The issues that trigger the drug or alcohol use do not go away just because the addict is using drugs to escape them, but rather that the substances are a symptom of the problem. Just because an addict goes to treatment, also does not mean that the original family conflicts that caused the addiction will disintegrate. The process must be communal in this sense, in order to make a full recovery.
Ways the Family Can Get Involved in Treatment
Family Therapy: This form of psychotherapy works through communication between family members. It teaches family members to understand the differences of how the family structure is functioning and how the family structure should function. Each member has the opportunity to voice their concerns within the family unit, and resolve old issues through strengthening the bond between family members. Family therapy will eliminate all the focus being on the addict, and will instead focus on the entire family as a whole executing the issues as they arise during counseling and teach conflict resolution skills that the members can take with them after treatment is over.
Family Group Sessions: This is when a therapist facilitates multiple families together at once. The benefit of this treatment is that it is a conversation between families of the addicts, the addicts, and the therapists. When families see how other families are struggling with their addicted individual they see that they are the only ones experiencing these heartaches.
Family Drug Education Group: This group will educate the family the family on the dynamics of addiction in an attempt to help them better understand the addict. The therapist will teach about drugs and alcohol, and warning signs of relapse so they can help prevent it.
Reactive Attachment Therapy: This form of therapy focuses on codependency and abandonment issues that affect interpersonal relationships. Working on these issues teaches the addict how to stop looking for acceptance from others, and replaces this way of thinking with a higher level of self-esteem.
Psychodrama: This interactive therapy allows families to act out situations that may arise in family life. In doing this, they are rehearsing their their roles in the family, thus practicing the communication skills and behaviors that they learn.
Once the family is involved, they can play a role in setting treatment goals. These goals will help to make the treatment process more objectified. When the family is showing support for the recovering addict, they are less likely to fail than with family who has turned their back on them. Feeling like they are not alone in their treatment will help the addict focus on their recovery. With the family working together to improve communication, acceptance, and tolerance of each other and their individual character defects, recovery has a much better chance of lasting, even after treatment is over.
Distributed by Client Initiative
Media Contact
Company Name: Design for Change Recovery
Contact Person: Joe Hunter
Email: Administration@designforchangerecovery.com
Phone: 855-445-9598
Address:1066 E. Avenue J.
City: Lancaster
State: CA
Country: United States
Website: https://www.designforchangerecovery.com/