Addiction: It’s All in the Family

Whether an addict is in denial of his or her disease or facing addiction recovery, family plays an important role. A great source of love, strength and support, the family is a force to be thankful for. At some point in a 12 step recovery program, it becomes clear to the addict that addiction is a disease suffered and survived by both the addict and the addict’s family; but addiction affects a family long before recovery begins. In fact, family members may not even realize how much the addiction has affected them.

Unintended Consequences on Family

• Physical:Addicts may love their families more than life itself, but it’s often under the influence of an addictive substance that physical abuse occurs. The addict may not even remember committing an abusive act. Additionally, family members may suffer sleep deprivation, headaches, digestive trouble and serious illness due to the stress of having an addict in their lives.
• Emotional/Spiritual:Those close to the addict often suffer depression and anxiety. Watching a loved one self-destruct can even cause a loss of faith. At a time when God offers unconditional love, help and guidance, He gets left out. Yet the power of faith is immeasurable when it comes to recovery.
• Financial:The cost of dependency invariably usurps the family budget. Families may find themselves forgoing basic needs or suffering more dramatic losses; homes are lost, college becomes unaffordable, and savings vanish.

• Other: Addiction and addiction recovery are unintentionally fraught with dysfunction. Deciding if and how to assist an addict, or considering whether to leave or stay with the addict, can take a toll on family members.

Recovery, Together

The good news is that addiction recovery is possible. There is hope! Addicts must first admit that they are powerless over their addictions; it is a family disease. Help is available from doctors, psychologists, therapists, clergy and recovery programs. Families can help addicts by lovingly supporting them without judgment, developing better communication skills, not enabling the addict through codependency, not engaging in denial or blame, and by getting help for themselves. There are myriad supportive communities and 12 step recovery programs available to addicts and their families, including AA, Al-Anon, Alateen, Nar-Anon and others. What works for one family may not be the right solution for another. It’s appropriate to seek the kind of help that is best for you. Most importantly, remember that the battle against addiction can be won — together.