Addiction doesn’t just impact the individual suffering from it; it affects the entire family.
Family members must seek support and education to help both themselves and their loved ones.
Here’s a guide to understanding and managing these challenges.
Prevalence and Impact
Addiction is a widespread issue. According to the Federal Reserve Board’s Economic Well-being of U.S. Households annual report, 1 in 5 Americans now personally know someone who has suffered from opioid use disorder.
Additionally, at least 25% of the population belongs to a family affected by an addiction disorder in a first-degree relative. The data also suggests that up to 90% of individuals with substance use disorder live at home with a family or significant other.
Stigma and Emotional Challenges
Substance use disorder is one of the most stigmatized health conditions in the world.
It can have a significant emotional toll on not only the individual suffering but the entire family unit as well. Families may face various issues, including financial difficulties, joblessness, marital problems, and more.
Family members often feel guilt, embarrassment, and shame. It’s important to address these feelings and seek support. Without external support, it can be common to employ defense mechanisms such as isolation, making excuses for behavior, or even denying that there is a problem.
Supportive Measures
Peer Support
Connecting with peer support groups can reduce stress and improve coping skills.
Groups such as Al-Anon, Alateen, Nar-Anon, SMART Recovery Family & Friends, and Learn to Cope provide valuable support and resources for families.
These groups offer a community of individuals who share similar experiences, creating a network of understanding and empathy. They also provide practical advice and have been associated with increasing well-being and quality of life.
Individual Therapy
Therapy can help parents and family members cope with their own emotions and challenges. Professional guidance is beneficial for personal well-being and better support for the affected other.
Therapists can offer strategies for dealing with stress, improving communication, and setting healthy boundaries. They can also help family members process their feelings and develop a plan for supporting their loved one’s recovery.
Training and Education
Education and training can empower family members in their own lives, and help them support loved ones who are in treatment and engaging in recovery. Educating yourself about substance use disorder, its risk factors, treatment options, and how to set boundaries is crucial.
Resources such as the Recovery Research Institute’s Recovery Bulletin and The Addictionary offer valuable information and non-stigmatizing language to improve communication and provide better support.
In addition, training in administering Narcan (Naloxone), an opioid overdose reversal medication, can save lives.
Understanding how to use it is vital for families affected by opioid addiction. Narcan can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, providing critical time to seek emergency medical assistance.
Training in its use is often available through local health departments, community organizations, or online resources.
Self-Care
Self-care is essential for maintaining mental and emotional health. It helps replenish emotional reserves and provides the strength needed to face challenges. Without adequate self-care, family members can experience burnout, which makes it harder to support their loved ones.
Self-care activities can be broken down into five main categories:
- Sensory: Activities that draw one into the present moment through any of the five senses. This can be as simple as smelling a scented candle or holding an animal.
- Emotional: Activities that allow one to work through both negative and positive emotions constructively. Many individuals journal or attend music or art therapy.
- Physical: Activities that engage and exert the physical body to release energy and stress. This includes walking in the woods or attending a yoga or CrossFit class.
- Spiritual: Activities that get one in touch with core values and a deeper sense of what really matters. Meditation and eco-spirituality are two potential activities to try.
- Social: Activities that allow one to connect with others and maintain a sense of shared human experience. Spend some time with a friend or attend an event outside of the home.
Measures to Support a Loved One
Boundary Setting Establishing clear boundaries helps protect family members and supports the recovery process.
Examples include prohibiting substances in the house and not lending money.
Boundaries create a safer environment and reduce opportunities for substance use.
They also help family members maintain their well-being by preventing situations that could lead to stress or conflict.
Limiting Triggers
Managing re-exposure, environmental and stress triggers can help prevent relapse.
Family harmony and positive conflict resolution are key.
For instance, avoiding places associated with past substance use or addressing sources of family tension can support recovery.
Encouraging healthy activities and creating a stable, supportive home environment are also important.
Family Integration and Therapy
Involving family in therapy improves outcomes for both
the patient and the family. Family therapy addresses the interdependent nature of
relationships and helps develop constructive strategies. It can involve sessions where the whole family works together to improve communication, resolve conflicts, and support each other.
Programs that include family education and counseling have been shown to increase treatment success and help maintain recovery over time.
Intervention Approaches
Interventions can be traditional or motivational. The Community
Reinforcement and Family Training (CRAFT) approach is particularly effective, using encouragement and motivation to inspire the loved one to seek treatment.
Unlike confrontational interventions, CRAFT focuses on positive reinforcement and collaborative problem-solving. It teaches family members how to communicate effectively,
encourages treatment, and supports recovery efforts without creating resistance or conflict.
Just keep in mind that addiction affects the whole family, and it’s important for family members to seek support, educate themselves, and practice self-care, too.
By understanding the challenges and utilizing available resources, families can better support their loved ones and themselves through the recovery journey.
For more helpful tips and information, visit recoveryanswers.org.
