Addiction is often called a family disease. That’s because a singular addiction can impact family dynamics, create stress for an entire family, lead to co-dependency issues and even have a genetic component. Clearly, addiction can impact the whole family. That’s one reason why a family therapy program is so critical, even during the initial stages of recovery at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston.

No matter what your family members feel about your substance use, finding treatment is critical. It allows you to regain control of your health and life, allowing you to step into a better future. A family therapy program can also allow you to reconnect with the people you love, which can be an excellent support system once you finish treatment. Today is the day for you and your family to begin healing from drug and alcohol use. Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston today at 866.516.8356 to learn about the benefits of a family therapy program during addiction treatment.

Addiction and Codependency

Family Therapy ProgramMany people who struggle also deal with co-dependent relationships. In most cases, this co-dependency happens within the family. If the physical symptoms of addiction get treated, but the co-dependency issues do not, the underlying family issues fester. Family therapy is an effective way of identifying and treating co-dependency.

Codependency typically involves poor boundaries between two or more individuals. Those who struggle with addiction often engage in co-dependency with loved ones. This means they rely on them excessively for emotional, financial, or physical support.

If an individual continues to take advantage of loved ones and maintains this co-dependent relationship, he or she is unlikely to get and stay sober. By counseling family members about co-dependency and showing them how to stop enabling addiction, patients can confront their issues. This may be the only truly effective way to prevent relapse and self-harming behavior in the future.

Genetic Factors That Can Contribute to Addiction

Addiction is also called a family disease because it often runs in the family. One of the reasons this happens is because addiction can develop in part because of genetics. Certain family members may have a predisposition to the addiction gene. This makes them more likely to form a dependence on dangerous substances.

If one person in the family struggles with a drug or alcohol addiction, then it is likely that their parents, siblings, or children are also susceptible. One of the best ways to prevent an addiction from forming is to highlight the genetic risk factor. In a family therapy program, the next generation can learn about the dangers of substance abuse, and that may save a life later.

Family Members Often Impacted by Same Major Events

In addition to the genetic component, addiction runs in families who experience the same major events. Trauma, for example, is a major cause of addiction. If an entire family lived through a violent crime, familial abuse, or a natural disaster, then they all will benefit from therapy.

Family therapy seeks to identify any traumatic experiences in the past and then resolve them. Even if certain family members aren’t directly struggling with addiction, resolving past issues improves the mental and emotional stability of the family.

Strengthening the Family Support Network

After detox and rehab, patients still need to rely on a support network. While that network can be made up of friends, peers, therapists, or anyone else, it often includes family members. In order for the family to be an effective support network, they need to have a healthy relationship with the patient. Family therapy can heal damaged relationships and restore a healthy family dynamic.

At the end of successful family counseling, family members should all be on the same page. This makes the recovery process easier for patients, and it also ensures a strong support network is waiting, ready, and prepared to fight back against the risk of relapse.

What Conditions Can Benefit From Family Therapy?

Family therapy can positively impact a wide range of conditions. Our treatment programs utilize family therapy to address a wide array of addictions, such as:

However, for those who are also suffering from mental health issues, family therapy can help family members understand what their loved ones are going through. In doing so, they can learn to support their loved ones and recognize the triggers for their condition. Furthermore, family therapy can also shed some light on some of the misinformation surrounding their loved one’s condition. We offer family therapy as part of our dual diagnosis treatment program, which addresses both addiction and mental health conditions concurrently.

Family Therapy Program at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston

At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, the primary objective is helping patients break free from the shackles of chemical dependency. To effectively overcome a drug or alcohol addiction, it involves more than just the physical symptoms. It also has to include strategies like family therapy. Patients at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston can expect addiction treatment that includes all of the following:

For many patients, involving the family is a large part of addiction recovery. At Serenity House Detox & Recovery Houston, you’ll be able to achieve sobriety while strengthening your family ties. Call 866.516.8356 to get started on your journey to healthier family life, addiction-free today.