Substance use disorder (SUD) not only affects the person struggling with addiction, but it can also impact those close to that person. Partners, children, siblings, and parents can all suffer from a loved one’s dependence on drugs or alcohol. With the help of a family therapy program as part of addiction treatment, you and your loved ones can all heal together and move on to have healthier relationships with one another.
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, we understand how addiction and family dynamics can destroy relationships. Our family therapy program can help you and your loved ones mend broken relationships and process old hurts so that you can build a strong support system for recovery. Give us a call today at 866.516.8356 to learn more about healing relationships in our addiction treatment programs.
The Relationship Between Addiction and Family Dynamics
Addiction does not occur in a bubble, and those closest to you, especially family members, will feel the effects. Family members depend on one another. Therefore, when one person struggles with a health condition, such as substance use disorder, the impact will ripple out to the remaining members.
When you are in the grips of addiction, your behavior may become uncharacteristic, and you may unintentionally harm your loved ones. This is especially true as addiction worsens and the drugs or alcohol begin to take priority in your life.
The Impact of Addiction on Families
Some of the impacts of addiction on family dynamics include:
- Family members can no longer depend on you – When you are under the influence, coming down from drugs, or hungover from alcohol, you may become unreliable. You may miss out on important events with your loved ones, including family activities, holidays, or birthdays. The more you do not show up for important events due to addiction, the greater the rift in your relationships with your family members.
- Household financial problems can harm all family members – Adults and children require a sense of security in their home. Addiction can lead to a person spending all their money on drugs or alcohol instead of taking care of the household bills. The resulting financial strain can leave your partner or children worrying about having their needs met, including having a roof over their heads and food on the table.
- Legal problems can tear families apart – Addiction can lead to legal issues that can end up with a parent in jail and unable to care for their children. In some cases, children may be removed from the home for their safety. Splitting up children and their parents can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions.
Drug and alcohol addiction can cause irreparable damage to family relationships. Without professional help from addiction treatment specialists and family counseling, some families may never manage to reconcile.
Healing Relationships with Family Therapy
Overcoming addiction is just one part of healing your life. Since addiction also impacts your family members, the need for family therapy is high. Family counseling helps address the effects of addiction by:
- Allowing family members to express themselves honestly in a safe environment
- Encouraging open communication between all family members and allowing each person to feel heard
- Acknowledging the damage addiction has done to the family dynamics
- Teaching healthy communication skills
- Establishing healthy boundaries
- Teaching family members how to support their loved one without enabling their addiction
With the help of a qualified family therapist, your family can learn new, healthier ways to interact with one another. By mending old hurts, your family can move on to happier days together. It will also support your recovery for the long term.
Overcome Addiction at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston
When your family relationships have been strained by addiction, you can rely on Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston to help you heal. Our family counseling program can help address unhealthy family dynamics that interfere with recovery. By helping your family heal as a unit, you will benefit from a stronger support system so you can achieve lasting recovery. Give us a call today at 866.516.8356 to enroll in our family therapy program.
