Addiction has far-reaching effects that include family and friends of the individual with a substance use disorder. A crucial component of the treatment process for addiction and mental health concerns is educating, eliminating misconceptions and stigma of addiction and mental health concerns, and correcting dysfunctional relationship habits. Family therapy for addiction prepares everyone in the support system for sustaining long-term recovery and repairing and improving family relationships. This therapeutic approach begins with the initial treatment process to strengthen the support system for success in recovery.
Benefits of Family Therapy for Addiction
The benefits of family therapy for addiction touch each individual in the support system. Addiction and mental health conditions are often generational problems that cause challenges in maintaining healthy and positive relationships within the family. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states more than 321,000 US children lost a parent to a drug overdose from 2011 to 2021, according to a published study. The devastation to US families is enormous, and it continues to perpetuate throughout new generations when people do not choose to receive treatment.
Ending this generational plague can begin with the decision to stop using and receive treatment, including the family participating in family therapy. Family therapy not only repairs relationships but also forms a strong, positive, healthy unit. Studies prove that family therapy supports an individual in staying in treatment. Addiction education is helpful for relapse prevention and ending enabling behaviors that often unknowingly exist. Family therapy for addiction teaches supportive measures for everyone surrounding the recovering loved one, fostering a sense of unity and strength.
The benefits of family therapy include:
- Strengthened relationships
- Improvement in communication skills
- Positive and healthy coping strategies
- Enhances support system for all
- Reaches unique and individual family issues
Educate the Family About Addiction
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association (SAMHSA) offers some insights into educating the family about addiction and the benefits of family therapy. Educating the family about addiction is only part of what the family learns in family therapy. Encouraging the engagement of the family to be a strong support system involves teaching healthy and positive communication skills, understanding the treatment process, and the foundations of addiction as an illness. Most importantly, family therapy provides additional information for the family to find help with their needs in the community and support networks.
Psychoeducation in family therapy includes providing the following information:
- The biopsychosocial effects of substance use disorders on the patient and the family
- Understanding what to expect from the treatment and ongoing recovery process
- Understanding how essential family support is throughout treatment and recovery
- The information provides how to build their support and coping resources
- Reduces feelings of isolation, shame, and guilt
- Education on substance use disorders and strategies for relapse prevention
- Problem-solving and communication skills
Improves Communication
The benefits of family therapy for addiction include working with families to improve their communication skills. We are not born with positive and healthy communication skills, and more times than not, in families where addiction and mental health concerns exist, communication is not a priority. Family therapy for addiction teaches how communication skills can lead to understanding and encouragement of each other. Healthy communication skills include learning how to resolve conflicts and set boundaries. Bringing a new respect to how people choose their words supports family unity.
Strengthens Family Bonds
Family therapy strengthens family bonds to support healing and transitioning into a healthy and productive family unit. Therapists explore misconceptions about addiction, explore family history to eliminate blame, and introduce new methods of understanding, expressing emotions and feelings, and how to support their loved ones. Forming new family bonds and repairing damage from the addiction can resolve anger, guilt, shame, and misunderstandings. In strengthening family bonds the family learns how to support each other throughout the recovery process and sober future.
Enhances Emotional Support
Another option for family therapy is couples counseling. In addition to family counseling, this form of treatment can help couples who need assistance enhancing their relationship’s emotional support. Individual and group therapy delves into identifying emotions and feelings and their effect on emotional health. Family therapy introduces the importance of being emotionally available and supporting each other emotionally during this challenging time in a safe environment.
Reduces Risk of Relapse
Family therapy for addiction reduces the risk of relapse by emphasizing the importance of the support system. Relapse prevention plans incorporate a list of supportive measures to rely upon if thoughts of using begin to occur. For families who understand the importance of acting immediately in these situations, the family support system may be able to stop relapse before it happens. Family therapy includes situational awareness about how relapse occurs and how to recognize stressful challenges as they present themselves.
Supports Long-Term Addiction Recovery
Addiction and mental health conditions are lifelong chronic illnesses, and long-term support is beneficial for continuing sobriety. The goal for everyone surrounding the loved one with a substance use disorder is continuing sobriety, personal growth, and prevention of relapse. Family therapy supplies the tools to meet the needs of all family members for the long haul. Lifelong support is crucial for continuing sobriety.
What to Look for in a Family Therapy Program
The family therapy program is an essential component of the treatment plan. When searching for addiction treatment, the center must offer a strong family therapy program. The goals of the program must include learning more about addiction and treatment, providing methods for enhancing communication skills and coping strategies and addressing the unique needs of the family. Look for understanding and compassion to build a support system for your loved one.
Experience Benefits of Family Therapy to Become a Strong Support System in Texas
It is expected to have questions and concerns about how to support a loved one struggling with an addiction. The Lovett Center in Texas understands how fragile the family unit is at this challenging time. Confusion and doubts are often stumbling blocks to overcome when learning how to support your loved one. Contact The Lovett Center today to take the first step in resolving these conflicts.
