How are addiction and family issues tied together? When someone abuses drugs and alcohol, does the problem really affect their loved ones as well? Yes, it does. Most users have family members who deeply care about them. The struggle with addiction, therefore, impacts them, too. Thus, the right treatment program gives everyone in the family the chance to heal and move forward.
Whenever someone struggles with substance use disorder, the first people to see changes in behavior and face the consequences tend to be family members or loved ones. This is because family and loved ones tend to be the people we have the most contact with, they are in a unique position to see the effects of drugs or alcohol on an individual. Also, they experience the negatives of it just as the individual does. Therefore, it’s important that loved ones get the treatment they need to heal their emotional and mental issues while learning to be properly supportive of someone dealing with the disease of addiction. Sante Center can offer family therapy with this in mind as well as many other addiction treatment therapies.
Addiction and Family Issues
As anyone who has ever been touched by addiction knows, its effects are far-reaching. It creates a host of problems and can even destroy families.
Addiction impacts a family’s financial and emotional stability. Members may have to take on different roles to navigate life with addiction. As the user isolates himself, his loved ones may withdraw from him as well.
In addition, children who grow up in homes with a parent who has substance abuse issues are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol themselves. This can create an ongoing cycle within a family.
The time to stop that cycle is now.
When Family Members Enable
Whether it’s your child, spouse, or sibling, it can be devastating to watch as they grapple with drug and alcohol dependency. You’ve probably felt a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, resentment, fear, confusion, and guilt. This is all perfectly normal.
Because you care so much, you might have enabled the user in your life without realizing it. You thought you were helping them, but enabling behaviors feed into addiction.
If you covered for your family member because they couldn’t take care of their responsibilities or you put their needs before your own, this counts as enabling.
It can be hard to break out of such behaviors since they’re usually rooted in love. But, the best thing you can do for a loved one battling addiction is to support them without engaging in their destructive habits.
Healing for the Whole Family
When your loved one enters rehab, you might be invited to participate in family counseling. This can help everyone impacted by addiction begin to heal.
You’ll learn more about the connection between addiction and family problems. You may start to understand how and why your loved one turned to drug and alcohol abuse. By forgiving, and asking for forgiveness, family members can repair the bonds that addiction broke.
Recovering Together
Santé Center for Healing can give you and your loved ones a fresh start. We’re a detox and addiction recovery center in Argyle, Texas. We understand the importance of treating men and women dealing with addiction, as well as the people who love them.
Our treatment programs include:
We emphasize the 12 step approach, as well as research-based treatment.
If addiction and family issues are threatening the stability of your home, reach out to us today at 866.238.3154. Our caring professionals can guide you toward long-term recovery.
