Substance Abuse and Family

Substance abuse and addiction affect family members, so in order for recovery to be complete family members must be a part of recovery. In most situations in which a family member has a substance abuse problem, the family doesn’t understand why the person’s hurtful behavior. The loved one with the problem breaks promises to quit over and over, and this apparent dishonesty creates anger and confusion.

The family needs education and perhaps treatment just like the person with the substance abuse problem needs education and treatment. Once everyone in the family understands substance abuse and addiction, they can work together to manage recovery, because the family is, in a sense, recovering also. Sometimes with substance abuse the damage done to family relationships is not that great, so when the affected person changes and stops using drugs or drinking alcohol the family quickly pulls together and moves forward with even stronger relationships — however, in the case of long term addiction, great damage is often caused to family relationships, and much work is needed to repair relationships. Sometimes the damage is so great that relationships aren’t mended, and this is one of the saddest aspects of addiction. Knowing that people can change, it’s difficult for a therapist to see family’s torn completely apart — we know what can happen in recovery if everyone will just give it one more chance.

It’s understandable, though, that some family members damaged by the effects of addiction will cut off contact to protect themselves — sometimes it’s the only way for them to maintain their own mental and emotional health. But when possible, if the family will get involved, there’s a greater chance for recovery and drastic change.

This is from Recovery.org:

It is critical that the entire family be involved in the treatment as well as the recovery process. To do this, the family will need to learn the best ways to support the recovering individual once the treatment program has finished. Many drug and alcohol treatment facilities provide education for family members on topics such as how addiction works and how to handle stress.

Click on the link — it goes on to present practical changes that can help the family pull together and manage the recovery process.