It is often said about the addiction that it is a “family issue” because it takes everyone who reside in its same vicinity hostage. Addiction takes over the entire family, stealing all the oxygen, even from those who are not addicted. In this environment of dysfunctional patterns develop in the relatives of a substance abuser who in many cases exhibit their own learned and inappropriate and destructive behaviors.
Often what on the surface looks like absent or unhealthy boundary with the person is an even more complex manifestation of unhealthy interaction experienced in the upbringing of a family member be it a parent or guardian.
Addiction in often linked to genetics wherein the psychology of addiction, specifically that in where children of addicted or alcoholic families is concerned. Addiction issues become a almost learned behaviours that ultimately pass poor behaviours through generational upbringing and family norms.
To finally break the power of these destructive patterns family therapy enables relatives to understand their role in the enablement and disablement of these many behaviours. Learning to resolve past issues and set new and healthy boundaries for everyone involved in the process.
From the addict’s perspective is the process where the whole family gets help to break the cycle of avoidance and begins to learn a new and healthy line of communication; This managed articulation of the problem with the right guidance creates an awareness of the addiction’s nature and everyone’s behavior in the often long-standing abuses that have taken place and perpetuate the cycle.
Some of this is about how best to ensure against inappropriate relapse, and what to do if they occur. Another very important lesson, the relatives must learn is that it is actually both are perfectly OK and even imperative that they say no to it that rightfully are violations of their lives and “space”.
To do this in ways where the person actually listen and respond appropriately, is an implicit part of the “curriculum” in the relatives’ awareness raising process.
During the patient’s primary residential care, family members are invited to Family Week at the clinic. The intention is that the family should learn about the driving issues and be able to get ahead in life without “interference” of the patient.
Family therapy is part of the family, not the patient.
It’s nice that the patient comes home clean, but after the detox and rehab run actual long term recovery faces many challenges outside the boundaries of the rehab centre and this is where family support and guidance plays a vital role.
In the family weeks teaches a lot about the issues, being relatives and much of what you can and should do and just as important – should not do.
Family group supervised by family and the week consists of group therapy, work assignments, lectures and confrontation with patients. One of the successes the company of other family members throughout the week.
Feedback from the families who participate include “everyone should have such a week in their lives, regardless of whether they have substance abuse in the family,” “I was terrified before I came, but now I only regret that I did not do it earlier “and” the most important week in my life.” If you need a doctor’s certificate to carry out family week, this must be arranged with your GP.
The families accommodated in the family house and the only cost for the week’s stay is a very modest cost contribution for food during the week.
Recovery Direct operates the best Family Treatment Programme that has a an outpatient and inpatient facility to provide intensive work for the entire family in beating addiction related issues.