THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS IN ADDICTION RECOVERY
Some researchers define addiction as a family disease, and they are certainly not far from the truth. There is a specific emotional journey which each member of the family and friends have to go through, all through the process of their loved one’s addiction.
However, it would interest you to know that, if these two categories of people are utilized, they have an essential role to play in the addiction recovery of their loved one.
It is easy for any random person to ignore when you are addicted, but the case is different with family and friends. No matter how hard they try, they find it unable to let go. This is why there are often conflicts between the addicted individual and his or her family. Hence, there is an important need for a counselor to step in.
What a counselor would do, is to set up an intervention meeting, where he or she would explain to the family and friends of the individual, all they need to know about addiction, and how it affects their loved ones. The counselor would also explain to them the disadvantage of their addicted member not having their support when it is most needed.
When it comes to addiction treatment programs for addiction, there are two types, and they feature the role of family and friends. They are inpatient and outpatient therapy. For inpatient therapy, the addicted individual receives treatment within a facility, and the person would be required to live within the confines of the facility all through the expected time frame of the treatment.
A good number of times, inpatient therapy lasts minimum of a month and even more. During this time, it is difficult to let go of family members and friends. Hence, they are allowed to visit from time to time, in order to show support. However, they would only be allowed into the facility if they have been confirmed to be sober.
For outpatient addiction treatment, it is quite milder. The person receives treatment at a local facility, and they take various classes, but still return home to their families.