Two of the root causes of addiction include unhealthy relationships and family issues. Recovery from addiction is impossible without dealing with issues that could hamper complete rehabilitation. For many people going through addiction treatment, the participation of loved ones is one of the many important benefits of family therapy.
Who Can Benefit from a Family Therapy Program?
The actions and issues stemming from a mental illness or a struggle with addiction affect not only the individual but the family as well.
A family therapy program can benefit all members of the family in dealing with the physical and emotional toll the results form substance abuse issues.
Through the identification of crucial family structures and the effects of drug abuse concerning members of the family, a family therapy program can be beneficial for children, siblings, spouses, and parents.
Children and spouses of those with addiction issues can develop critical coping strategies. Parental roles often fall on the spouses, and those that are exposed to drug or alcohol abuse usually are in need of therapy.
Blended families often feature further difficulties when dealing with addiction that include stability and integration complications.
The Benefits of Family Therapy
Family therapy can be extremely beneficial. Contrary to popular belief, family therapy doesn’t necessarily mean the entire family is dealing with important issues. As long as one individual is struggling, the whole family is often experiencing adverse effects. As a result, there are many compelling benefits of family therapy, including:
- Providing important support: An individual no matter how strong needs their family in times of crisis. An effective treatment center not only realizes this and tries to give them the love, understanding, and support that is needed, but also the family being present helps to make things easier for all parties involved.
- Helping with dual-diagnosis treatment: A dual-diagnosis program is where treatment is not only focused on the issues that one is currently facing, but also the causes of these issues. And more often than not, it usually has to do with family background, upbringing, or past trauma. When the family is present for addiction therapy, these issues are usually far easier to tackle.
- Repairing family relationships: Addiction often creates problems in communicating effectively with those closest to us. Many people battling addiction issues or serious mental health conditions may even go so far as to cut ties entirely with their family and friends. Communication is comprised of talking and listening. But through family therapy, it is important that family members understand how to care for those suffering from addiction and learning how to communicate effectively throughout the recovery process.
- Enhancing self-awareness: When someone is facing a problem with addiction, it is easy for them to lose their self-awareness. Anyone in this situation can become oblivious to their behaviors and needs which can result in being inattentive to themselves and those around them. Becoming aware of your actions and needs encourages self-control. So knowing yourself is an important area for development in your successful recovery. This is one of the most important benefits of family therapy.
- Preventing relapse: Someone who has freed themselves from substance abuse may experience urges to relapse. But succumbing to these urges poses a threat to your health and having to repeat the recovery process. But addiction therapy can help.
Being aware of common relapse triggers is important to sustain your positive lifestyle. Discussing these issues with family members can be extremely effective in maintaining abstinence. And being informed of the cycle of addiction benefits the person struggling with addiction as well as the family as a whole.
Find Family Therapy at Georgia Addiction Treatment Center
When you or a loved one has become dependent on alcohol or drugs, you might get overwhelmed by feelings of helplessness. But recovery is possible once you decide to seek treatment. The benefits of family therapy can be truly life-changing to someone suffering from addiction as well as their loved ones. Call Georgia Addiction Treatment Center at [Direct] for information on how we can help you today.
