Having a loved one with a drug or alcohol problem rarely brings out the best in families. It’s natural to feel angry or resentful at your loved one for putting you through this, but it’s crucial that you understand your role in their recovery. Family roles can be complex, but when you work with the right treatment center, you can create a strong support system that is conducive to recovery.
Let’s take a look at the role of family in addiction recovery.
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Reinforce the Family Connection
Addiction takes a toll on a family. It starts by impacting the individual, their mood, and the way they treat others in the family. Over time, the addiction can create financial troubles and strain between parents and other siblings in the home. For instance, a mother may try to cover up her son’s actions by giving him money and making excuses, which damages the relationship between her and her husband. By working together as a family unit, each member can relearn their roles and reinforce the family connection.
Show Your Loved One They are Worthy of Love
Going through a recovery program will be a life-changing experience for your loved one. As they work through feelings of guilt, shame and depression, they will need to be reminded that they are worthy of love. Your love. By showing your family member that you stand by their recovery, you can speed up the healing process.
Help to Ensure that Appointments are Kept
When your loved one returns home from treatment, it’s important that they stick to their continuing care plan. This individualized plan is created by the counselors at their treatment center and will include recommendations on how to reduce relapse and transition into the real world. Get familiar with this plan so that you can play an active role in your loved one’s recovery. You can help make sure that they keep their appointments, follow their schedule and practice healthy habits.
Demonstrate Patience and Understanding
Families aren’t perfect. What makes a family different from other relationships is that they stand by each other through thick and thin. Addiction is a tremendous hurdle, but it’s one that you can overcome when your loved one commits to treatment. Demonstrating patience and understanding without criticism allows your loved ones to be more comfortable in their recovery. They won’t feel as pressured to succeed and will instead take the more natural approach, which is to live one day at a time.
The River Source is a holistic treatment center that offers individual, group, and family counseling. We also provide alternative treatments such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and biofeedback. Call our treatment center to learn more.
