Addiction sneaks up on people. For people battling opioid addiction, it may begin as one extra pill to manage pain from an accident or injury. Soon the patient feels sick if they miss one dose of medication. While the pain has subsided, the effects of stopping the pain medication create as much or more pain as the original problem.
While a person suffers through the torturous cycle of needing more pain medication and a desire to quit taking the medication, their family watches the person they love lose interest in family, activities, work, and school.
Families respond differently to the effects of opioid addiction. Some distance themselves from the addict. Other enable the addict in an effort to hide the addiction. Arguments, dishonesty, and fear replace family relationships.
When an opioid addict seeks out treatment, many families feel a rush of relief. Finally, the addiction is being recognized, discussed and addressed. Treatment for the addicted family member isn’t the end of the addiction, but rather the beginning of a lifelong recovery. A recovery that affects all family members.
Family Therapy Benefits the Addict
While those seeking treatment need interaction with their peers in treatment, it’s also important to reconcile family relationships. Addiction often fosters distrust, anger, fear and other negative emotions between family members. Recovering addicts need the support of their family in order to continue through the hard days of temptation and cravings. Family therapy allows an addict to recognize how their addiction affected their family and what family dynamics may have enabled their addiction.
Family Therapy Benefits the Family
In addition to providing the recovering addict with a safe place to connect with their family, therapy allows all family members to discuss their goals, how the addiction has affected their lives and what reconciliation looks like for them. Burying the hurt and disappointment of watching a loved one succumb to addiction does not facilitate healing of the family. A trained family therapist can help families reconcile their emotions and find ways to provide the support a recovering addict needs in order to stay sober.
Family therapy offers encouragement and healing for families whether the person they love has sought treatment for their addiction or not. If your loved one has signs of opioid addiction, contact our behavioral health center today. Our trained counselors can assist you in dealing with the addiction of your loved one.
Speak Your Mind