Recovery and the Family

Alcohol and/or drug abuse recovery is often seen as an individual struggle.  But did you know that family engagement during the recovery process can actually significantly increase the likelihood of positive recovery outcomes?  Substance abuse can lead users to experience isolation and shame, but having direct family involvement in recovery can make support for the recovering client so much broader and more meaningful than peer or professional support alone.

So if you’re a concerned family member of a substance abuser, how can you best support your family member through their recovery journey?  Firstly, educate yourself on addiction and recovery so you are more actively able to engage with and understand your family member’s recovery process.  Most importantly, be able to recognize typical signs and triggers for relapse so that you can support your family member in getting additional support as soon as possible as these signs present themselves.  Additionally, understanding recovery vocabulary can assist you with communicating more effectively with your family member as they undergo their recovery process.

Secondly, do not continue to enable your family member within their addiction.  This means not only being firm about the substance use in and of itself, but also understanding and setting clear boundaries around behaviors such as lying or isolative habits surrounding the use as well.  Develop assertive communication skills in order to communicate support firmly, but kindly.

Lastly, be willing to offer safe spaces to your family member as they continue to work on their recovery.  Find activities you can do together that don’t involve the use of substances.  Try to avoid having substances readily available in the house.  Be willing to listen to your family member discuss their recovery journey without judgment or anxiety.  Hold them accountable for their actions, but do not engage in shame or blame.

Assisting a family member through substance abuse recovery can be very challenging, especially when you have been negatively affected by the family member’s substance use and behaviors around their use.  It is always important to seek support in these instances and there are several resources available to family members of recovering substance abusers that I would encourage you to make use of, Al Anon being the most well known of these resources.  Creating a safe and supportive environment for yourself and your family member can create the best possible scenario for everyone’s long term wellness.