Addiction is considered a family battle as it affects those addicted and everyone else around them. The whole household always carries the burden when one person struggles with substance use. However, involving family members in the treatment program can also enhance recovery. Here are three key support components that can significantly improve treatment outcomes.
1. The Impact of Family Therapy on Recovery
Family therapy or counseling is a talking treatment that focuses on improving relationships among family members. The approach involves loved ones in addressing factors that may contribute to or result from substance use. According to research, family-focused treatment plans promote engagement and motivation, leading to long-lasting results (Hogue et al., 2021). The goals of this approach are to educate family members about addiction and correct enabling behaviors that may unintentionally promote substance use.
Family therapy can take different forms in addressing addiction. These include couples therapy, family behavior, and functional family therapy. Multisystemic and multidimensional family therapies are often used to help adolescents and diverse populations with severe substance use disorders. All treatments typically involve the whole family or a part of it, where one or a few people meet a therapist. This builds a more stable and supportive ground for recovery.
2. Open Communication Builds Healing and Trust
Substance use and addiction cause patterns of avoidance and resentment, even from one’s spouse and other close relatives. As recovery begins, it is essential to rebuild the strained communication and restore trust among family members. This matters a lot as honest and respectful conversations reduce the isolation many individuals in treatment feel. Open communication also minimizes misunderstandings that can lead to emotional triggers or a relapse. Fortunately, most treatment programs, such as My Time Recovery, emphasize the need for family communication and counseling in fighting addiction.
Some recommended strategies include being compassionate and not judgmental. Actively listening to the person without interruptions and responding friendly manner allows them to express how they feel. Creating a safe space where all parties can speak freely strengthens family connections. All these provide a source of encouragement for an addicted member to develop a positive attitude towards recovery.
3. The Importance of Setting Healthy Boundaries
Family is vital in the addiction treatment journey, but it must have healthy boundaries to prevent unfairness and burnout. These are clearly defined rules or expectations that promote emotional safety and accountability. They include emotional, financial, time, and energy boundaries. These help maintain trust and respect while empowering the individuals to be cautious about their actions.
Doctors often guide families and addicted individuals through the process of settling and upholding boundaries. That is especially true when relapse occurs or trust has been broken repeatedly. Through family involvement, boundaries teach each person the effects of addiction, which is an important part of behavioral change. They also reduce codependency and enabling behaviors, where family members sacrifice their well-being to rescue the addicted individual.
In Summary
Recovery can be more manageable when it is a shared effort, not an additional issue. Families that participate in treatment plans adopt better communication and learn to set respectful boundaries, which influence the treatment results. For long-term sobriety, seeking professional guidance is recommended to manage crises and ensure family-wide well-being.
Sources
- Eeren, H. V., Goossens, L. M. A., Scholte, R. H. J., Busschbach, J. J. V., & van der Rijken, R. E. A. (2018). Multisystemic Therapy and Functional Family Therapy Compared on their Effectiveness Using the Propensity Score Method. Journal of abnormal child psychology, 46(5), 1037–1050. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-017-0392-4
- Hogue, A., Becker, S. J., Wenzel, K., Henderson, C. E., Bobek, M., Levy, S., & Fishman, M. (2021). Family involvement in treatment and recovery for substance use disorders among transition-age youth: Research bedrocks and opportunities. Journal of substance abuse treatment, 129, 108402. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108402