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The Value Of Family Involvement In Addiction Recovery

The Value Of Family Involvement In Addiction RecoveryAddiction can be an isolating disease. You may be tempted to go through the path of recovery alone, but it can be difficult to navigate.

When you’re in the deepest throes of your addiction, it may be nearly impossible to self-regulate and be your own accountability partner.

As difficult as it might be to swallow, recovery from addiction requires support, may it be from your recovery group, friends, or family. Family involvement can be extremely helpful towards your recovery. It’s beneficial to have people you trust hold your hand as you move towards a clean or sober life.

If you need support to overcome alcohol addiction, read on for more about the importance of family support in addiction recovery.

I’m writing this article because I am a bestselling author with about 2 million books sold globally.  Plus I founded a groundbreaking video course called The Anxiety Cure.

I love sharing insights and strategies to help people to overcome their challenges.

With this in mind I put together this quick guide on the value of family involvement in recovering from addiction.

The Impact Of Addiction To Family Life

You may have seen how addiction has affected your entire family, which may have ruined relationships with your loved ones. This is difficult on both ends—yours and theirs. Addiction is a heavily debilitating disease, and it’s painful to see someone close to you struggling with it.

Each person is different. And each family member can react differently. It’s common for family members to act distant and disappointed. Or feel pity toward you. Reactions like these may impede your recovery. But if you have someone in your family who’s non-judgmental, supportive, and nurturing, this can be the person you can trust to accompany you on your path to recovery.

Remember that having these traits doesn’t mean that specific person needs to be in denial about the reality of your condition. In fact, the opposite is true. The best supporters you have in this journey are those who are fully cognizant of your current state and will stay honest with you along the way.

Of course, it’s still you who must decide that you want to recover from addiction. No person—family member or otherwise—can force you to heal when it isn’t something you want for yourself. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to be alone or that you are alone.

The Value of Family Involvement in Addiction Recovery

Addiction recovery is a humbling path that enables you to look closely within yourself to live a better life. This can be one of the most difficult self-duties you’ll have to fulfill, which is why having someone by your side can help you stay on track and avoid relapse.

If you’re still in doubt, here are multiple ways family involvement can be beneficial in your addiction recovery:

  • They Can Help You Get The Support You Need

You may have decided you want to recover from addiction but do not know where to begin. This is perfectly normal and isn’t something you should be afraid of. You shouldn’t be intimidated, either.

Your family can help you access your needed resources. This may be by setting an appointment with a mental health professional, finding local support groups on your behalf, or checking you in a recovery center like Jackson House Rehab.

  • Your family members can also accompany you to your first appointment with your therapist or counselor. This will decrease the anxiety and fear you may feel.
  • They’ll also be the primary contact person if you choose to stay in a recovery center and can visit you to give their moral support.

Getting the proper help may sound fairly simple, but this is a step you shouldn’t underestimate. While your family can help you, they’re most likely not qualified to provide you with all the support you need. It can also take a personal toll on them, which isn’t ideal for either of your situations.

  • They Can Help You With Your Basic Needs

Addiction may end up costing you your job. The unfortunate reality is that your employers may see you as a liability. Even if you didn’t admit to substance abuse, your colleagues or superiors might still see some warning signs.

In cases like these, you may risk losing your home, being unable to pay rent, or buying your own groceries. This can be a humiliating situation, and you may not know where to go. However, if you’ve got family willing to help you, they may be able to give you some assistance while you get your life back on track.

For instance…

  • They can help you with groceries or bills. This can go a long way if you have no regular income or way of making ends meet.
  • If you find yourself in a situation where you have no place to stay, some of your family members may allow you to stay with them temporarily.

Unfortunately, hitting rock bottom and not having your basic needs met can lead you further into your addiction. But if you have family willing to help you, this can ease one of your burdens, allowing you to focus on your addiction recovery.

  • They Can Help You Set Boundaries

It’s not uncommon for those struggling with addiction to struggle with setting or respecting boundaries. However, learning to set boundaries is essential, especially as you learn how to live a clean or sober life. 

This is especially important if your family dynamics are affected by addiction. Setting boundaries—and respecting them—is a great way to reset your relationship while simultaneously building healthier roots for everyone around.

If your family is assisting you in getting your basic needs met, this can be a great start in boundary-setting.

For instance…

  • Some family members may only offer to assist you in exchange for your promise of recovery. This is, of course, a bargain. But you can see this as additional motivation to recover.

Remember that boundaries aren’t just physical but also emotional.

  • Some family members may be unable to listen to you or help you immediately. But this shouldn’t be taken against them.

They, too, may be struggling along with you and can’t provide you with the emotional support you need all of the time. In this situation, it’s paramount that both parties know how to respect each other’s limits.

  • They Can Keep You In Check

The path toward recovery isn’t linear. You may be tempted to relapse or feel as though you’re falling behind in your treatment. In situations like these, it’s helpful to have someone around who can tell you the truth, even if it may be a little harsh.

Your recovery should have honesty at the forefront, as denying the reality of your situation may only hinder you.

  • The truth can hurt. But sometimes it’s what you need to hear. It may sting, but the people who have your recovery and well-being in mind will tell you when they think it’s at risk.
  • Meanwhile, those who will only tell you what you want to hear may only be enablers to your addiction.

However, you shouldn’t see this as something entirely harsh. You may be at a point in your recovery where you feel like you’re failing when the opposite is true. The family members who have had access to your recovery will reassure you when you are currently doubting yourself.

  • They Will Be Your Cheerleader

As mentioned, your family members can reassure you and perhaps give you the validation you need. However, even when it isn’t verbal, their very presence is a great act of support by itself.

When going through addiction recovery, it may be difficult for you to believe in yourself and see the fruits of your efforts. That doesn’t mean it isn’t visible to others. Genuine supporters of your recovery will hold your hand the whole way through and not jump ship when things get difficult.

They will see how much your recovery means to you and will help you meet your ultimate goal. Not only that, but they can give you a glimpse of what life free from substance abuse is like.

  • You may be reintroduced to old interests you had as a child or create new ones.
  • Or you may join in new activities you never thought you’d do, like sports or painting.

They can remind you of who you once were before your addiction, allowing you to reconcile with your past as you reconstruct yourself from the ashes of your disease. The journey to addiction recovery is difficult, but with the right people by your side, hope is always nearby.

Conclusion

Admitting that you need help or support—especially from your family—is an act of courage, and you shouldn’t interpret it as a sign of weakness. It’s perfectly fine not to know where to go or where to start. With the help of your family, you can establish your path towards recovery.

Recovery is a lifelong journey. The day you choose to be clean or sober is only the beginning. Thus, it’s highly likely that you’ll encounter detours and temptations along the way. Remember that addiction can be blinding, and you may fail to see things as they are. Having your family by your side can keep you accountable, all while supporting you the whole way.

Thus, you shouldn’t underestimate the value of your family’s involvement in your journey. It’s normal to see them as intrusive initially, but as you move along in your recovery, you’ll discover that they have your best interests at heart. 

Involving your family in your addiction recovery only shows how truly dedicated you are toward healing, which is something that can pay off in the long run. As you go further in your path, each day you spend substance-free is an achievement of great courage, strength, and humility.

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