How Family Can Help and Hurt Sobriety

Addiction is a disease that doesn’t just affect the individual alone. It radiates outward, touching the lives of friends, coworkers, peers, and, often, family. For many people, family members receive the brunt of the impact from someone struggling with drug or alcohol abuse. Addiction can cause serious strain on relationships, damaging them when they are the most needed to help in recovery. Therefore, it’s a good idea to engage in some form of family therapy or counseling when entering an addiction treatment program. This kind of therapeutic approach not only looks to heal wounds that have developed due to addiction but helps all family members learn how to be supportive in a healthy manner. At Beaches Recovery, we offer family therapy as part of our larger addiction therapy system.

Managing Your Family Relationships to Support Your Sobriety

Families are tricky. We love them, and we hate them. We need them, and we want them to leave us alone. How can we include our families in our rehabilitation process without repeating negative patterns and habits and moving toward healthier, more supportive relationships?

• Be Patient. Change takes time. Patterns and habits take a long time to develop, and they take a while to break. Be patient with your family, and ask that they be patient with you. Remember to apologize when you’re out of line and keep moving forward.
• Don’t React. Take a moment. Don’t let the frustration of the situation get the best of you. When you hear something or see something you don’t like, take a moment and allow yourself to respond appropriately.
• Pay Attention. Know what’s going on. When you recognize an unhealthy reaction or pattern: stop, assess the situation, and determine a new way to handle it. Self-awareness is the most important key to changing behavior.
• Healthy Coping. When things do get tough, find healthy hobbies that help you deal. Running, exercising, sports leagues, household hobbies, and other extra circulars are great ways to get away from your family for a little while and re-focus your attention.
• Today is Today. Don’t worry about the past. Yes, you made mistakes. Yes, your family made mistakes. But today is a new day, and you are a new you. Remember this when you recall past mistakes, or feel like you’re taking a few steps back.

Managing family relationships can be an extremely difficult part of rehabilitation, but with support and patience, these relationships can become some of the most enjoyable and instrumental in maintaining sobriety.

The Importance of Family Therapy

Substance use disorder doesn’t happen in a vacuum. To heal from it, individuals need to have a support system in place. For many, that support comes from family. When members of a family work alongside counselors and therapists to help an individual, the chances of recovery greatly increase. Also, family members can work through their own emotional and psychological issues from how addiction has impacted them. The love and support from the family can encourage a quick and effective recovery.

Embarking on the Journey to Sobriety Through Addiction Treatment

Beaches Recovery in Jacksonville, Florida (FL) can counsel you on managing your family relationships whilst you embark on your journey to sobriety. Our premier addiction treatment programs are designed for your success. Since everyone’s needs are different, we offer various addiction treatment programs that will turn your drug and alcohol addiction into a success story. We can help you turn the destructive habits and behaviors that may have spawned your drug and alcohol addiction into a story of sobriety and happiness. Don’t go on another moment being a victim of your drug and alcohol addiction. Call us today at 866.605.0532 or contact us online today!