When an individual spirals into their addiction, it affects their loved ones too. That’s the sad reality of addiction; it’s a family problem.
In this blog, we’ll look at the following topics on family support in addiction recovery:
- The Impact of Addiction on Families
- How Families Can Offer Support
- Understanding the Recovery Process
- The Role of Family Therapy in Recovery
- Nurturing a Supportive Home Environment
- Harmony Junction Recovery’s Approach to Family Involvement
The Impact of Addiction on Families
Even if an addict goes through treatment, so long as their family isn’t addressed, many of the original problems will persist.
The addict is going home to the same environment of enablement, blame, anger, and other issues, which, in turn, could trigger a relapse. That’s why both the addict and the family unit need a support system and healing during recovery.
How Families Can Offer Support
If your loved one is going through recovery right now, we understand how overwhelming and scary it can be for you. Many families think that everything will be okay once their loved one is in addiction treatment.
In reality, you’re left with fears for the future and wondering how your family dynamics will change with that person once they’re sober. Some practical first steps you can take to support your loved one during treatment include:
Providing Emotional Support
Write to them words of encouragement
Whether you’re able to visit them or not, physical letters of encouragement are tangible reminders of your support that they can always keep near them.
Attend your own family-based therapy sessions.
While your family member is doing their part, you must do yours. Take part in family therapy sessions, where you can better understand your role in addiction and recovery and how to be the best support for them post-treatment.
Be patient, and don’t overcrowd them.
Lastly, give them the space to heal. One main reason why inpatient treatment exists is to take the person struggling with substance abuse out of their typical environment and place them somewhere with no associations to their addiction. Your support can mean the world to them, but you still need to let them do their own work in recovery.
Understanding the Recovery Process
Addiction recovery has multiple parts to it and doesn’t happen all at once. At Harmony Junction Recovery, we break the recovery process into three main steps: Medical Detox, Treatment, and After Care.
Medical Detox
Medical detox is the first step when you arrive at our treatment centers. During detox, you’ll be closely supervised to gradually stop using the substance, helping to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Medical detox in a professional setting provides accountability, lowering the risk of relapse.
Recovery Treatment
After detox, we’ll suggest the next step: our long-term care program. In this program, you’ll engage in medical and therapeutic treatments, such as psychiatrist appointments, group and individual therapy, and holistic care.
After Care
Once you’ve completed detox and treatment, you’ll leave our facility to return to daily life. Family support is critical during this time. Along with this, our After Care program includes therapy, support groups, group work, and sober living to keep you working on yourself and your recovery.
The Role of Family Therapy in Recovery
Family therapy incorporates the primary family of the addict into the recovery process. In a group setting, your therapist will help improve communication and conflict resolution and foster healing with each family member.
It’s common for family members of addicts to fall into a part in the addiction, whether they’ve built up resentment against those who enable it or the addict themself. Because of this, both the addict and the family unit require support and healing during recovery.
Benefits of Family Therapy
Family therapy can be incredibly exhausting at times, but the amount of good that comes out of a professional setting with a mediator is significant. Some of the primary benefits include:
- Everyone explains their perspective on the issue
- Everyone learns about addiction and fosters a better understanding
- The whole family learns coping strategies
- Addresses additional substance use disorders and mental health treatment
- Improves communication
- Unbiased mediator
- Everyone is supporting a loved one’s recovery
- Resolves family dynamic issues and enabling behaviors
Nurturing a Supportive Home Environment
As your loved one returns home, it’s essential to maintain an environment that nurtures recovery and doesn’t hinder it.
Encouraging Healthy Lifestyle Changes
A Substance-Free Home
First and foremost, there should be zero access to the substance or similar substances in the home. If your loved one is a recovering alcoholic, others they’re living with must not drink in the home or around them.
Removal of Triggers
Once the recovering addict is back in their original environment, they must be careful about certain elements that trigger relapse. This could be a certain place, a person, or another substance.
Establish Boundaries
Your loved one needs to know where your boundaries are and that you intend to keep them. For example, if you’re allowing the recovering addict to live with you rent-free so long as they don’t use, you must hold them accountable. If they do reuse, you must follow through with the consequences and ask them to leave. It sounds harsh, but an addict won’t change without seeing the consequences of their actions.
Encourage Healthy Living
Set an example. If you’re fully dedicated to helping your loved one recover, you need to take care of yourself. Buy healthy food, invite them to go on walks or take part in physical fitness, plan family gatherings, etc. When you’re busy enjoying life, it leaves little room to think about your addiction.
Harmony Junction Recovery’s Approach to Family Involvement
At Harmony Junction Rehab, we offer a personalized recovery program that addresses the needs of each of our patients. Our program follows a medical detox, rehabilitation, and aftercare model to keep your treatment comprehensive and effective.
Medical Detox
- Fentanyl detox
- Alcohol detox
- Heroin detox
- Meth detox
- And others
Rehabilitation
- Inpatient Rehab
- Medical Assisted Treatment (MAT)
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
Along with our traditional rehab program, we offer the following alternatives:
Aftercare
- Therapy
- Holistic
- Individual
- Family
- Group work
- 12 step meetings
- Non-12 step meetings
- Therapy sessions
- Sober living
- Transitional living
- Scheduled 12-step meetings
- Scheduled group meetings
Begin Your Recovery Journey Today
Recovery may not be easy, but it IS possible. Don’t let addiction get the best of you, and start your recovery journey today. Contact us to learn more.
Clint earned a Master of Science in Clinical Psychology in 2012. With 5 years in drug and alcohol treatment and 8 years in private practice, he specializes in helping clients uncover obstacles to living their envisioned life. Leveraging his experience, Clint supports clients in finding the motivation to make meaningful life changes.
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