Understanding Addiction and Impact on the Family
Why is family therapy important
- Addiction affects the family as much as the addict – they too need help.
- Families often develop a dysfunctional pattern of behaviour – they are unable to recover without active intervention.
- Families can facilitate the recovery process – they need to be sensitized.
- Families can and must change irrespective of the addict’s recovery – they need to be empowered to go beyond merely coping with the problem.
The objective of the Family Programme
- To provide information about addiction and its impact on the family
- To help provide a safe environment to express their feelings and resolve their problems
- To recognize their dysfunctional traits and change
- To understand recovery as a process and extend the right support to the recovering person
Family Therapy Components
- Reflection on a thought for the day – to introduce the concept
- Lecture sessions – to provide information about addiction and family recovery
- Group therapy – to discuss issues and resolve problems in a group
- Individual counseling sessions – to develop an individual recovery plan
- Family support group meetings – to work on recovery on a long term basis
Family Therapy helps family members to
- Improve level of self care
- Fulfil one’s own responsibilities
- Establish meaningful relationships with family and others
- Develop spiritual strength
- Feel valued and worthwhile irrespective of the patient’s recovery
- Work on their own recovery which can eventually influence patient’s recovery from addiction
- Provide appropriate kind of support to the patient