The role of family in addiction recovery is both large and broad. For many in recovery, the support of family is critical to them achieving and maintaining sobriety.
The disease of addiction throws the family ecosystem out of balance. Spouses, children, and other loved ones are often the unintended victims of a person’s addiction and can fall into certain family roles of addiction. On the other hand, families can make a huge difference in their loved one’s recovery. Here you’ll learn why addiction is often called a family disease and how you can support your loved one in their recovery.
Family can be defined in many ways. When we talk about family, we don’t always mean the traditional nuclear family (mother, father, children).
Family can include the extended family (grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, etc.) It can also include individuals who are not biological family members but chosen family, e.g., godparents or close friends that serve as chosen family.
Take Control of Your Recovery Journey
At Crossroads Recovery Centre, we offer personalised programs to help you maintain your sobriety and navigate life’s challenges. Whether you’re in Johannesburg or Pretoria, we’re here to support you on your recovery journey. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive addiction treatment services and how we can help you stay on track.
Supportive Sobriety Programs in Johannesburg and Pretoria
The involvement of family members in routine addiction treatment has been documented as important for two important and inter-related reasons. First, as mentioned previously, families are negatively affected, and family-focused services can help reduce the harm to individual family members and to the entire family unit.
A second compelling reason for involving families in addiction treatment is that family involvement increases treatment entry, enhances treatment completion, and is also linked with better treatment outcomes for the individual coping with the addiction.
This is relevant when because only 20% (or fewer) of individuals with substance use disorders seek treatment, and among problem gambling individuals only 3%–6% seek professional treatment. Among those who receive treatment, approximately 50% drop out of treatment and treatment completion is one of the factors most closely associated with positive treatment outcomes.
Reach out to Crossroads Recovery Centre in Johannesburg and Pretoria for family support zoom meetings and guidance in addiction recovery.
Rebuilding Relationships: Tips for Family Support
- The family needs to hold the addict accountable for their behaviour without enabling destructive behaviours.
- Family members may attend support groups with their loved ones.
- It is also vital for family members to attend their own support groups for families of addicts.
- The family can provide love, understanding and stability to provide certainty for the addicts.
- The family needs to accept that addiction is a disease and the addict would benefit from their help.
- The family needs to show unconditional love to the recovering addict.
- Addiction recovery is a long process which requires patience and encouragement and let them know that you believe in them.
- The family also needs to get the recovering addict the help that they need like counselling or attending support meetings.
- The families also need to attend family support interventions or groups.
- The most important tip for building relationships in addiction recovery is that the family do not blame themselves and to know that addiction is not a spectator disease but it requires action from both parties.
Finally creating a supportive and understanding environment is important as this fosters a sense of safety and acceptance for the addict in recovery. The family needs to establish healthy boundaries and clear expectations.
For more tips on rebuilding relationships in addiction recovery, it is vital to contact Crossroads Recovery Centres in Johannesburg and Pretoria as we offer family support zoom meetings online.
