disrupt the entire family’s life. But like most addictions, they can be healed. Stay strong and tell yourself that you are doing the right thing for all involved. Provide structure, rules, and boundaries. Identifying what is causing the problem is important before trying to fix it. Establish clear rules for everyone to follow. Be consistent, fair, and respectful.
Provides support for recovery
Family recovery support is essential in aiding a loved one in recovery from a substance use disorder. Families can strengthen their bond and be a source of support for their loved ones, which can help in long-term recovery.
Provides emotional security
Sometimes an addict may avoid seeking treatment due to the fear of being judged or rejected by other family members. But there is a way around this. By confronting the addict, family members can encourage their loved ones to seek treatment. Family members can also inform them of all of the resources available to them.
Provides financial security
When it comes to helping a loved one struggling with addiction, a family is an invaluable resource. However, many families cut back on expenses, cutting back on outings, and cutting back on food in order to help a family member struggling with addiction. To help make this difficult time easier financially.
Provides encouragement
Talking about it with your family, however, is sometimes even harder. Family recovery can be a positive experience if everyone involved is willing and able to participate. It can provide a path to healing, rebuilding, and reconnecting for family members.
Enables active participation
Family members, friends, and coworkers often play an important part in influencing and affecting recovery in addicts. Even the addict may miss opportunities to enroll in treatment or fail to attend support groups and meetings if the family, friends, and coworkers are not acting in a positive and supportive way. It does not take much to keep an addicted person living an unhealthy lifestyle.
The importance of the family in addiction recovery cannot be stressed enough. The recovery of a loved one, be it a family member or friend, is a team effort. The entire family unit must work together to help their loved one recover, including the addicted individual.
The great news is that addiction is a family disease, not a solely personal problem. Many family members play a role in loved ones’ recovery, and it is important to recognize and acknowledge them in the process. Enabling loved ones to stay addicted, or avoiding them altogether, creates an unhealthy environment for recovery. Unfortunately, some members act in ways that support their family member’s addiction and are not in recovery. Addiction recovery requires family support, not enabling.
Family involvement is important for recovery because of emotional, psychological, and spiritual reasons. A family is a safe haven that provides a sense of security, love, and support. It can help a person understand addiction, provide encouragement, and support, and help them see that change is possible. Having family involved can also serve as a bridge to professional treatment such as rehab.
