Just as the whole family suffers when one member is an addict, the whole family is part of the recovery process. Without a family recovery program, family members may suffer effects that last a lifetime.
Research and our own experience tell us that the chances of successful long-term recovery increase dramatically when the family participates in the healing process. Your participation in the recovery process is imperative.
Addiction is called “a family disease” for good reason. You all are in pain. If you are reading this and finally reaching out, it is more than likely that you are at a crisis level.
The traumatization and stress caused by substance use disorders, alcoholism and addiction, can last a lifetime if the healing process does not ever begin.
In an effort to cope with this uncontrollable situation, you may have resorted to hiding the truth, avoiding genuine connection to minimize painful conversations, and feeling intense levels of guilt and shame. YOU ARE NOT ALONE.
The biggest lessons for family members come from understanding that you can’t control your loved one’s drug or alcohol addiction, but you can take responsibility for your own health and happiness.
Our Family Programs educate families about the disease of addiction and the different ways family members are affected. You will learn to :
Participation in a family program may initially bring up feelings of anxiety and stress, but we can assure you that over time, you will have a sense of relief, renewed hope, and realistic expectations about recovery.
One of the issues that many families that are dealing with substance use disorder is codependency. Codependency occurs when one family member adapts their daily routine to meet the needs of dysfunctional family members. This results in the codependent individual neglecting their own needs and putting their priorities on the back burner in order to meet the requests of another family member, oftentimes due to worrying about this family member.
Some symptoms of codependent behavior within a family unit can include:
Enabling is another common response to a family member’s addiction. While many people believe that enabling behaviors may be helpful, in reality, they aren’t. It’s important that family members of people who are living with addiction understand and redirect their enabling behaviors in order to support their loved ones in healthy ways.
Some examples of enabling behaviors can include:
Throughout the family program at Agape Wellness, families will be able to identify and work on the issues that arise as a result of addiction in the family, including codependency and enabling behaviors. When families come together to work on themselves and get the help they need, they are better equipped to support both themselves and their addicted family members.
Agape Treatment Center for substance abuse embraces a universal, unconditional love that transcends, that serves regardless of circumstances. We provide individuals all over the country with the opportunity to achieve the gift of lasting sobriety.
