Is your spouse, parent, or child getting drug and alcohol treatment? You probably felt incredibly relieved when your loved one finally took that first important step toward regaining their health. Then, the questions began to unfold.
- How are you ever going to trust them again?
- Will this work, or will it be an ongoing battle for the rest of their life?
- How are you going to rebuild financially from this?
- How will you feel safe at home again?
- Will things ever be normal – and if not, can you still keep going?
Family members struggle when someone close to them is paralyzed by addiction. No one chooses addiction, and most people cannot recover from this disease without help. Yet, getting into a drug and alcohol treatment program is just the first step. The journey will continue long after treatment ends, and that’s where recovery support comes into play.
Why You Need Your Own Support
Your loved ones who battle drug and alcohol addiction need to break their addiction and then work on understanding their disease. They need to develop skills to fight triggers and tools to help them overcome relapse risks. You need to do the same thing. Here are a few key things that recovery support will provide for every member of the family.
- Education About the Disease
Addiction changes all members of a family. During recovery support, you and your family will learn about this disease: what it is, what it does to a person, and what the long-term outcome may be.
You will also learn more about the signs and symptoms of relapse and what to do if your loved one starts using again. Learning about the disease empowers you. It gives you information, answers your “why” questions, and gives you the tools to handle risky situations.
- Incentive to Work on Relationships
Family members of those with addiction need to make key decisions about their relationships. You may need time. You may decide to walk away. That’s okay. Either way, recovery support helps you remember that you are not alone–and that your emotional and mental health are just as important as your loved one’s. You may work with a therapist or be encouraged to attend a support group like Al-Anon.
If you do plan to stay in the relationship, recovery support will help provide resources to work on that relationship–and to rebuild trust. In virtually every drug and alcohol addiction scenario, someone will struggle with trust. How do you know they aren’t using? How do you know they really care?
A couples or family therapist will help you develop better communication skills, set boundaries, and address problems stemming from abuse or trauma.
- Help Setting Boundaries
Many family members who have a loved one suffering from addiction will put that person’s needs before their own. This pattern can lead to enabling and codependency.
You don’t want to support your loved one’s addiction, but you may be doing so indirectly. You may be paying their bills or handling their responsibilities. During recovery support, you’ll learn how to create clear lines in the sand to limit poor behavioral outcomes.
At The Farley Center, we know healing from drug and alcohol addiction isn’t about just one person. It’s about the whole family. Our recovery support is designed to provide guidance for each member of the immediate family. We can help you understand that this is not your fault and learn how to take back some control over the situation. Our goal is to empower you and give you the hope that you can have your life back again!
