Here’s a question about drug and alcohol addiction. Would we, as a society, care as much about addiction if the amount of collateral damage it created was minimal? Of course, sadly, the answer is likely no. However, the reality is there’s always collateral damage that follows addiction wherever it goes. In fact, the collateral damage caused by addiction is extremely evident in the case of families. Because addiction affects every member of the family, it’s fair to say that addiction is a family disease. It has a profound effect on the family and also usually requires the family’s help for resolution.
Addiction Is a Family Disease – The Effects
It’s not easy for family and friends to witness a loved one going through the cycle of addiction. In some cases, family members aren’t even aware it’s happening. However, the fact remains that a person’s addiction affects family and friends in one of three ways.
First, it turns some family members into enablers. These are the people that will provide money for drugs if their addicted loved one is suffering from withdrawal symptoms. Then, you have the family members that suffer victimization at the hands of the loved one struggling with the addiction. It might be in the form of stolen money or, in extreme cases, physical injury. Finally, there’s the group of family members that watch their family relationships disintegrate and walk away.
Family Roles in Addiction and Recovery
If addiction is a family disease, it makes sense that family members have a role in both causes and solutions. As for causes, there are family dynamics that can create tremendous stress and depression. For example, a sudden death in the family can send someone reeling. There’s plenty of ways family issues can create a desire to abuse drugs or alcohol.
Regardless of the family’s involvement in the causes of the addiction, their role in recovery is vital. Without family support and understanding, recovery is going to be tenuous for many people.
At the core of most family issues is either one or both of two things: a misunderstanding about the roles of family members and a lack of communication. At Sunflower Wellness Retreat, we use our family therapy program in Kansas City, KS to address such problems. We discuss the family roles in addiction and recovery and work on interactions. That includes using exercises to improve communication within the family unit.
Looking to Sunflower Wellness Retreat for Recovery
For residents in the Midwest, Sunflower Wellness Retreat strives to create recovery solutions for adults struggling with addiction. We also address co-occurring mental health disorders through our dual diagnosis treatment program. Our efforts revolve around our use of modern addiction treatment options that are bringing back great results. For a better understanding of what we do, look at this partial list of our services:
- Inpatient residential care – primary and extended care
- Partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient options
- Mental health treatment services
- Psychotherapy – evidence-based therapies
- Trauma therapy
- Relapse prevention techniques
No matter how much your family unit is hurting, everything has the potential for resolution. It’s incumbent on you, the addiction sufferer, to get help and start healing your relationships. Yes, addiction is a family disease, and Sunflower Wellness Retreat has the medicine. To start your recovery process, call 855.730.8825 today.
