Substance abuse doesn’t just affect the addicted person; it affects everyone around them. Issues like broken communication, ignored responsibilities, and deceptive behaviors can severely damage relationships with spouses, parents, siblings, and children. Part of a good recovery treatment plan is learning to rebuild family relationships and navigate them in healthier ways.
At Del Arroyo Recovery Center in Southern California, we focus on providing holistic, big-picture treatment. In addition to addressing clients’ addiction and mental illness, we offer valuable therapy and support to their families throughout the process. Our goal is to set people up for long-lasting recovery, and that includes creating healthy habits and bonds that will make family life better after rehab.
The Importance of Family Support During Addiction Treatment
Family relationships are some of the most important bonds a person can have. If they’re good, they can help us succeed and feel fulfilled. If they’re bad, they can cause deep emotional and psychological pain. When overcoming a drug or alcohol addiction, family involvement and a supportive environment provide powerful motivation and encouragement.
When family members have been hurt by addiction, it can be hard to forgive or trust again. Just like the addiction affects the family, family dynamics can affect the addiction. Emotional distress, financial issues, infighting, and other problems can be triggers for substance use, further contributing to the cycle.
With family therapy, loved ones can work through family and addiction issues together and create healthier bonds. Even when relationships are good, a family program can teach them the best ways to support their loved one during and after treatment.
Del Arroyo Recovery Center’s Approach to Family Therapy
Our approach to family therapy is one that prioritizes empathy, safety, and communication. Our therapists create a safe, supportive space where clients and their families can share their thoughts and feelings without it turning into a fight. All are encouraged to consider each other’s perspectives, as well as how their words and actions affect one another. If there are co-occurring disorders, families can learn more about each mental health diagnosis and how to help their loved one manage it.
Communication skills are a key part of our Agoura Hills counseling programs, as they help families function better and increase clients’ chances of long-term success. When they can properly communicate their needs and feelings, they don’t have to struggle with decisions or turn to unhealthy habits.
Our Family Counseling Strategy
In our Agoura Hills family therapy program, our therapists focus on several key goals:
- Building effective communication skills: These include the ability to express thoughts, feelings, and needs clearly and calmly reduces confusion and conflict, making it easier to navigate problems in family relationships.
- Creating a safe and sober home environment: Family members should be prepared to support their loved one by creating a safe, substance-free household that promotes good mental health.
- Improving family links and bonds: Creating healthier family bonds helps heal past issues and promotes better future relationships. This reduces stress, preventing relapse and helping the family function better overall.
- Rebuilding trust in relationships: Trust is often one of the first things to be broken in a relationship affected by addiction. In therapy sessions, clients and family learn to take accountability and practice being open and honest in order to build a healthy, trusting relationship again.
At Our Los Angeles County Facility, We Help Families Heal Together
Family therapy is crucial to healing family relationships affected by addiction, and our Los Angeles treatment services are designed to truly meet families’ emotional and psychological needs. Our professional Agoura Hills therapists use evidence-based treatment methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), and other holistic therapies (music therapy, couples therapy, motivational therapy, etc.). Families learn to use healthy coping mechanisms, set appropriate boundaries, and provide helpful support throughout their loved one’s recovery.
If you or a family member are struggling with a substance use disorder, we can help you end the cycle and rebuild strong, healthy relationships.
Contact us today to learn more about our detox services and behavioral therapies or to talk to an admissions specialist.