The effects of addiction go well beyond the person abusing drugs or alcohol. Those closest to the person will often suffer along with them. When addiction takes over, people may no longer be themselves and exhibit uncharacteristic behaviors like lying, stealing, and cheating. While addiction can dissolve relationships, family support is of the utmost importance for a person to recover. A family therapy program can help families heal from the effects of addiction together.
At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, we understand how significant family support is to the recovery process. We provide a family therapy program to help you and your loved ones heal together so you can achieve the lasting recovery you all deserve. Call us today at 866.516.8356 to learn more about how our family therapy program works.
Why Family Counseling Should Be Part of Your Recovery
Addiction is considered a family disease since it affects the entire family. When a person struggles with addiction, it impacts more than just their own mind and body. There is a ripple effect that spreads throughout the entire family unit. Here are some examples that demonstrate how addiction affects loved ones:
- A parent passed out from benzos may be late or completely miss picking their kid up from school.
- A person may become violent with their partner when confronted about their substance abuse.
- Teens may steal pills from their parents or money to buy pills.
- A young adult under the influence of alcohol may get into a car accident while driving with their younger sibling.
The above examples show how addiction can affect a person’s children, partners, parents, or siblings.
Ongoing Issues Concerning the Impacts of Addiction
Nobody is immune when it comes to addiction. Actions such as those above can lead to ongoing issues, such as:
- Feeling unsafe – Children may feel uncomfortable around the parent under the influence, and a spouse may worry about anger or violence from their partner with addiction.
- Resentment – When a loved one struggles with addiction, other family members may end up picking up the slack with responsibilities around the house, child care, and paying bills. Over time, this can lead to bitterness and resentment.
- Lack of trust – Addiction hurts everyone in the family and breaks down trust, which can cause irreparable damage to relationships.
Over time, family members may drift apart and give up on the person struggling with substance abuse. Without the support of family, it can be incredibly challenging to achieve lasting recovery.
How Do Addiction Counseling Services Support Families?
Trust is a core component of healthy relationships. Addiction erodes trust and weakens relationships, making it difficult for families to interact with one another in healthy ways. The resulting dysfunction can exacerbate substance abuse and trigger a seemingly endless pattern of negative interactions. Addiction counseling services aim to repair and rebuild trust so that families can play the supportive role needed for the person struggling with addiction.
Addiction counseling services support families through recovery by:
- Addressing underlying issues that have negatively affected family dynamics, such as divorce, abuse, or betrayal
- Acknowledging unhealthy patterns and replacing them with healthier behaviors
- Teaching family members how to set boundaries and hold their loved ones accountable
- Preparing family members to support their loved ones without enabling them
- Building a solid recovery support system by taking steps to regain trust
Family counseling is vital for setting up a healthy home environment that is conducive to recovery. When all family members are on the same page and can move on from the past toward a new future together, the person in recovery will have the best chance for success.
Seek Support for Your Family at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston
The family therapy program at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston can help your family put the past behind them and focus on a better, brighter future. Give us a call at 866.516.8356 to get started with our family addiction counseling services.
