Addiction is often called the family disease, due to having just as much of an effect on the family of the addict, as the addict themselves. When a loved one is suffering from addiction, the family experiences a lot of upheaval and stress. Although everyone wants to help the individual recover, they may have no idea how to do so. Multiple things may have been tried in the past and did not change the situation much or for long. Because of this our program often has what are called family workshops in conjunction with addiction therapy to help provide the resources, methods, and tools necessary to truly support the addicted person and help them in the best way possible.
Recovery from addiction is more likely when there is a caring support network in place. Family workshops help create the best possible outcome by engaging the family or close friends in the process. As the person in recovery gets treatment and counseling as necessary, the family can attend these workshops and learn effective communication methods, setting boundaries, aftercare techniques, and spot signs of relapses.
If drug or alcohol addiction runs in your family, it’s not uncommon to ask, “Is addiction genetic?”
To answer this question, we first need to understand what addiction is. Addiction is a mental disorder that affects the brain and body. It is characterized by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli despite negative consequences.
The dopamine system in the human brain has been shown to be involved with addiction. This system releases a chemical called dopamine when certain activities are rewarding and it helps in triggering addictive behaviors. There have been several studies that show that genetics play a key role in addiction, which may help explain why some people are more at risk of developing an addiction than others.
With the opioid epidemic, lots of people are now questioning whether or not they are at higher risk of addiction. The reality is that addiction can be hereditary, but most cases of addiction in family members actually result from environmental factors, such as stress or trauma.
Addiction can be treated with family therapy, or other effective addiction treatment programs. There’s no easy way to recover from addiction. Issues with family can be closely tied to substance abuse disorders. Rehab centers provide a non-judgmental environment for family therapy sessions to take place without things becoming hostile.
Family therapy benefits vary depending on the kind of therapy used, with some therapies being more effective than others. The benefits of family therapy can include a reduction in domestic violence and substance abuse, plus greater knowledge of family members’ needs.
Other major benefits of family therapy include:
- Improved communication between the members of the family
- Reduced stress levels
- Improved quality of life for all members of the family
- Helping children develop healthy self-esteem and coping skills
- Reducing the risk of children developing mental health issues later in life
- Improving the quality of parent-child relationships
For those who are recuperating from an addiction or mental health disorder, family therapy is highly recommended as it can provide a sense of belonging that has been missing for so long. In fact, successful addiction treatment and family therapy go hand in hand. It can help reestablish the foundation of communication with loved ones, help establish new and healthier relationships, and ultimately provide a form of stability that many in recovery have been seeking out.
As you can see, there are multiple benefits to receiving family therapy. Browse our family therapy program by clicking here. You will find that our staff is always on hand to answer any questions, concerns, or questions you may have regarding our family therapy department.
It all starts with education about addiction and what contributes to its continuation. Explanations of alcoholism or drug addiction as a disease are made. A period of discovery about what traumatic events or circumstances may have led to alcoholism comes next. This can include some rather painful discussions, and an openness and willingness to help are required for maximum progress.
Family workshops do not exist to place blame or go over past problems. The goals include:
- Forging new Boundaries
- Stronger family bonds.
- Protecting long-suffering loved ones from the negative behaviors and situations that drug or alcohol abuse can bring.
- Creating an after-recovery process that works for everyone.
Our goal with these workshops is complete recovery and no relapses so clients can live happy, healthy, fulfilling lives. While individual addiction therapy makes a tremendous difference, getting the whole family involved makes a positive outcome much more likely.
It’s essential to know what signs to look out for in order to determine if your family is in need of family therapy. Becoming more aware of your family’s behaviors and attitudes can help you identify the signs of needing family therapy. The signs of needing family therapy are similar to those of needing other forms of therapy such as individual or couples therapy. Signs of needing family therapy are:
- Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, withdrawal from social life, or increased use of drugs and alcohol.
- Family members may be feeling angry or frustrated that the person is not functioning well enough to help them with their own lives.
- Family members may be feeling shame and guilt related to the person’s addiction and abuse.
- Family members may feel like they are going through a lot of stress due to the person’s addiction and abuse.
- Family members may be blaming themselves for not being able to help the person get well and asking forgiveness.
Families have always been an integral part of who we are and how we function as individuals. However, it is not always easy to know when your family has gone too far. We are often so busy and focused on our individual lives that we fail to see the signs of needing possible family therapy sessions.
If you’re having problems with your family, it’s best to get some professional help sooner rather than later because the longer the issue goes on, the worse it will be for everyone involved. The following are some factors to consider when deciding if family therapy is right for you:
- Age of your children: Children under the age of five generally don’t require extensive therapy sessions because they have fewer developmental issues and less complex interpersonal relationships than older children or adults.
- How much time you can commit to family therapy: If you are unable to commit time to family therapy sessions then individual counseling may be more effective in helping you address your issue.
Family therapy is a continuous, tricky process in which family members work together to identify and change problems in their relationships. It does not only focus on the individual but also on the family unit as a whole. At WellOne Recovery Center, we provide families with a variety of different services including individual counseling, couples counseling, and family therapy programs.
Family is all we have at the end of the day, which is why it’s important to keep your family together — no matter what it takes. We offer the best family therapy programs in Huntington Beach. These specific programs are designed to help families heal from any issues that are causing them grief, such as divorce, family violence, or drug/alcohol addiction.
We will listen and help you come up with solutions for your family. We understand that a family must be a cohesive unit and we will do everything in our power to ensure your family can resolve conflict, explore difficult topics, and work towards self-awareness. If your family is experiencing a crisis, contact us today to start the path towards healing and understanding.
The Well Recovery Center works with most major insurance providers to help cover many of the costs associated with treatment at our family program in Orange County. We understand the unique needs a family unit has when a loved one is addicted.
Contact our caring admissions team 24/7 to learn more about our detox program and how we can help you or a loved one begin the journey to long-term sustainable recovery today.
