Substance use disorders don’t only disrupt the life of the individual who is addicted. They affect everyone in that person’s family as well. The behaviors of the person who has become dependent on drugs or alcohol harm those they love. However, it’s not a one-way street. In many cases, family members behave in a way that negatively impacts the person who is addicted. Participating in family therapy for addiction treatment can help family members learn how to communicate and heal from past trauma. Contact Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306 for more information about family therapy.
Is Family Therapy for Addiction Effective?
Family therapy recognizes that the family unit is a collection of parts. When one member changes, even for the better, the other family members also begin to change.
Who qualifies as family? It is unnecessary to be related or live in the same house to be included in family therapy. Anyone the patient considers family will benefit from participating in therapy and add value to the process.
Family Therapy Defined
The term “family therapy” is broad and typically refers to a grouping of evidence-based practices designed to help the family structure. Evidence-based treatments are those that have been rigorously studied in controlled trials and are found to be effective.
One of the side effects of substance use disorder is that the person with an addiction separates themselves from loved ones who disapprove of their behavior. This is, understandably, painful for spouses, children, and others who may feel less important than drugs or alcohol. Relationships become more strained as the addiction, and its consequences, become worse. Physical violence, financial loss, and sustained emotional turmoil all related to addiction can tear a family apart.
It takes more than a single person getting into recovery to heal an unhealthy family dynamic. That’s where family therapy comes in. Restoring relationships with close friends and family members is a vital part of recovery. It helps the addicted person avoid relapse and allows others to heal old wounds.
What to Expect from a Family Therapy Program
The focus will change from the whole family dynamic to one person’s needs during family therapy sessions. Participants must agree to a code of conduct and may even need to sign a contract to show their commitment to the process.
Families gain insight into how they communicate with one another and receive techniques to improve communication if necessary. A therapist may assign family homework or goals to work on until the next session. Sessions typically last about one hour and occur weekly. Family therapy is usually only one of several detox therapies a patient might participate in at the same time. It is common to undergo individual therapy, group therapy, nutritional therapy, and other treatments simultaneously, especially in the early stages of recovery.
The Benefits of Family Therapy
Some of the benefits participants can expect to gain from a family therapy program include:
- Understanding of addiction
- Better awareness of family dynamics
- Improved communication skills
- Trust
- Constructive methods for sharing feelings inside and outside of therapy
- Ability to set and maintain healthy boundaries
- Positive self-care techniques
It is typical for the family to work with their therapist to evaluate group and individual goals as their therapy progresses.
Start Your Recovery at Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida
Has addiction impacted your family? Call Serenity House Detox & Recovery Florida at 866.294.5306 for help or learn more about detox therapies and family therapy. We offer family, group, and individual therapy services specifically for those with substance use disorders and their loved ones. With the proper support and therapies, you and your family can recover from addiction.
