When it comes to substance abuse, there are all kinds of factors that can contribute to the problem. It is wrong to assume that it is only the result of an individual; factors such as financial issues, environment and family problems can have an impact.
Because family often has a large role in an individual’s addiction, it is common that they will take part in family therapy for the good of themselves, and of an addict. Family therapy is a treatment style, which incorporates the thoughts and feelings of a group, rather than one individual.
This style of therapy is based on the idea that families share a very strong bond; when one component of the family needs help, everyone can take part to find a solution. As a growing approach to addiction, there are many benefits of family therapy in addiction treatment.
A Gained Awareness
It is not always easy for an addict to recognize that they have a problem, even if someone points it out to them. However, the effect can sometimes be different when those who are closest to an addict begin to share that fear as well.
In family therapy, members can help an addict to gain an awareness of their addiction, pointing out how the individual has changed, and why they may need help. Hearing this kind of information from family members can often have a much stronger effect than hearing it from friends or acquaintances.
Helping the Family to Evade Enabling Behaviours
Even families with the best intentions for their struggling family member may make mistakes when it comes to helping them recover. It is helpful in family therapy for families to learn about enabling behaviours, that often slow down the recovery process of an addict.
These enabling behaviours include things like waving rule breaking, bending house rules and making excuses for addicts.
Oftentimes family members feel badly for being tough on each other, and these feelings result in “going easy” on the addict. Even though these actions might make things easier, in the long-run it is important for family members to recognize these issues and to stop them immediately.
Improving the Family Connection
When a family is strong together, it is much easier to work together to help their struggling family member.
When a family is not strongly connected, they may be weaker and easier to manipulate by an addict. One of the benefits of family therapy in addiction treatment is allowing everyone to talk about their feelings and fears, and to face them all head-on in a controlled conversation.
When a family is able to solve underlying issues, the result is a much stronger bond that can help everyone to get through an addiction.
Permitting Self-Care Needs
It is common for an addict’s family and friends to go through their own struggles during an individual’s addiction journey. It can be very hard to watch a loved one struggle with drugs or alcohol, and it often puts a lot of weight on the shoulders of others.
In saying that, it is important during family therapy to talk about self-care. That means encouraging family members to seek their own necessary treatments, to take care of themselves and to maintain their own sobriety and happiness.
This is not always made a priority; family therapy can highlight the importance of a family maintaining their own health and happiness.
The benefits of family therapy in addiction treatment cannot be overstated. As some of the closest people to an addict, family members should consider this kind of treatment to encourage solidarity and a healthy home for everyone.