A healthy support group is a crucial aspect in a recovering addict’s life. In order to cope, sometimes families unknowingly take on roles to help overcome the dysfunction. Here at Multi Concept Recovery, we understand that addiction may not only be hard on individuals, but it may also be hard on families. We have provided information about how these family support groups can help. Anyone who has been directly or indirectly affected by someone’s substance abuse can benefit from a family addiction support group!
What Are Support Groups for Families of Drug Addicts?
Support groups for families of drug addicts is a support group that focuses on the families that are affected by substance abuse. Family addiction support groups help not only the addict cope with their addiction, but also helps provide the family with peace of mind and coping skills for dealing with their family member’s addiction. These support groups can provide information about the addiction, resources to help and cope with the addiction, and can also provide a safe place to discuss with other people what they, as an individual, is going through. This group can help show the family that there are other people out there that are going through the same thing, and expressing the same emotions. They don’t have to be alone in the process.
How Family Addiction Support Groups Help
Support groups for family members of drug addicts help in many different ways. These support groups help all sorts of family members ranging from parents, spouses, children, and even siblings.
- Significant others – Significant others struggle with providing support sometimes due to dysfunction and creating/adopting new coping skills. These support groups can be helpful in providing significant others a safe place where they can express their fears, find new ways to interact with family members and find comfort within the process of recovery.
- Parents or legal guardians – Some parents/guardians blame themselves for their child’s addiction. They themselves may try to fix their child’s situation. These support groups help parents understand that there are more parents/guardians out there that blame themselves for their child’s addiction and that it is not their fault.
- Children – Children of parents may have a plethora of emotions, whether that be guilt, shame, or even fear. These family support groups help the children of these addicted parents understand more about what their parents are going through. This group can also help children realize that kids their own age are going through the same thing as them.
- Siblings – Although siblings are not always discussed when it comes to addiction treatment, they can feel the same guilt and shame that other family members feel when their sibling is suffering from an addiction. This support group can help provide these siblings with information, resources, coping skills, and more.
Finding a support group that meets the needs of each family member is important for their mental health and their coping skills. These groups also help family members learn what enabling is. There is a fine line between helping an addict and enabling their behavior. Enablement is way more common than one suspects. The main thing to keep in mind is when you enable an addict’s behavior, you may think you’re helping them, but shielding someone from the consequences of their actions doesn’t help them beat their drug addiction.
The Importance of Family Addiction Support Groups
Our families are one of the main support systems within an individual’s life. Support groups for families of drug addicts help provide peace of mind for the individual in knowing that they are not going through process alone. It is important for families to provide a safe and sober environment for the individual going through addiction.
A strong family unit is crucial for a family support system, and with each family member working to help each other, this can provide a healthy recovery environment. Having a healthy, and sober environment for the client is so important, so when each family member contributes to this sober environment, it can be a game changer.
How Multi Concept Recovery Can Help
At Multi Concept Recovery, we offer comprehensive addiction treatment programs. Within these resources, we provide family education and counseling opportunities for families. This way families can support, understand, and learn from their family member’s addiction. Please contact us today if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction!
