Drug and alcohol addiction is a chronic disorder that negatively impacts a person’s relationships, finances, health and employment. While addiction is often seen as a personal battle, its impact goes well beyond the addict. It also affects the person’s spouse, children, parents, siblings and extended family members.
The fact that addiction is a family disease makes it imperative that treatment plans involve the person struggling with addiction as well as their loved ones. This article discusses why addiction is a family disease, how addiction affects family relationships, how family dynamics can impact addiction treatment outcomes, and how loved ones can support the recovery process.
The Ripple Effect of Addiction on Families
How Addiction Alters Family Dynamics
Alcohol or drug addiction in the family can be extremely stressful for the immediate family and extended family. Many loved ones take on the role of caregivers only to find themselves serving as enablers, potentially hindering the person’s recovery process. This can be both emotionally and physically draining.
Ongoing drug or alcohol addiction can also lead to financial strain. As mentioned above, addiction can impact a person’s employment, resulting in lost wages. This often leads the person to borrow money from friends and family, further deteriorating relationships.
At Changing Tides, we recognize that addiction is a family disease. Changing Tides’ family therapy programs address addiction and family dynamics and help family members understand their role in the recovery process.
Emotional Impact of Addiction on Family Members
The emotional toll alone can be difficult for the entire family. It involves plenty of uncertainties, ups and downs and broken promises that can be stressful and confusing. Parents, spouses and even children can feel a sense of responsibility and guilt for their loved one’s addiction. While not as commonly talked about, this secondhand suffering can be extremely traumatic and cause numerous mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and dissociation.
The Genetic and Environmental Influence of Addiction
The Role of Genetics in Addiction
Is addiction a family disease? Studies suggest it is. Children of addicted parents are more likely to develop addiction issues themselves. The good news is that early intervention can significantly reduce your risk of addiction. Children who learn healthy coping skills when they’re young or as adolescents are less likely to struggle with addiction as they enter adulthood.
Environmental Factors
Genetics isn’t the only factor impacting the risk of addiction. Environmental factors also play a role. For instance, growing up in a household with frequent substance abuse can normalize these behaviors and influence a young person’s perception of drugs and alcohol. Other factors, such as peer relationships, traumatic events and severe stress, can also impact a person’s tendency to use drugs or alcohol. Seeking out mental health treatment for you and your children, as well as creating a stable and supportive home environment, can reduce the risk of future addiction issues.
How Families Enable Addiction (Unintentionally)
Enabling Behaviors
While usually well-intended, families can quickly develop enabling behaviors. These actions can inadvertently contribute to their loved one’s addiction. This is most common when families are in denial or feel guilty about their loved one’s addiction. Common enabling behaviors include:
- Blaming others for their loved one’s addiction
- Keeping secrets or lying to protect their loved ones
- Providing financial support
- Continuously being bailed out of jail
- Normalizing their behavior
Codependency and Addiction
It’s not uncommon for a person struggling with addiction and a family member to develop a codependent relationship. Codependent people often have low self-esteem and take on the role of rescuer as a means to make themselves feel better. They believe if they can “save” or “fix” the other person, it can increase their self-value. Breaking the cycle of codependency through mental health treatment is critical to recovery success for both the addict and family members.
The Importance of Family in the Recovery Process
Family as a Critical Support System
Studies suggest healthy family involvement can improve recovery outcomes and reduce the risk of relapse. The key word here is “healthy.” When family members focus on their own mental health and take time to learn tips for helping their loved one through this process, they can be a vital part of the recovery process. This benefit is why Changing Tides’ approach to family involvement in addiction recovery includes family support groups.
Healing Family Relationships
While addiction takes a toll on family relationships, connections can be established during recovery. In fact, rebuilding this relationship is a key component of ongoing sobriety. Although it may be difficult, reestablishing relationships requires open, honest communication. The addict must learn how to make amends for their actions, and friends and family members must find ways to forgive them while setting clear boundaries.
Resources and Support for Families Affected by Addiction
Family Therapy and Support Groups
Changing Tides offers both family therapy and support groups to help families working through the recovery process. Support groups allow you to connect with other families facing similar issues. This connection provides additional support and lets you know you’re not alone. Family therapy, on the other hand, gives you and your loved one a safe space to discuss past and current issues, helps heal broken relationships and teaches everyone how to communicate more effectively and set healthy boundaries.
Self-Care for Family Members
Chances are that you’ve spent weeks, months, or even years taking care of your loved one. Now is the time to focus on yourself. Keep in mind that you must be healthy before you can help your loved one with their recovery. Self-care strategies, such as individual counseling and support groups, provide an outlet for you to share your own stressors, concerns and issues.
Healing Together — Embracing Family Support in the Journey to Recovery
Understanding addiction as a family disease can improve recovery outcomes. It’s equally important to take the time to reflect on how this addiction impacts your life and that of your family. Take steps to get the support you and your family need to heal from this pain and move forward.
Contact Changing Tides today to learn more about our family therapy resources and addiction treatment options.
