30 Oct How To Rebuild Family Relationships After Addiction Treatment?
Addiction not only affects individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) but tends to affect their environment as well. For example, many men who go through addiction treatment have strained relationships with their loved ones. The personality traits linked with addiction can be challenging for everyone involved. Certain behaviors can be hurtful to loved ones who may not be educated enough on SUD to thoroughly understand those behaviors. After treatment, men who try to repair their relationships with friends and family members often face rejection. This can be difficult. This type of therapy can help individuals communicate effectively, establish a foundation of trust, and become more prepared to solve future conflicts.
Life Before Treatment
Certain substances such as drugs or alcohol can be extremely addictive. Addiction and co-occurring mental health conditions can consume a person’s life if left untreated. Cravings can be a serious distraction for someone who is highly addicted. A person with SUD may even avoid attending certain events with friends or family, stop pursuing hobbies, or pass up beneficial opportunities in order to use drugs or alcohol.
Depending on the severity of the individual’s condition, they may make hurtful sacrifices to get their hands on the addictive substance. This can cause severe conflict in relationships with friends or family. Sometimes, families do not want to be involved in their loved one’s life because they don’t want to see them suffer.
Characteristics of a Person With Substance Use Disorder
As stated by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a person dependent on drugs or alcohol may experience mental, physical, and spiritual effects. One may feel that their addiction is central to their everyday life. Addiction can be a vicious cycle of using, misusing, and abusing drugs or alcohol. Often a person needs to increase their dosage to achieve the pleasurable effects. Additionally, even when one tries to stop, relapses are common.
Addiction is a chronic brain disease that can gradually worsen if left untreated. Although SUD cannot be truly cured, abstinence can be maintained with the help of a variety of resources.
A person with SUD may present several different characteristics. These may include:
- Personality changes
- Changes in social groups
- Increased need for freedom and autonomy
- Disinterest in former activities not related to substance use
- Unemployment
- Denial
- Lying and deceit
- Stealing
- Violence
- Continuation despite negative consequences
Rebuilding Family Relationships
The behavioral changes associated with SUD can cause physical, economic, psychological, and social problems in one’s life. Although it can be challenging to repair past mistakes, it is possible to mend these relationships. Recognizing negative personality traits and changing certain behaviors can improve current and future connections with others. Equally importantly, letting go of anger and pursuing professional treatment can help with rebuilding family relationships.
As stated before, family therapy can help with rebuilding family relationships after treatment. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), family therapy can assist families encountering problems with SUD in several unique ways. Families often share specific personality traits. Therefore, these traits are often addressed in treatment.
Family therapy can teach every member of the family how their negative behaviors may contribute to their loved one’s substance abuse and mental health condition. They can also learn effective ways to support and be a positive influence on their loved one who is facing challenges with SUD. Family therapy can promote problem-solving skills and a better perspective on family dynamics. Treatment can build empathy and a better understanding of each other. This leads to less conflict.
How To Rebuild Family Relationships
Finding the right facility to help in rebuilding family relationships can sometimes be difficult. It can be wise to take the time to find a center that is close to home. Many people choose to call a few different treatment centers to get a strong feeling for the environment and services provided. Touring a facility and meeting the director can help family members put their minds at ease and assist them in making the right decision in moving forward. Choosing a treatment facility that tailors their services to the family’s specific needs can ensure a more successful outcome.
Committing to treatment together and using the tools learned in therapy can help families manage challenges with grace. Certain conflicts in the family will improve over time. With consistent effort on all sides, family therapy can help promote a more stable environment for everyone involved.