When people suffer from addiction, the disease doesn’t only affect them. Others around them also struggle, especially family members or others with whom they live. Because of that, family addiction therapy has become a staple in the recovery process.
How Addiction Affects Families
No matter the family or household dynamic, addiction has adverse effects on everyone involved. However, the problems that develop may vary slightly.
In a household of two people who are partners or spouses, both of them will need treatment. The reason is that codependency issues grow when one person has an addiction but the other doesn’t. When people with addiction live in blended families, the disease hinders the already challenging integration and stability.
Addiction problems can have damaging effects on children when one of the parents has a substance problem. The spouse or partner will likely protect the kids and take over all parental duties. When both parents have an addiction, though, the effects on the kids are even worse.
When teens have substance abuse issues, their siblings could feel like their parents ignore their problems. The reason is that the parents often react to the continuous dilemmas that the teens with addiction cause. If one of the parents also abuses drugs, the emotional and physical issues that may develop are dangerous.
About Family Addiction Therapy
In all of the above living situations, family involvement in the treatment process produces better outcomes. In fact, when families don’t learn about addiction and how it affects the family dynamic, it can hinder recovery. The reason is that dysfunctional and enabling behaviors continue at home, which can trigger a relapse.
When affected family members get addiction education, they learn how to support their loved ones in recovery and reduce the risk of relapse. Because of that, experts recommend that addiction therapists incorporate family addiction therapy into treatment.
Besides, family counseling teaches everyone how to function and communicate effectively. Patients gain insight into how their actions impact others. Then, they develop skills that help them change their behaviors. They begin to work together, using their strengths to promote ongoing abstinence among themselves and future generations.
Family Behavior Therapy
As the primary type of family addiction therapy, family behavior counseling addresses the problems within the family. The overall goal is to reduce the risk factors for addiction. Some of these include behavior issues, family conflict, physical or sexual abuse, and unemployment.
During each session, multiple family members join their loved ones in a therapist-guided discussion. The family members may include partners, spouses, parents, and children. Even close friends, in or out of the household, may join.
The therapists use different counseling techniques depending on the family’s needs. Behavioral contracting and contingency management are two examples. These encourage those in treatment and their family members to practice healthy behaviors.
How Family Involvement Helps During Treatment
Before addiction treatment, the family or household dynamic usually involves imbalanced communication and conflicts. During family addiction therapy, counselors help correct these problems.
Along the way, loved ones with addiction gain support from family involvement. Instead of feeling separated from their families, they gain comfort in the fact that their families care for them. All too often, people with addiction feel alienated, unimportant and unloved. With their families involved, they may feel more motivated to change their lives and overcome substance abuse.
Family Counseling at Clear Life Recovery
Are you looking for the best Orange County CA addiction treatment center? Clear Life Recovery has a facility in Costa Mesa. As part of our rehab services, we offer family therapy as well as:
- Individual therapy
- Group addiction therapy
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Holistic therapy
- SMART recovery program
Whether you have alcohol or heroin addiction, Clear Life Recovery can provide a full continuum of care. Treatment starts with detox and then a residential or outpatient rehab program that fits your needs. Our sober living program continues to support you in recovery to help you stay sober.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that only you need addiction treatment. Get family addiction therapy so that your loved ones can recover too. Find out more about Clear Life Recovery’s counseling services by calling 866-261-7291.