Addressing addiction is one of the most challenging components of receiving substance abuse treatment for family and friends of drug and/or alcohol dependent people. Family engagement in approaching addiction therapy, however, can frequently be the most significant step in persuading a patient to seek substance misuse treatment, which is something that should be understood by families.

Addressing addiction is one of the most challenging components of receiving substance abuse treatment for family members and friends of drug- and/or alcohol-dependent people. Drug and alcohol treatment centers in TN that accept Ambetter insurance have regular family contact actually helps the addict. Family members frequently avoid bringing up the subject of addiction therapy out of concern that they will alienate their loved one during a confrontation or intervention. These are valid worries, and while families should recognize that contacting a loved one should be a delicate and loving process, they also need to recognize that the majority of patients seek substance misuse treatment as a result of supportive family participation and intervention.

Prior to Substance Abuse Treatment/Intervention

Each family is different, and the way you should approach family involvement with addiction therapy will differ with every person. For those which are seeking effective Tennessee addiction treatment services, there are counselors in your area who are trained to work with drug and alcohol addicted patients and their families, and while they can be useful to mediate the intervention process, your family may decide to have a private, non-confrontational and honest talk with a family member or friend to implore them to seek substance abuse treatment. Whichever approach you take, it is important to understand that the family dynamic in drug and alcohol addiction is incredibly powerful, and that addressing an unhealthy imbalance in communication is your first step in moving your loved one toward inpatient / outpatient addiction therapy. This type of positive family involvement can also help lead the rest of your family toward a journey of recovery and self-discovery.

During a Patient's Substance Abuse Treatment Program

After an intervention, the best case scenario is that the individual suffering from drug or alcohol addiction will be compelled to enter either an inpatient or outpatient substance abuse treatment program. Each patient's needs and means are different, and outpatient and inpatient programs have varying benefits for patients and family. Involvement in an outpatient addiction therapy program means that patients are not separated from their families, they are able to attend classes in a facility close to their home, and patients can continue substance abuse treatment for an extended amount of time. In a residential (inpatient) program, patients travel to a facility where they undergo an intensive 28-30 day detoxification and recovery program. They are immersed in the recovery process and do not have the ability to leave the substance abuse treatment campus. However, family involvement is important, and inpatient addiction therapy programs often encourage frequent interaction with visiting family and friends.

As previously mentioned, patients' needs vary, but inpatient substance abuse treatment has an obvious benefit of removing the drug and/or alcohol addicted individual from the toxic atmosphere that was enabling their addiction, and helping them through addiction therapy without distraction. This same benefit is transferred to the patient's friends and family, who are often able to gain a new perspective about their loved one's addiction and their own behaviors. Family involvement, once the patient is in an off-site substance abuse treatment facility, is periodic and helps families step back and recognize patterns of negative behavior. For example, well-meaning family and friends often become trapped into a cycle of enabling and codependency with the patient prior to addiction therapy. Often, family members pretend like nothing is wrong, and unintentionally assist the patient's addiction by ignoring the problem. Conversely, family members might become distant, angry, and resentful by feeling that they cannot address the issue for fear of angering the patient or exacerbating their loved one's addiction. When the family members are able to take a break and assess their behaviors and environment while their loved one is undergoing addiction therapy, they often identify behaviors and traits that they adjust to break the cycle.