Anyone who has experienced a loved one struggling with substance abuse understands why addiction is often called “a family disease”. Addiction affects the entire family and has the power to destroy trust, relationships and anyone and anything in its path. The emotional toll can leave family members feeling stressed out, confused, angry, frustrated and helpless.
You see, addiction is not just a burden that only affects the addict. The entire family—parents, partners, children, siblings—they are all incredibly impacted by the strain of addiction.
This is why, for recovery to be successful, it’s crucial to address all existing family issues. While some in treatment might have strong, healthy family relationships that can be a source of strength and support, others may experience more complex and toxic family dynamics.
The importance of treating the whole family is vital. Thankfully, more and more people are using family therapy to navigate recovery, form supportive systems, help repair damaged relationships, and—if possible—bring the family back together.
How drug addiction affects the family
It might look like addiction is a singular struggle, but it has a powerful effect on families as well. In most cases, family members have no idea how to help and often feel powerless about their loved one’s harmful behaviours. This inability to solve the problem brings about feelings of guilt, shame and anxiety as they try to cope with the chaos that has been brought into their lives.
Money issues and addiction often go hand-in-hand, which can lead to debt, money collectors, and, in some instances, homelessness. This impacts family members as they might find themselves overextending their own finances in order to help out and “solve the problem”. As they work harder to care for the person with an addiction, their own bank account might take a hit.
If children are involved, they may have difficulty in school, with friends and act out negatively as they struggle to make sense of their family life. Parents who struggle with substance abuse and addiction create traumatic, long-term issues for their children. Accidents, fights, health problems and abuse all leave lasting emotional scars that can lead to their own children struggling with addiction in the future.
From physical and emotional issues to financial difficulty, addiction creates all sorts of problems with the family structure. Family intervention provides the needed support for both the person with an addiction and the family members to start healing together.
What Is family therapy?
Family therapy is an evidence-based method of navigating addiction and recovery that helps all family members connect and improve the way they communicate and resolve conflicts. While this is necessary for the recovery process, it’s also important to remember that family involvement doesn’t look the same for everyone.
For those without a core nuclear family, this could include the participation of step-parents or extended family members like grandparents, aunts, and uncles. It’s not unusual for those in recovery to have fractured family structures and family members who may be unwilling or unable to attend therapy sessions.
With family therapy, everyone involved learns how to understand addiction, how it has affected the entire family and how you or your loved one can get closer to their goals of healing.
The benefits of family therapy in addiction treatment
Family therapy can be very beneficial in treating addiction, not just for those struggling with compulsive behaviours and addiction but also for their families who are suffering in a dysfunctional environment.
Here are ten benefits of family therapy for addiction treatment:
1. Education and understanding
In family therapy, everyone involved learns about the root causes of addiction, the understanding of addiction treatments and how this plays out in the family structure. Through education, family members start to realise that addiction is a disease and how it has affected the family.
2. Rebuilds and repairs damaged family relationships
Addiction can often be an isolating and lonely place where family bonds have been broken, seemingly beyond repair. Family therapy provides a space for families to connect, communicate and heal again.
3. Supportive, safe space
Families who are going through the struggle of their loved one’s addiction can feel like they have nowhere to turn and process their own stress and anxiety. In family therapy, those family members have a safe, supportive space to air their own grievances as they seek guidance.
4. Constructive communication
Family therapy provides a conducive environment where family members can openly express themselves. By learning constructive communication, everyone has the opportunity to talk about their feelings, concerns, and experiences. With improved communication, families have a better chance of repairing broken relationships and building stronger bonds for lasting recovery.
5. Identifying enabling behaviors
The right family therapist helps family members identify enabling behaviours that may be contributing to the cycle of addiction and learn how to control them. By identifying and addressing these patterns or codependent behaviors family members can create a healthy, supportive environment conducive to recovery.
6. Boundary setting
Healthy boundaries are essential when dealing with those struggling with addiction. By establishing clear boundaries, family members can protect themselves while encouraging the individual to take responsibility for their actions.
7. Rebuilding trust
Addiction can erode trust between family members, leading to strained relationships. Family therapy provides a structured framework for rebuilding trust through honest communication, accountability, and consistency in behaviour.
8. Conflict resolution
With addiction comes conflict. Family members may have a difficult time as trust has likely been broken time and time again. Family therapy helps family members solve conflicts and learn acceptance and forgiveness while building back the necessary trust. With proper therapy and honest interaction, everyone involved acquires the skills to navigate disagreements constructively and respectfully.
9. Trauma resolution
Addiction often stems from unresolved trauma. Family therapy provides a safe space to explore and address any underlying trauma in the family. Often, there are other members of the family who are also struggling with mental health issues such as anxiety, depression or perhaps compulsive behaviours and substance abuse themselves. It’s vital to address and treat these issues, as any mental health challenge can be detrimental to family communication and could trigger or contribute to a relapse.
10. Relapse prevention
Family therapy equips families with strategies to keep their loved ones motivated, engaged, and supported throughout all stages of recovery. Families can intervene early and prevent setbacks and relapse by learning to recognise triggers and warning signs.
By participating in family therapy sessions, all family members will be able to provide a stronger support system for their loved ones’ long-term recovery.
Why family therapy at Camino Recovery works
Family therapy is crucial for repairing and strengthening relationships that have been negatively affected by substance abuse and addiction. Involving the entire family in the treatment process helps the family heal alongside the individual in recovery. The goal is to rebuild the family unit as a cornerstone of support, affection, acceptance, and pride, which are essential for long-term addiction recovery.
At Camino Therapy we offer a specialised treatment just for family members. Our 4-5 day family programme offers family members the chance to meet with their loved one’s therapists and participate in process groups and educational sessions. During this time, you will learn more about family systems, boundaries, communication and the best ways to support your family member in their recovery. You’ll also gain the tools needed to identify signs of relapse or struggles so that any challenges can be dealt with promptly, quickly getting everyone back on track.
The structure of our family programme involves the following:
- Educational lectures/presentations by clinical staff
- Group therapy and interactive discussions
- Personal goal-setting
- Reading and reflection
- Fellowship with other participants
- Counsellor-facilitated family conferences
Above all, the family programme is designed to promote your well-being. Through education and guidance, you will learn that you cannot cure or control your loved one’s behaviour but can take responsibility for your health and happiness.
Help is available at Camino Recovery
Addiction does not discriminate—anyone can be affected. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse or addiction, help is available. At Camino Recovery, we have over 16 years of experience in helping families repair the damage caused by addiction.
Our caring team of professionals use a combined treatment of psychiatric, clinical, and medical approaches, including advanced therapy, 12-step programs, holistic and wellness treatments, family healing programs and relapse prevention.
If you’re ready to take the first step, call us today and start your family’s journey to recovery.
