Substance abuse and drug addiction don’t just affect you, they affect everyone who cares about you. According to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse, the children of parents who abuse tobacco, drugs or alcohol are at a higher risk of substance abuse themselves. Breaking the cycle of addiction begins with a single decision to seek help.
Addiction as a Family Disease
Living with a loved one who is addicted to drugs or alcohol can cause significant psychological distress. Many addicts have codependent relationships with their family members, meaning there is a mutual dynamic of dysfunction and enabling that facilitates the addictive behavior. From family members who supply resources to buy drugs and alcohol to those who are unsupportive of an addict’s recovery efforts, complicated family dynamics can also present obstacles to recovery from addiction.
In order to effectively treat addiction, it is important to have your family members on board for the process, which begins with education. Family support is a crucial element to successful long-term recovery, so it is helpful to work with professionals who can facilitate communication between family members from the intervention stage to ongoing treatment.
Reliable information and treatment resources can help you and your family move forward with addiction recovery. For more information on treating substance abuse and drug addiction in a family context, contact Freedom from Addiction today.
Post Excerpt
Family dynamics play a significant role in substance abuse and drug addiction, and they can also make or break the recovery process.
