Family Support

The family may begin to depend on one spouse’s income instead of both as a result of the addicted person’s inability to keep working. It can also be difficult for spouses of struggling individuals to single-handedly meet the needs of their children. They may struggle as they try to keep a sense of normalcy in the home despite their spouse’s substance use disorder.

The children of those who are suffering from addiction often feel the negative effects of this struggle. Younger children may feel deserted or forgotten. Sadly, some suffer emotional, mental, and physical abuse at the hands of intoxicated parents. Many children who grow up in homes where there is substance misuse develop addictions later in life.

The adult children of parents who suffer from addiction may also experience some serious effects. Unfortunately, many older adults suffer from prescription misuse or dependence. Some aging individuals misuse alcohol and develop alcohol use disorders. Their children may blame themselves or feel helpless in the face of their parent’s struggles.

Sometimes, there may be a role reversal in the homes where addiction is present. Children may take on a caretaker role, looking after their struggling parents and their younger siblings. They might begin to tend to the duties and responsibilities in the home. Children of suffering individuals might even begin to make excuses for their parents’ behaviors and actions.

Sadly, many people helplessly watch as their children battle with addiction. Whether their children suffer from alcoholism, illicit drug dependence, or prescription drug misuse, parents often struggle with feelings of guilt. They may feel as though they are to blame for their child’s addiction. Some parents of struggling individuals feel stuck between showing love toward their children and helping these individuals to end substance dependence.

Finally, the siblings of suffering individuals may encounter many difficulties. Just as the parents, spouses, and children of substance users, the siblings of these individuals may take on new roles. They may become financial supporters for the individuals and/or their families. Siblings may also struggle with guilt and shame as a result of their loved ones’ addictions.

Often, people who know an individual who is suffering from addiction will show enabling characteristics. In most cases, this is unintentional; people don’t usually mean to enable the addiction of a loved one. However, these behaviors, as harmless as they may seem, can be very harmful to the struggling individual. Some examples of enabling behaviors may include:

• Giving money to the struggling individual
• Taking on the person’s financial burdens
• Buying or providing drugs or alcohol for the individual
• Ignoring or justifying the individual’s actions
• Failing to address or express your concerns
• Offering the individual a place to live (especially if they were once self-sufficient)
• Lying to friends, family members, or even employers in order to “cover” for the individual

This benefit is much like the previous one. As individuals begin to learn more about enabling behaviors, they can also start to establish healthy boundaries. Family counseling can help people to learn more about themselves. Individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their weaknesses, strengths, what overwhelms them, and what they may need throughout the healing process.

As people develop an understanding of their own boundaries, they can become more comfortable with the recovery process. It’s important for family members to take their time during this period. They should never feel as though they need to ignore or suppress their emotions. Family therapy works to help people do exactly the opposite of that.

While learning to recognize and address their feelings, families can establish their own boundaries and discuss the ways in which they can work together to facilitate healing in their lives and in the life of their recovering loved ones.

Empathy is an important component throughout the recovery process. Often, people think of addiction as a matter of choice. They think struggling individuals are simply choosing substance use over priorities such as family. But, this is far from the truth.

Those who suffer from addiction suffer from chemical dependency. Addiction is a disorder that prevents people from being able to go without substance use. So, individuals who suffer from substance dependence cannot stop using alcohol or drugs, regardless of how hard they try. This is why professional treatment is so important.

This is also why family therapy is so important. In counseling, families can learn more about the truth behind addiction. They can develop a much deeper comprehension of how addiction has impacted their loved ones. This will help families to have a better sense of understanding as they work to support their recovering family members.

Counseling for families encourages honesty, trust, and conflict resolution. All of these are important for the health of a family unit. But, each of these things can disappear when addiction is in the mix. That’s why it’s best for families to attend therapy. They can develop healthy communication skills and feel more comfortable about addressing concerns.

It is important to note that communication between non-addicted family members can also be broken as a result of one individual’s struggle with substance dependence. For example, spouses may become distant as a result of a child’s addiction. Siblings may disagree about how to address their brother’s alcoholism or their sister’s drug dependence. This can cause a rift to develop.

Thankfully, family counseling works to help mend relationships between family members. Family members can begin to make amends with one another. This will also enable families to extend that understanding and forgiveness toward the individual who is recovering from addiction.

Forgiveness is never easy, especially in situations that involve addiction. Many times, people who struggle with substance dependence do things that could bring emotional or physical pain to their loved ones. Unfortunately, abuse can occur when addiction is involved. Also, things like dishonesty and stealing might occur.

It can be difficult for people to forgive their loved ones for the hurt they may have caused. But, family therapy offers families an environment that facilitates forgiveness. Through counseling and therapy, individuals can make amends and work to rebuild trust in the recovering individual.

As we mentioned earlier, family counseling strives to help families feel free to address their emotions. While in therapy, individuals can freely express their pain and struggles. They can discuss their concerns and relieve themselves of the stress, tension, and fears they have been experiencing.

Seeing a loved one suffer from addiction can cause people to develop very deep-rooted emotional discomfort. But, family therapy works to help uncover those issues. It helps families to work through these emotions and concerns in a healthy and effective way.