Family involvement in treatment during recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) provides clients with essential support. In addition, family members often benefit from participating in the recovery process by addressing their own traumas or underlying issues. According to Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Family Therapy by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “When family members change their thinking about and responses to substance misuse, the entire family system changes.” The Redpoint Center provides family therapy and family-focused services to help clients and their loved ones heal from the effects of substance abuse.
How Does Family Involvement Impact Long-Term Recovery?
Clients going through treatment must find healthy ways to change maladaptive thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors in a short amount of time. Most clients have a lifetime’s worth of underlying issues to address during their time in treatment. Families reduce stress and help their loved ones meet recovery goals by providing nonjudgmental love and support.
Family involvement affects long-term recovery by doing the following:
- Ensuring clients feel comfortable confiding in their loved ones about recovery concerns
- Providing clients with a stronger support system
- Increasing accountability
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Providing clients with a safe space to heal and grow
Family relationships are vital to individuals in recovery. Communicating openly and honestly with loved ones about their substance misuse and treatment helps people accept their circumstances and work toward a healthier future. The Redpoint Center encourages family members to express their love in a practical way. By showing their support through actions and words, families help their loved ones feel more confident in managing their condition and moving forward in long-term recovery.
The Importance of Everyday Family Involvement in Recovery
Every day is an opportunity for clients and their loved ones to make healthier decisions. Families can significantly impact the direction and success of their loved one’s recovery. The clinical team works with clients and their families to determine how to incorporate family members into the treatment process. Each relationship is unique, and the care team considers this when developing treatment plans and goals.
Everyday family involvement in recovery may include:
- Driving loved ones to medical or therapy appointments
- Providing emotional support by actively listening to a loved one’s needs
- Holding loved ones accountable for their actions
The care team at The Redpoint Center encourages clients to strengthen relationships using family therapy and other support services. Clients direct their own recovery and can provide insights into areas where they feel practical family support would help them feel more comfortable, safe, and supported.
How Does Family Support Reduce the Risk of Relapse?
Relapse is a symptom of SUD. Preventative measures are essential to reduce the likelihood of relapse. The Redpoint Center uses relapse prevention education to help clients and their families better understand the realities of addictive behaviors. Family members may play a vital role in reducing the risk of relapse by ensuring their loved one feels supported and remains accountable for their actions.
The most common reasons for relapse during early recovery include:
- Intense cravings
- Reminders of substance misuse
- Boredom
- Emotional instability
Family members reduce the risk of relapse by helping their loved ones maintain emotional stability, reduce boredom, and cope with emotional triggers or cravings. The care team collaborates closely with clients and their families to identify problematic routines or behaviors and replace them with positive alternatives. Relapse is not inevitable. The support of loved ones reduces triggers and makes it easier for people in recovery to remain sober.
How Does The Redpoint Center Support Family Involvement?
Often, family dynamics play a role in the development of substance abuse. Addressing family conflict or other issues reduces the risk of relapse and helps all members of the family heal from the damage of SUD. The Redpoint Center offers family therapy, hosts community events for friends and family, and educates families on mental health and substance abuse. The clinicians facilitate safe and structured interactions between clients and their family members, opening up lines of communication and guiding them through developing healthier relationships. Family therapy is the most common treatment tool used to help clients and their loved ones during early recovery.
Building Healthier Relationships in Recovery
Clients are given the tools they need to strengthen relationships during early recovery. Treatment programs ensure clients develop essential social skills and learn to build stronger connections with friends and family. Therapy and other forms of treatment help families grow stronger together. According to the previously mentioned article by SAMHSA, “Family-based SUD interventions focus on encouraging clients with SUDs to initiate and sustain recovery, improving their family communication and relationships to support and sustain their recovery, and helping family members engage in self-care and their own recovery.” The Redpoint Center encourages families to work together to overcome challenges and develop healthier relationships.
Family involvement in the recovery process often helps clients feel more confident in their ability to maintain sobriety after completing treatment. However, family members may not know how to help their loved ones. The Redpoint Center offers family therapy and other family support services to help clients and their loved ones heal together. Often, underlying issues related to substance abuse and mental health disorders are caused by conflict or tension within relationships. Family therapy, support groups, and other therapeutic tools help families develop healthier dynamics. The care team encourages family members to actively participate in their loved one’s recovery during and after treatment. To learn more about The Redpoint Center, call our office today at (303) 710-8496.
