Family Addiction Support is Needed Now More Than Ever

Covid-19 created the perfect storm to unravel an overworked system trying to deal with already potent opioid crisis. While gains have been made in the last five years, they were all erased in 2020 with the arrival of Coronavirus from China. In one moment, isolation and quarantining became the new norm, which is the last thing a recovering addict needs to maintain their sobriety. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, over 81,000 American lives were lost to drug overdose in a 12-month period that is inclusive of the Covid-19 pandemic: a 15% increase over 2019.

During this time, access to 12-step support  (including Al-ANON or ALA-Teen) groups were shut down for in-person meetings. Video conferencing became mainstream. However, families that relied on this in-person support were left by the wayside. Typically, support is challenging  to accomplish in text messages, social media chats and the like. At the same time, technology was new to so many not working in corporate America and it took some time to work out all the challenges. While these efforts to stay connected were laudable, many remained isolated and felt the fabric of their families weaken without help and guidance.

Family Support Remains Essential for Recovery

One of the cornerstones of Simple Path Recovery has always been family therapy for clients and their families. In family therapy, we teach teamwork, collaboration, and the belief that the family unit can and should operate well for everyone’s benefit. Family therapy highlights how essential clear messaging is and relates potential pitfalls. In this approach, families and friends learn what influences their conduct and how certain actions can affect the whole family. When one member is struggling with a problem, they may be shocked to uncover out how their individual battle has actually affected everyone that is close to them. Consequently, the family can discover healthier approaches to care for that person. Simple Path and their team of addiction professionals are excited to embark on this new chapter where technology will help them to support families more effectively.

For more information regarding monthly family support group via Zoom, please contact Colt Crowser – Alumni Director at 954-790-8178 or Colt@SimplePathRecovery.Net.

What Are the Risk Factors of Substance Abuse?

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the American Medical Association have identified addiction as a brain disease. In particular, it’s a condition that results in functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control. This is a common perception expanded upon by most in behavioral health, mental health, and general medicine. When assessing whether someone is predisposed to substance abuse because a blood relation suffers from it, it’s essential to recognize the full context of all contributing risk factors.

The three remaining important risk factors include:

• Biological

  According to the NIDA, genes and environmental conditions on gene expression signify a range of 40–to–60 percent of a person's addiction risk. At the same time, there are five mental health disorders that can be hereditary: ADHD, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia. Left untreated, mental illness is often a major contributor for substance abuse. For this reason, most reputable addiction treatment centers offer dual diagnosis care. It is also widely accepted in data that men have a higher incidence of drug addiction than women.

• Environmental

  Early childhood development within a family suffering active addiction increases a person’s risk for substance use disorder. For example, children exposed to unsafe circumstances and family member drug abuse typically suffer more behavioral problems, which frequently leads to alcohol and drug experimentation. At the same time, friends and peer social groups are strong influencers, especially for middle school and high school teens. Even if a teen doesn’t have a genetic bias, the need to fit in, lack of adult surveillance, deficient social skills, and low socioeconomic position are key indicators to a person’s risk of addiction.

• Trauma

  Studies show that individuals who have suffered through a traumatic event have a larger risk of substance abuse and addiction. Much the same as mental illness, untreated trauma diminishes a person’s ability to cope with life’s stressors. This group of people are more likely to use drugs and alcohol as a means to handle life’s challenges or to suppress painful memories. Because trauma can be so wide-ranging with varying degrees of physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, it is vital to treat patients with specially trained trauma informed therapy. This is done in conjunction with substance abuse treatment.

At the end of the day, hereditary susceptibility is just one risk factor for substance abuse. However, it is an important one that each family should be mindful of in order to prevent substance abuse. Generally, it’s a collision of risk factors that leads to substance abuse and addiction. Once a person’s brain chemistry and function are distorted by addiction, any combination of behavior, social environment, and biology will need to be remedied for a complete addiction recovery.

The Family Program at Simple Path Recovery

In our family therapy program, family members can share their feelings about their loved one’s addiction and any associated behavioral health concerns. This can be done in-person or take place in emerging telehealth environs. By bringing concerns and resentments out into the open, old examples of behavior are recognized, and new trust is gained. Family therapy is similar to group therapy. Sessions are run by a licensed, professional family therapist, and any family members are invited to join and actively participate. Once things are discussed in a sensitive and meaningful way, understanding and healing can now begin.

Whatever you do, please don't avoid the problem of addiction in your family. Addiction can devastate families before you know it. Like most progressive diseases, addiction will not get better on its own. It needs to be treated and the family can be restored in our Florida family therapy program. Call us today at 855-467-3625. We can help you and your family overcome substance abuse and addiction.

Simple Path Recovery is a beach side, boutique addiction treatment center located in Pompano Beach, FL. Recognized as a Top Florida Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Simple Path is committed to individualized care, 12-step integration, and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). Their addiction helpline is available 24/7 at 855-467-3625.

About the Author
Matthew Koenig is the principal of Last Call Marketing, which devotes their efforts to Digital Marketing, Content Marketing, Website Design and SEO, primarily in healthcare and tourism concerns. Mr. Koenig is based out of South Florida. His sober date is June 10, 2013.

Family Therapy for Addiction Treatment

What precisely goes into a family addiction program? First, it’s important to know that personal relationships can make or break a recovery. For example, if family members are encouraging, studies show that their loved one has a better chance at getting sober and progressing toward long-term sobriety after addiction treatment.  At the same time, negative reinforcement creates hopelessness. Typically, families will have therapy sessions with their loved one to get everyone on the same page. In this way, the family therapist will evaluate the family landscape and later,  speak with family members individually.

The therapist evaluates how the family members communicate with one another, which will predictably shed light on some of the interpersonal issues. By learning about their patterns and behaviors, the therapist will work to strategize the best plan moving forward. It is also important that the group agree to set aside their strongest opinions and truly listen to one another. Herein lies the path for  healing and transformation. Family members are also encouraged to seek individual counseling or further group counseling to discover ways to be caring and supportive during an addict’s time of need. The therapist will also set boundaries and ground rules for group and direct individual communication. This gets everyone out of their comfort zone of predisposed thoughts and challenges them not to judge, but rather work together.

Family Therapy Has the Whole Family Learning
 

Family therapy teaches teamwork and the belief that the family unit can and should work well for all involved. Moreover, it displays how crucial clear communication is and discloses where some of the pitfalls lie. With this in mind, families and clients together learn what causes their behavior and how specific behavior affects the whole family. When one member is struggling with a problem, they may be shocked to find out how their individual battle has actually inflicted the entire family. When they reach this understanding, the family can help them uncover better ways to support that person.

Family therapists employ an active participatory method for their therapy. Family members are likely given assignments to complete that will help them understand what is happening and the responsibility they have. Changes in strategy can be discussed and the therapist is there to make sure that all voices are heard.

New Telehealth for Continuing Family Care