Crossroads Recovery Centre: The importance of family involvement.

Crossroads Recovery Centre: The importance of family involvement.

One of the most heart wrenching and overwhelming moments in a family’s life comes at the point when they realize that a family member is addicted, either to any form of process or substance. Be it alcohol or drugs or the more subtle yet as damaging addiction processes such as gambling, sex or even food.

Families should theoretically be the safe place where positive nurturing takes place,  however can also be the environment where self-destructive and negative  behavior,  attitudes and emotions grow, including substance abuse and addiction.

New neuro science research has confirmed that genetics as well as actions that children are exposed to, in their parents, can become patterns of behavior that will and can be very destructive to their  future growth and lives.  Some of the feelings that families feel if a loved one turns to some addictive substance or process are:

• Betrayal
• Abandonment
• Rage and anger
• Sadness and depression
• Overwhelming feelings of helplessness and hopelessness to intervene in the person’s life.

Understanding the nature of addiction and what treatment options are available begins to alleviate these feelings for family members.

The reality is that, while the harsh recognition that a loved one is addicted can be devastating, it much easier to bare and deal with when there is the support, help and understanding of specialists in the field of addiction. Substance abuse counsellors, who are usually recovering addicts themselves, can help the family cope with the effects of addiction. This often involves tools to repair broken relationships and build trust again between family members.

At Crossroads Recovery Centre we regard the disease of addiction as a holistic and systemic concern that needs to be approached in a holistic way.

In this regard we have extensive involvement with the family of the clients in a number of different ways.

• Active involvement in the admission process which helps to clarify, for and with the family, expectations centre rules and policies and future family involvement.
• A few days into the process a family counselling session with the client’s counselor.
• Every two weeks a family and friends support group is run and people are encouraged to attend.

All these activities contribute to a successful addiction recovery process.

Stories of Recovery

• The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
  Oliver VG
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• On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
  Johan B
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• I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
  Carla S
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• "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
  Angelique J
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