Family Involvement In Addiction Recovery
Addiction is not the end of the world!
However, for someone who is looking at this from the viewpoint of a family member, it could look like the end of the world.
Just imagine this-
Watching your loved ones suffering from this deadly addiction and still not being able to do anything.
Having daily fights and then making up!
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Then dealing with their bad habits again.
These are some of the common things which they deal with.
Who knows what else?
However, did you know that having a caring family member is the biggest strength for someone suffering from addiction?
They can be your greatest help if you just let them help you.
So, if you are someone who is battling an addiction, talk to your family member. They are not trying to judge; they are simply trying to help you back on the path of sobriety.
Now, if you are a family member, then ensure these few things.
– Try to be patient with them.
– Try not to blame them for everything.
– Try not to use certain words.
– Don’t take their words personally.
In this excerpt below, we will be talking about all the dos and don’ts of helping someone who is suffering from addiction.
Table of Contents
Why A Family Should Help
Understandably the person who is different from addiction is being very hostile to almost everyone in the house, regardless of the relationship they have with them.
However, that is not the reason why you should never give them another chance.
Deep down, they are vulnerable and weak. Plus, they are not going to call up and ask if VSM provides an alcohol detox in Austin.
Thus, as a sensible family member, you have to show them the light.
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The patient will appreciate it no matter how much they are denying it right now.
Benefits Of Family Involvement In Addiction Recovery
Here are some of the common benefits which every family member should be aware of if they are a little reluctant to help the patient.
1. Less Isolation For The Patient
When someone is dealing with addiction issues like drugs or alcohol, they tend to isolate themselves from everyone.
This is either because they are hiding, or they have this constant fear of getting caught and being judged.
However, as family members, if you provide them with assurance, they will fear the consequences less and want to get sober more.
This isolation can never be good for the patient.
2. Patient Will See Some Hope
They are hopeless, and that is what is causing this hostile behavior and relapses.
If they are receiving a positive signal from their family’s end, they might be able to give rise to some of that hope.
With that hope, they will believe that recovery is possible and start thinking about the different options they can take.
3. Patient Will Have Someone To Talk To
When patients have someone to talk to, they already feel a lot more light-hearted.
From the way they behave and the way they isolate themselves, it might look like they do not need any help, but that is far from true.
Yes, they need help, they need to talk, and family members are their first option.
4. They Will Agree To Take Professional Help
Once you talk to them and induce the hope within, it is time to show them some options for recovery.
If they do not have the support, they might not be able to do it all on their own.
5. They Will Be Able To Maintain Sobriety
After the recovery, maintaining that sobriety is a big task.
Help from the right family members and friends always makes this process much easier. Family members can join family therapies to understand the different ways in which they can help once the patient is out of the recovery center.
Plus, they can even join the former patient in certain holistic activities like yoga or art therapy.
Frequently Asked Questions
When we talk about the different ways a family can be involved in addiction recovery, there are a few questions that surface a lot.
These are a few of them.
1. What Are The Most Important Factors Which A Family Should Be Aware Of When It Comes To Addiction?
Ans. Yes, we can understand. For someone who doesn’t know much about addiction and recovery, helping someone who is battling addiction could be pretty intimidating.
However, here are a few factors that you should keep in mind, and they will help you somehow.
– Be Aware Of Their Emotions.
– Do not blame them for everything, as it can be triggering.
– Help them cope with their psychological distresses.
– Help them maintain sobriety.
2. What Happens In Family Therapy?
Ans. Here are some of the things which can happen when you go for family therapy.
– You might be triggered by certain elements which will be spoken by the patient. However, the therapist will definitely help you to get it under control.
– You might not always be there to talk. Sometimes you just have to keep quiet and listen. That is the rule of it.
– The patient is suffering from an ailment, and not everything they are saying, they mean it. You have to understand that.
3. What Are The Different Recovery Processes You Can Help The Individual With?
Ans. Of course, there isn’t every procedure where you can contribute. For example, personalized therapies and medical detox are a patient’s personal time.
However, there is somewhere you can join your family members and help them out with the company.
– Holistic recoveries like yoga or art therapies.
– Conferences and shows which talk about life after recovery.
– Daily exercise and meditation sessions etc.
– Daily empowering them and supporting them during mild relapse urges.
Recovery Is Possible!
If you really wish to help the patient with recovery, you have to first believe that recovery is possible.
With modern medicine improving and mental health being talked about.
Addiction is not a matter of judgment but a concern, and everyone is willing to help.