Does Family Therapy Help in Treating Substance Abuse & Addiction?
In a This Is Us episode that aired last season, one of the protagonists, Kevin, is recommended to have his family come in for a collective counseling session as part of his alcohol addiction treatment. The result is a family confrontation nobody is quite prepared for. Things get raw and real as each family member discusses issues they had been bottling up, resulting in a cathartic experience for all of them.
While the family therapy was limited to just one episode, there’s no denying the benefits that continuous sessions can have for substance abuse treatment. Let’s take a look at some of the things that family therapy proves to be effective for.
Understanding Relationship Dynamics
One of the most common effects of addiction on the entire family is the reversal of roles and changing family dynamics. Certain family members find themselves in a caregiving position, even if the role is unfair for them and adds an extra burden.
While they may be taking up new responsibilities because of the circumstances, the person struggling with substance abuse or addiction may not even realize this. In some cases, the family members performing involuntary caregiving duties may not be cognizant of this either.
Family therapy helps all participants understand the relationship dynamics at play. It helps highlight maladaptive family patterns, the toll they take on each individual, and how they can be changed to get a positive outcome.
Rebuilding Trust between Family Members
It can be difficult to put your faith in a loved one who has deceived you. In this case, mistrust can arise when the person battling addiction lies about their condition, goes back on their promise(s) of not using the addictive substance or getting professional help, or secretly makes decisions that affect the whole family. For instance, they may spend secretly spend their savings on purchasing the addictive substance without consulting their spouse. Dishonesty is often a prominent part of substance abuse or addiction, and can create several misunderstandings.
With the whole family on board with the therapy sessions, there’s a greater chance of reestablishing trust within the family. The sessions encourage healthy conversation among the family members, which helps them be more trusting of what the other has to say.
Improving Overall Emotional Health
Addiction and substance abuse perpetuate a negative mindset among family members. They may feel resentful, angry, sad, or guilty about their loved one’s addiction, and may even become depressed. Likewise, the addicted individual’s own emotional well-being is likely to deteriorate and lead to an increase in negative emotions.
Family therapy helps counter these negative emotions and improve emotional wellness. It serves as an opportunity for family members to express their feelings candidly and resolve conflict through therapeutic strategies.
At Comprehensive Counseling Services, LLC, we offer a range of Alcohol and Drug Evaluation. These include our substance abuse counseling Winder, mental health counseling, as well as family counseling sessions.
Learn more about our services here.
