What Are the Benefits of Family Engagement in Treatment?
Recovering from drug addiction isn’t a solo endeavor. While the addict needs to do the heavy lifting when it comes to addressing their substance use, support and engagement from the family are key to long-term recovery. Family engagement in treatment allows everyone to understand a loved one’s addiction and helps minimize the risk of other family members falling into the addiction trap. Ultimately, family involvement in treatment strengthens their bonds with each other and provides healthy support to a loved one in recovery.
This blog discusses the importance of family engagement in treatment and the numerous benefits of family involvement in the drug treatment process. If your loved one is struggling with substance abuse, call Adolescent Wellness Academy toll-free today. Our afterschool outpatient programs in Florida provide the tools and support needed for addicts and their families to grow and heal. Call us today!
Why is Family Engagement in Treatment Important?
Why should the family as a whole be involved in a loved one’s treatment? On the surface, drug treatment is for the addict themselves—and to a degree, that is true. However, addiction is a family disease, and for the addict to achieve lasting recovery, their family must be involved in the process. For many families, this may be a tall order because they may be hesitant to participate in a loved one’s treatment program.
Family involvement in treatment is critical to a loved one’s recovery in a number of ways. First, family programs educate both the addict and the family about addiction as a whole. Secondly, family programs in treatment help each family member understand their role in a loved one’s substance abuse. Family dynamics are often complex, and those dynamics can become volatile and dysfunctional when a family member is addicted to drugs.
It is important to note that family engagement in treatment is compassionate, non-judgmental, and focused on providing positive support. Addicts and their families learn the healthy coping skills needed to support recovery and each other. Ultimately, family involvement in drug treatment builds the foundation for the family to develop a nurturing healthy environment that supports long-term sobriety.
What Are the Benefits of Family Engagement in Treatment?
Family involvement in the drug treatment process provides both the addict and the family with tremendous benefits that will help them grow and flourish in the long run. The biggest benefits are the following:
Increased Understanding
Addiction is a complex condition, and many families have difficulty understanding a loved one’s struggles with substance abuse. When families are involved in treatment, they understand that addiction is a disease. This helps create empathy and compassion for their loved ones and helps restore and repair relationships torn apart by addiction.
Better Communication
Family engagement in treatment allows each family member to share how a loved one’s addiction has affected them in a safe and non-judgmental environment. With the help of a therapist, each family member learns to become a better listener and how to resolve conflicts head-on and in a healthy way.
Healthier Family Dynamics
Family programs in drug treatment help fix codependent behaviors and help build healthier family relationships that are based on setting and maintaining healthy boundaries. The best example of setting boundaries is refusing to give an addicted loved one money or covering for their bad behavior.
Improved Mental Health
Family engagement in treatment helps improve the mental health of each family member. The stresses of addiction are tremendous, and family members can struggle to cope with addiction. In some cases, family members may turn to substances or may even develop mental illness. Family programs provide therapy and other supportive programs that bolster mental health and help family members change unhealthy thoughts and behavior patterns.
Adolescent Wellness Academy Will Help and Heal Your Family
Addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer of lives. If your teen is struggling with addiction, your family also struggles. Don’t wait another day to get help; call Adolescent Wellness Academy (AWA) right now. We offer outpatient treatment programs that are evidence-based and specifically designed for a teen’s unique needs. Our programs and services help families heal, grow, and prosper! Call AWA today and break the vicious cycle of addiction for good.
